Former best friends suddenly fighting & 1 cries a lot

[formermermaid]

Hi everyone, I'm writing for my brother, he has 3 cats, all neutered or spayed. 2 males are about 4 years old, he adopted them together as kittens and they've always gotten along great, grooming each other, sleeping together, etc. They were like best buddies, it was heartwarming to see them together. His third cat came along as a stray about 2 years ago and after a brief initial period of hissing and swatting she seems to have been integrated fine into the family. In the last month or so the behavior of the males has changed, they no longer get along and do a lot of hissing, chasing and what looks like real fighting till he breaks them up by yelling at them. So far no blood. The female remains detached from the action and just looks on from the sidelines. Also, one of the males has taken to spending most of his time (when he's not scrapping with his housemate) in an upstairs bedroom where he cries loudly and long. Also, the one crying one seems to be on the receiving end of most of the aggression, not the instigator. It's like his friend suddently rejected him and now hates him, so he is miserable. I told him to start by taking that one to the vet. None of them show any obvious signs of illness, no weight loss, food or litter issues, etc. Just the sudden hostility and crying. My brother said he would call the vet but in the meantime does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance, Andrea

 

[krazy kat2]

It sounds like a contest for alpha male status, that could be tricky. I am sure someone more knowledgeable than I will be able to help you with it. I just did not want your post to get lost in the shuffle. I wish I could do something to help.

 

[mews2much]

My brother had that problem and it got so bad they locked jaws and tried to kill each other.
He had to give them to the pound it was so bad.
Your brother may need to keep them seperated.
My brother still has males like that and he has to leave one in the bathroom.
I would go to the vet first and see what they say.

 

[rapunzel47]

If this is a change in behaviour, and one cat is consistently getting the short end of the stick, I be concerned that that cat is ill, and head for the vet. They are so good at hiding illness/weakness from us, but their own kind know. That it's the same cat who has adopted another new bahaviour -- crying -- adds to my suspicion.

More than that I can't suggest, but I'm glad to hear your brother is calling the vet. I hope there's nothing too serious going on.