Cats that fight
Discussion
We've had two cats for around 7 years - neutered litter siblings, adopted as kittens from the excellent rescue shelter at Ashbourne. They share a large conservatory, with free access to a large garden and fields beyond, but only come into the house by invitation. They were never as close to each other as our previous cats had been, but rubbed along OK. Over the last year or so their tolerance of each other has decreased, and there have been increasingly unpleasant confrontations between them. Ginger (male) is almost twice the weight of his tabby sister, has always been rather nervous and suspicious of strangers (though fine with us) and has recently started "spraying". Tiger is a proper softy.
Then a couple of weeks ago they had a major punch-up. He finished up with a mouthful of fur; she got a deep would to the base of her tail that needed stitches and the vet bill that goes with them. The vet's prediction was that the problems would get worse.
At the moment, we are managing by keeping Tiger shut in the conservatory, and keeping Ginger out, but this isn't sustainable for long. The shelter will take Ginger back, but there's an indefinite waiting list, and I don't think he'll take well to an enclosed run or other cats.
What should we do?
Then a couple of weeks ago they had a major punch-up. He finished up with a mouthful of fur; she got a deep would to the base of her tail that needed stitches and the vet bill that goes with them. The vet's prediction was that the problems would get worse.
At the moment, we are managing by keeping Tiger shut in the conservatory, and keeping Ginger out, but this isn't sustainable for long. The shelter will take Ginger back, but there's an indefinite waiting list, and I don't think he'll take well to an enclosed run or other cats.
What should we do?
Any new cats in the area? Could be a trigger.
Have they been vet checked. Medical issues can cause behaviour changes
Could be worth purchasing a pet remedy plug in (amazon)
This site is worth a read.
https://icatcare.org/advice/problem-behaviour
The other problem is if things have been brewing for a long time but without intervention it does eventually reach a breaking point especially if a slight change has occurred.
Will a rescue home definitely take on a cat that is spraying, cats that are prone to this do tend to do it especially if in a new home. Though there are many natural products designed to help reduce stress in cats so hopefully reduce that risk.
Have they been vet checked. Medical issues can cause behaviour changes
Could be worth purchasing a pet remedy plug in (amazon)
This site is worth a read.
https://icatcare.org/advice/problem-behaviour
The other problem is if things have been brewing for a long time but without intervention it does eventually reach a breaking point especially if a slight change has occurred.
Will a rescue home definitely take on a cat that is spraying, cats that are prone to this do tend to do it especially if in a new home. Though there are many natural products designed to help reduce stress in cats so hopefully reduce that risk.
Thank you for the comments and the useful link.
The problem has, in one sense, been brewing almost since we collected them: they never slept together in a glorious heap of fur like our previous cats had done, but for a long time everything was quite manageable. She might "say" something to him as he passed by, and he might chase her under my desk, but that was all.
Difficult to say about new cats in the area: we've seen the odd one or two around, and Ginger has seen them off, but only once, as far as we know, had a serious scrap with one (he won). But he's a nocturnal creature, as proved by our wildlife IR camera, so we don't really know what he gets up to.
The vet has seen them both relatively recently, and expressed no concerns - but did give the advice about rehoming one of them. Ginger's behaviour does seem to relate strongly to the presence of his sister, and although he runs a mile if the doorbell rings or a strange man appears, he's fine with us.
He's actually only sprayed inside the house once, but that may be because we've stopped him any time he seems likely to repeat it. The shelter know the full story and seem happy enough to take him back.
We've tried Feliway diffusers in the past, with no apparent benefit, and doubt their value at this time of the year when their "home" conservatory has its doors wide open for most of the day.
Tiger, the female, might be easier to rehome than Ginger, so should this be our main consideration? If we can't rehome at least one of them, we'll have to consider asking the vet to put one of them down. Would vets even do this to a physically healthy animal?
The problem has, in one sense, been brewing almost since we collected them: they never slept together in a glorious heap of fur like our previous cats had done, but for a long time everything was quite manageable. She might "say" something to him as he passed by, and he might chase her under my desk, but that was all.
Difficult to say about new cats in the area: we've seen the odd one or two around, and Ginger has seen them off, but only once, as far as we know, had a serious scrap with one (he won). But he's a nocturnal creature, as proved by our wildlife IR camera, so we don't really know what he gets up to.
The vet has seen them both relatively recently, and expressed no concerns - but did give the advice about rehoming one of them. Ginger's behaviour does seem to relate strongly to the presence of his sister, and although he runs a mile if the doorbell rings or a strange man appears, he's fine with us.
