My two cats are brother and sister and are three years old. They were best buds up until two months ago. There was a huge fight that we thought was caused by female redirecting aggression after seeing neighbour cat. However, now it seems like male might be the aggressor. Usually happens in the same spot. We have done the reintroduction thing went ok for two weeks then fight happened again. The femake is on meds. They can both be fine and together all day and then all of a sudden they gave a stare down. We have been abke to stop it before ut escalates but its stressful. Help.....
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Cats used to be best buds...
- Thread starter kerrylea
- Start Date
Hi @kerrylea and welcome to TCS!
You say that the female is on meds.. is that because of this or for another issue?
How often is it happening? It's interesting that is usually happens in the same place. Where is that?
Sorry about all the questions, but the more we know the more perhaps we'll be able to help.
You say that the female is on meds.. is that because of this or for another issue?
How often is it happening? It's interesting that is usually happens in the same place. Where is that?
Sorry about all the questions, but the more we know the more perhaps we'll be able to help.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
Hi
Yes the female was put on anti anxiety meds fir 30 days fir this and now they are trying her on amytriptyline. It usually happens in our rec room near their scratching post. The big fights only once before the meds and once after but we have broken up a few times where they were posturing to get in a fight. This started for the first time mid June. I am going out today to get another scratching post. We also have Feliway diffusers throughout the house.
Yes the female was put on anti anxiety meds fir 30 days fir this and now they are trying her on amytriptyline. It usually happens in our rec room near their scratching post. The big fights only once before the meds and once after but we have broken up a few times where they were posturing to get in a fight. This started for the first time mid June. I am going out today to get another scratching post. We also have Feliway diffusers throughout the house.
Cats remember negative experiences by association, so they are associating that room with the fight. Every time they are in that room, it triggers the aggression. Maybe try giving them treats when they enter that room to reverse the negative association. Cats also excrete a foul smell when they are afraid and the scent may still be in that room. If you could clean it with an enzyme cleaner to remove it, that would help. I know what you're going through as I have been there.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #5
My two are still separated, unfortunately. My male was with a friend for a few months and I just brought him back home. I had hoped the absence would soften the relationship, but his sister (the victim) continues to hiss if she smells him under the door. It's going to be a long process. I think in your case, it will be easier since they have not been separated for a long time. I am going to try Elavil (anti-anxiety med) on both before I do the visual reintroductions. Right now, I put a little melatonin in their food to keep them calm. It seems to help, but as I said, they have not been in each other's presence for months. I have no idea how this will turn out, but love them both equally, so will make it work one way or another. Ideally, if they could coexist without fighting, I'll be happy. Keep us posted on your progress, and try not to get discouraged. One day at a time.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #7
It's weird cause my cats can be in the same room together and will nap together and groom one another but then it seems that room sets them off but not everytime. I hope things works out for you. We had the female on elavil first and just switched to amytriptyline. Her personality was definitely different on elavil but not too sedated.
