My cats are fightning like Cats & Cats! Help!

Everyone (2 girls, 2 boys) are constantly hissing and spitting at eachother. The girls have claw marks on their noses. The boys are always chasing eachother out of a cetain room. What is happening?

There is no harmony in my house.. only when I am not home there is. I have looked in the window before and have seen them napping together but when I come home all hell breaks loose.

When you come home, is it your habit to feed right away? Cats can get nasty to otherwise best friends when there is food around. Kind of like kids. How long have they been housemates? Are they spayed and neutered? My cats who get along pretty well, start getting antsy when it is time for food.

Hi! I free feed them dry all day, they only eat wet in the morning. The 2 girls have been with me since babies they are 4 now. Milo is 2.5 been with me since a baby BUT, I just got another cat (Boy) who's was has been with me for only 5 months (after the girls brother passed). They are all spayed and neutered. Is there anything I can do to create harmony? I use that "calming spray" but they still act up!

I give them all the same attention time.. think they are jealous of me touching the other? It's getting crazy these days!

Is Boy fairly young? Your other cats are older and more settled but if Boy is mixing it up, wanting to play when the others don't that could be a problem. I had a cat for a couple of months and I thought all was fine, until I saw him go after one of my long term guys. Your 3 have been together so long, but not Boy. That may be where the problem lies. If it is, the only thing that will help is time. He needs time to grow up and realize that the others are older and more set in their ways. Try to see who is instigating the problem. It seems that since they all sleep together and get on fine while you are gone, you coming home is the problem. Maybe try having a handful of special treats ready when you walk in the door to re direct them in a better direction. Other than that, I can't really offer much more. Keep your eyes open and give it more time would be my best advice. Sorry, cats are from another planet sometimes!

Until recently I had a mostly harmonious home. This past spring we had some sort of incident when I wasn't home. Well I ended up separating & reintroducing slowly, always making sure interactions were positive. It took 1-2 weeks before I could sleep with out separating them & about a month before I was comfortable leaving everyone mixing when I wasn't home. We still had some random issues, but now it is like nothing ever happend. I am in a small 1 bedroom so I ended up borrowing a cage. I was lucky as my 1 female wasn't involved, so the boys could rotate taking turns out with her. I would then keep 1 in the bathroom, 1 in a cage in the bedroom & the other boy out with the girl. I'd come home & rotate. The next morning I'd rotate again. Yes it was a pain, but a lot less painfull than the damage that was being done to each other. (Jordan has a goofy ear now because in one fight he got bit so bad he had a hematoma in his ear.)

I agree. That may work. I've known there have been problems once in a while while I have been out. That can freak them for a while. Yes, a lot of work, but as you say, better than being beat up!

Farleyv - I think you are onto something here... Boy is on 1 year 3 months old. He is a recent adoptee. The others have been together since young and the house was good. Do you think Boy does not know his boundaries and the others are trying to tell him to back off? Now that you mention that it has got me thinking about the recent dynamics of the house.

Boy will sleep on Fluf's bed, On Spookahontas' chair, on Milo's couch when those specific places are theirs, always have been respected by the other cat's of who's stuff is who's. Then, here comes Boy thinking he can do whatever at will. This is probably the issue huh? The others are feeling violated meanwhile, Boy is just loving the face that he has a house ... no longer in a shelter!

Or should I go with Rang's advice? Try that?

I keep going back to the fact that they sleep together well. It is in the excitement of you returning that chaos breaks out. My guys are happy to see me, but are old and settled. Your guy can't curb his enthusiasm and it does not play well with your other cats. Rang has good points and it may come to that for you. I think you have to look at when the change started and obviously,it began with the new kitty. He is full of mischief and as you say, happy to be out of the shelter. You can't blame him, he is being a cat. Try going out for short periods of time. Put him in a room with a new bed that is all his. He will use it and his scent will be on it. Then when you come home, go in and greet him quietly first. Set up a routine of quiet, calm greetings. Then transfer bed to open area. Keep up short trips and greetings. If things don't start to settle down as he gets a few weeks or months older, I would go with Rang's advice. Keep us posted. This is a challenge!

When Leo passed away I think things started to change (5 months ago) and I quickly brought Boy into the house because I felt like Milo was depressed since the girls don't play with him. I will try something things with him = the bed change and take Rang's advice if it comes to that... thank you!

Originally Posted by MTBee

When Leo passed away I think things started to change (5 months ago) and I quickly brought Boy into the house because I felt like Milo was depressed since the girls don't play with him. I will try something things with him = the bed change and take Rang's advice if it comes to that... thank you!

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I think when cats pass & other cats come in it does throw off their power balance. I often wonder if some of the problems I had this passt spring were because Jordan had been sick & just let Isaac do what he wanted for 2 years. Then when Jordan felt better I wonder if he was trying to take the house back. I wish you luck & sending get along vibes to the kitties.