Help

I have two cats that I've had for eight years. Hook and Opus. Hook got his foot caught and went howling through the house and his brother went to him and they started to fight and haven't stopped. Hook has been really hurt before and Opus went to him they would start I stopped them took Hook to the vet and everything was fine. But this time Hook wasn't injured just hurt and now he goes after Opus with a vengence. I took them to the Vet, they're healthy. I keep them in seperate rooms and swap them. They use the same cat boxes, eat from the same bowls, sleep in the same spot as the other. The vet prescribed Amitriptyline, I tried Vanilla. Every time they get in the same room it always ends up the same fur flying, spraying. I must be doing something wrong, everyone says they should be getting back together but they don't. They use to sleep in the same chair on a cold night sit in my lap together does anyone have any sugestions?

Which cat took the dominate role before Hook's injury? Are both cats neutered? When Hook was really hurt before, did Opus attack him?

~gf~

Both cats are neutered, Hook is the dominate one. Opus didn't attack Hook took a defense position interperting Opus' move as an attack. At least that's how I looked at it.

how long has it been since this happened?

i am dealing with reIntroducing my older cat who has been sick for a few weeks and thusly separated, and my six month old newbie. they had worked something out nicely, but now older kitty GROWLS. so, i'm taking it slow.

anyways, what's the time scale? I think I tend to try to rush the 'getting together', when it just takes longer for them to work stuff out....

I have been dealing with this since the third week in August. I think this is a unique case. If it was just a growl and not an all out assault The three weeks everyone says is about average would be a good guess. Patience is the only tool you have to survive.
Rick

Originally Posted by TwoBlkCats

Both cats are neutered, Hook is the dominate one. Opus didn't attack Hook took a defense position interperting Opus' move as an attack. At least that's how I looked at it.

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OK, that's how I interpreted what I read ... but you know how this goes, the written word leaves so much out at times.

My gut feeling is as yours ... Hook interpreted Opus' coming to him (ostensibly to protect or comfort him is what I am thinking) quickly as an offensive action. Now he sees Opus as a threat and feels he must protect himself because he perceives himself to be weaker since his injury.

I think Hook is just trying to protect his status as alpha and with time, patience and maybe a little Feliway and some Rescue Remedy to calm things down a bit, your guys ought to be OK, but give Hook some extra quality time for a while away from Opus. He must be frightened right now.

Keep up the good work Rick - you are doing fine. Remember to breathe and please, don't hesitate to keep us up to date on this. Cat behavior intrigues me and I really do consider myself to be an almost life-time student of it.

Yours,

Gaye

Originally Posted by satchi77

how long has it been since this happened?

i am dealing with reIntroducing my older cat who has been sick for a few weeks and thusly separated, and my six month old newbie. they had worked something out nicely, but now older kitty GROWLS. so, i'm taking it slow.

anyways, what's the time scale? I think I tend to try to rush the 'getting together', when it just takes longer for them to work stuff out....

Click to expand...

Have you tried making them smell alike? I know a lot of people say not to use perfume, but if you do it correctly, you aren't depositing anything but the scent from your hands ... it has never harmed a cat when I have employed this method in the past. If you are uncomfortable with using perfume, then try a really smelly food extract - vanilla is the one most recommended.

~gf~

Are they spraying your home? If you don't get rid of the cat urine (use a black light to find it all and an enzyme remover to get rid of it) just the presence of that odor will put these two into a tense mode.

You can also email our cat behaviorist Wendy- she will be able to help you as well-

[email protected]

I'm not an expert but I wouldn't call it spraying as much as loosing control. It always occurs during the fight, it appears to be Opus and has been number one and number two which is always fun. I use an odor remover I bought at the pet store. It works for my nose. I'll try the black light. Thanks