I will try to go into detail with the issue I am having. I have searched several postings here and saw some good information but nothing quite as the situation I am having. Both are spayed anf front paws declawed.
I have two female cats. One, OJ, who is a 12 years old tortie about 13 lbs. For being a tortie she is the most docile cat I have ever had. She NEVER gets angry with anything or any human/animal. She will let anyone pet her, doesn't have a care in the world except minding her own business and getting attention as much as possible eating and sleeping. I found out later that calico and tortie are not the best combination of companionship for each other.
I have a 7 year calico UT. She is pretty much the opposite of OJ in the fact that she is the matriarch in her eyes and likes to be boss when she feels the need too and can be quite hyperactive when she wants. On the other hand whenever anyone other than myself is in the house she turns into a scardy cat and hides in the bedroom laundry hamper in the closet. Most people wouldn't even know I have two cats unless I tell them if they are at my hosue.
OJ has lived with 4 or 5 other cats throughout her life, UT has not other than OJ, I got both when they were kittens. These two cats as housemates have never truly bonded or gotten along with each other but for the most part they have tolerated each other. At times they do play for a couple minutes but rarely. They will at even at even allow UT to lick OJ's head but never lasts very long when UT's paw comes out to place it on OJ's head.
Lately UT has gone on what I call my 'bi-polar' tear. One second you can pet her on the head and the next blink she goes to growling and wailing at the top of her lungs, puffed up and wants nothing to do with anyone. I can have both cats sitting with me on the couch and the next thing I know she is psycho mad.
Part of me thinks that UT is jealous which in some fashion she is. UT has always been the solitary of the two. OJ has always won over my protection over UT since 95% of the time she instigates it. Nothing more than having OJ near me when this happens. Sometimes UT gets the bedroom door closed for about an hour. Both cats get pretty much equal attention if I can with UT, both have their own litter boxes but now and again I catch them using the other. About 3 years ago OJ had bladder surgery for crystals/stones and has a realatively small bladder for a cat but since that time seems to be doing well but the trouble seemed to be initiated about that time and has gotten worse over th years. UT will at times 'stalk', stare, watch, intimidate (at times) OJ who would rather just mind her own business. Her favorite is to sit and guard in the doorway/pathway to other parts of the house and stare at OJ. OJ never but rarely initiates confrontation with UT. This ends up stressing out OJ and limiting where she wants to go in the house where you can see every times she comes to a juncture in the house the looks to make sure the coast is clear.
I have taken them to the vet a few times for this but all the 'techniques' I was told to attempt have failed. I have tired the seperation, the pheramones, etc. I hate taking them to the vet because returning one or the other results in a month long screech war from UT. This is usually the violent parts I have seen from UT attacking OJ where no person or cat is safe, she has never bitten a person but your ears will hurt after an amount of time of it. I think in due to the smell of the vet office and the fact that putting her in the kitty carrier terrifies her to bloody her nose/mouth from slamming herself inside the cage and going to the bathroom unintentionly from it. I try to remove the smell of the vet as much as possible with no real effect of making it better in UT's eyes.
The one thing I haven't tried is some type of emotional stability drug for her. I have tried to not go that route but I think I am running out of options at this point. I am wondering if this is a good idea or experiences other people have had with this. I would never get rid of either of my cats but I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind with UT lately with the amount of stress she has caused lately. Now I am at a lose of what to do.
Thanks in advance!
I have two female cats. One, OJ, who is a 12 years old tortie about 13 lbs. For being a tortie she is the most docile cat I have ever had. She NEVER gets angry with anything or any human/animal. She will let anyone pet her, doesn't have a care in the world except minding her own business and getting attention as much as possible eating and sleeping. I found out later that calico and tortie are not the best combination of companionship for each other.
I have a 7 year calico UT. She is pretty much the opposite of OJ in the fact that she is the matriarch in her eyes and likes to be boss when she feels the need too and can be quite hyperactive when she wants. On the other hand whenever anyone other than myself is in the house she turns into a scardy cat and hides in the bedroom laundry hamper in the closet. Most people wouldn't even know I have two cats unless I tell them if they are at my hosue.
OJ has lived with 4 or 5 other cats throughout her life, UT has not other than OJ, I got both when they were kittens. These two cats as housemates have never truly bonded or gotten along with each other but for the most part they have tolerated each other. At times they do play for a couple minutes but rarely. They will at even at even allow UT to lick OJ's head but never lasts very long when UT's paw comes out to place it on OJ's head.
Lately UT has gone on what I call my 'bi-polar' tear. One second you can pet her on the head and the next blink she goes to growling and wailing at the top of her lungs, puffed up and wants nothing to do with anyone. I can have both cats sitting with me on the couch and the next thing I know she is psycho mad.
Part of me thinks that UT is jealous which in some fashion she is. UT has always been the solitary of the two. OJ has always won over my protection over UT since 95% of the time she instigates it. Nothing more than having OJ near me when this happens. Sometimes UT gets the bedroom door closed for about an hour. Both cats get pretty much equal attention if I can with UT, both have their own litter boxes but now and again I catch them using the other. About 3 years ago OJ had bladder surgery for crystals/stones and has a realatively small bladder for a cat but since that time seems to be doing well but the trouble seemed to be initiated about that time and has gotten worse over th years. UT will at times 'stalk', stare, watch, intimidate (at times) OJ who would rather just mind her own business. Her favorite is to sit and guard in the doorway/pathway to other parts of the house and stare at OJ. OJ never but rarely initiates confrontation with UT. This ends up stressing out OJ and limiting where she wants to go in the house where you can see every times she comes to a juncture in the house the looks to make sure the coast is clear.
I have taken them to the vet a few times for this but all the 'techniques' I was told to attempt have failed. I have tired the seperation, the pheramones, etc. I hate taking them to the vet because returning one or the other results in a month long screech war from UT. This is usually the violent parts I have seen from UT attacking OJ where no person or cat is safe, she has never bitten a person but your ears will hurt after an amount of time of it. I think in due to the smell of the vet office and the fact that putting her in the kitty carrier terrifies her to bloody her nose/mouth from slamming herself inside the cage and going to the bathroom unintentionly from it. I try to remove the smell of the vet as much as possible with no real effect of making it better in UT's eyes.
The one thing I haven't tried is some type of emotional stability drug for her. I have tried to not go that route but I think I am running out of options at this point. I am wondering if this is a good idea or experiences other people have had with this. I would never get rid of either of my cats but I can't say it hasn't crossed my mind with UT lately with the amount of stress she has caused lately. Now I am at a lose of what to do.
Thanks in advance!