fighting cat

cacorn · Jul 10, 2005

We have two cats that have been together since we adopted them six years ago. The male, George, is large (18 lbs) and neutered, the female, Zart, is 7 pounds and was not spayed. They are indoor cats and have no contact with others. The have always gotten along very well, though Zart is probably more dominant.
Recently, this happened twice: Zart attacked George is a very aggressive manner - really fighting, not playing or play-fighting. Each time, something triggered it. The first time, I accidentally stepped on George's tail, he yowled, and Zart went after him. Today, a bug ran across the floor, both cats started after it, but then my wife screamed when she saw it. Zart again went after George.
Although I separated them and she seemed to calm down, a few hours later when George approached her, she attacked him again.
Help! What's going on?
Thank you.

tnr1 · Jul 10, 2005

Originally Posted by cacorn

We have two cats that have been together since we adopted them six years ago. The male, George, is large (18 lbs) and neutered, the female, Zart, is 7 pounds and was not spayed. They are indoor cats and have no contact with others. The have always gotten along very well, though Zart is probably more dominant.
Recently, this happened twice: Zart attacked George is a very aggressive manner - really fighting, not playing or play-fighting. Each time, something triggered it. The first time, I accidentally stepped on George's tail, he yowled, and Zart went after him. Today, a bug ran across the floor, both cats started after it, but then my wife screamed when she saw it. Zart again went after George.
Although I separated them and she seemed to calm down, a few hours later when George approached her, she attacked him again.
Help! What's going on?
Thank you.

Have you taken the cats to the vet to rule out anything medical?

Katie

coaster · Jul 10, 2005

Separating them when this happens is the right thing to do. When a cat gets spooked by something, sometimes they take it out on the nearest cat. And if they aren't separated long enough for the stimulus to wear off, they do the same thing over again, and it's kind of a self-reinforcing behavior. Try keeping them separated for a good 24 hours, and then reintroduce them with something pleasant and enjoyable for them, like some interactive playtime or treats when they're near each other. Serious cases of this are called "redirected aggression", but I don't think from your description that you're that far, yet.

Of course, this is all assuming there's no health reason for the behavior.

hissy · Jul 10, 2005

Get your female spayed, or the attacks could accelerate-

maherwoman · Jul 10, 2005

Originally Posted by cacorn

We have two cats that have been together since we adopted them six years ago. The male, George, is large (18 lbs) and neutered, the female, Zart, is 7 pounds and was not spayed. They are indoor cats and have no contact with others. The have always gotten along very well, though Zart is probably more dominant.
Recently, this happened twice: Zart attacked George is a very aggressive manner - really fighting, not playing or play-fighting. Each time, something triggered it. The first time, I accidentally stepped on George's tail, he yowled, and Zart went after him. Today, a bug ran across the floor, both cats started after it, but then my wife screamed when she saw it. Zart again went after George.
Although I separated them and she seemed to calm down, a few hours later when George approached her, she attacked him again.
Help! What's going on?
Thank you.

My first thought...sounds like Zart heard something that scared and confused her and didn't know what to do about it. Sounds a bit like a cat that's losing his vision, so you might want to get her checked out.

One thing that might be at play here is the fact that she's not spayed. How old is she?? Has she ever been in heat??

Let me know, if you could...and I can answer your question more thoroughly.

cacorn · Jul 10, 2005

Thanks, everyone.
She seems otherwise healthy, but of course I will have her checked out.
She's about six years old, so has been in heat many times - in fact, she just finished a "session."
We do plan to get her spayed ASAP, as well.

Craig

fighting cat

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