Why are my two older cats fighting

elisaqa

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I have two male neutered cats. A four year old and a nine year old. They are both house cats. They have never fought until this weekend. I've had to separate them the last two nights. Everytime they see each other they are both hissing, growling, and screaming. It sounds like they're going to kill each other. It's very disturbing. Is this normal? What can I do? Will they hurt each other?
 

mschauer

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One of them may be ill. If they aren't feeling well they may "turn" on a friend cat just because they want to be left alone.

Can you tell if one of them is starting the quarrel and the other is just reacting to that?
 
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elisaqa

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It appears it's the younger one who is starting the fights when the older one approaches. The minute they see each other their ears go back and their eyes narrow.
 

pami

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It really could be several things. If one of the cats is ill they will smell differently to the each other. It could be redirected aggression from seeing another cat outside in their territory. It could a territotial thing between them.

I would suggest that you have a health check for both of them. Cats hide sickness very well, so its not always obvious there is even a health issue.

If you find that they are both ok healthwise, I would suggest you separate them and reintroduce them as they are new to each other.

Here are some things with some helpful info to help you help them .........

Stopping Cat Aggression

Introducing new cats to old
 

mschauer

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Originally Posted by elisaqa

It appears it's the younger one who is starting the fights when the older one approaches. The minute they see each other their ears go back and their eyes narrow.
Is the younger cat behaving differently in any other way? Is he hiding, more quiet than normal or anything? If so, he may need to be checked by a vet.

Has anything else changed in the household lately? Is there a new cat, new human, has someone left?

Redirected aggression can also cause a cat to turn on a friend. If he is seeing a strange cat through a window and wants to attack it but can't, he may take his aggression out on his friend.
 

goldenkitty45

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Could be a few reasons: (you have to play Sherlock Holmes
)

1. One (or both) may be sick internally - schedule a vet exam for both.

2. There may have been another strange cat outside who could have sprayed around the house and set the inside cats off.

3. Try sprinkling them both with cornstarch (not talc) baby powder and rub it in. Or try vanilla extract on their nose/butt to smell the same.

4. Wash both of them in the same shampoo (again, to smell the same).

I'm sure one of those would work. Let us know if things calm down soon.
 
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elisaqa

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The fighting started when the older cat saw another cat outside. I came into the room and closed the wondows. This usual stops him from howling and slamming himself against the window. The next thing I heard was him screaming at my younger cat.

From my research it appears to be redirected aggression. It's been three nights now and they're still fighting. I have kept them separated during the night but the minute I open the doors, the older one starts hunting for the younger one. The minute the younger one spots the older one, he starts to growl and the fight is on.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stop this misdirected aggression. Please help, I'm starting to get desparate.
 
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