He's actually only sprayed inside the house once, but that may be because we've stopped him any time he seems likely to repeat it. The shelter know the full story and seem happy enough to take him back.
We've tried Feliway diffusers in the past, with no apparent benefit, and doubt their value at this time of the year when their "home" conservatory has its doors wide open for most of the day.
Tiger, the female, might be easier to rehome than Ginger, so should this be our main consideration? If we can't rehome at least one of them, we'll have to consider asking the vet to put one of them down. Would vets even do this to a physically healthy animal?
To your last question. I sincerely hope not, personally I don't think it should be considered when there is no medical issue.
Pet remedy is not Feliway and works in a different way.
Zylkene, karmaid are products that should be tried. Rehoming the girl may well be easier but probably better to have another chat to the rehoming centre first.
There are definitely times when peace between two cats will never happen. Early intervention with changes in a home set up and natural remedies as mentioned can make things a lot better between cats but in your case it may well be tooate to make a difference (though not impossible and worth a try)
One of the biggest issues is they don't have enough indoor space. The biggest cause of stress is lack of personal space in a home and lack of hideaway spaces. Why can't the female cat go in the house more?
Pet remedy is not Feliway and works in a different way.
Zylkene, karmaid are products that should be tried. Rehoming the girl may well be easier but probably better to have another chat to the rehoming centre first.
There are definitely times when peace between two cats will never happen. Early intervention with changes in a home set up and natural remedies as mentioned can make things a lot better between cats but in your case it may well be tooate to make a difference (though not impossible and worth a try)
One of the biggest issues is they don't have enough indoor space. The biggest cause of stress is lack of personal space in a home and lack of hideaway spaces. Why can't the female cat go in the house more?
Edited by bexVN on Monday 5th June 22:22
Thanks for the further comments.
The question about letting the female in the house more is perhaps a "don't start from here" one. We're not prepared to give her a free run of the house, and she's got used to demanding to be let out of the living room by scratching at the carpet, usually by one of the doors she's never allowed through. From the odd times we've left her unattended, we know what a mess she can make of the carpet. The conservatory, where they both used to live, has permanently open catflap access to the garden, and is quite large - about 5m x 4m - with several high vantage points, baskets, and places to hide under furniture. We don't want to keep them both confined to it - apart from anything else, it gets very hot in there in the summer, even with chicken wire mesh panels over several doors.
My concern about trying any sort of dietary supplement / natural medicine is that we may not know whether it's worked until she comes home bleeding again - or, worse, crawls under a hedge, bleeding.
We've had an offer to rehome Tiger, the female, but it's only a quarter of a mile or so away from here, and over a busy road. Do cats usually find their way home from that sort of distance?
The question about letting the female in the house more is perhaps a "don't start from here" one. We're not prepared to give her a free run of the house, and she's got used to demanding to be let out of the living room by scratching at the carpet, usually by one of the doors she's never allowed through. From the odd times we've left her unattended, we know what a mess she can make of the carpet. The conservatory, where they both used to live, has permanently open catflap access to the garden, and is quite large - about 5m x 4m - with several high vantage points, baskets, and places to hide under furniture. We don't want to keep them both confined to it - apart from anything else, it gets very hot in there in the summer, even with chicken wire mesh panels over several doors.
My concern about trying any sort of dietary supplement / natural medicine is that we may not know whether it's worked until she comes home bleeding again - or, worse, crawls under a hedge, bleeding.
We've had an offer to rehome Tiger, the female, but it's only a quarter of a mile or so away from here, and over a busy road. Do cats usually find their way home from that sort of distance?
Personally for her I think it is worth the risk.
They would need to keep her in for at ateast 8 weeks to see but yes it may be too close.
Your answers confuse me. 'Coming home bloodied' suggests attacks are occurring outside not while in the conservatory. This means she is being forced to go outside and come get back beaten up??
Either way I have no further advice/help to offer, you do appear to have decided what is needed. I hope you manage to find a resolution that gives them a more contented and less stressful life.
They would need to keep her in for at ateast 8 weeks to see but yes it may be too close.
Your answers confuse me. 'Coming home bloodied' suggests attacks are occurring outside not while in the conservatory. This means she is being forced to go outside and come get back beaten up??
Either way I have no further advice/help to offer, you do appear to have decided what is needed. I hope you manage to find a resolution that gives them a more contented and less stressful life.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 7th June 13:55
Thank you again - and sorry if I was not clear. The skirmishes occur anywhere that the two cats can be together - in the living room, in the conservatory, in the garden, but it was one in the garden that led to the injury requiring stitching.
We haven't decided what to do to maximise feline and human happiness (or minimise pain and misery), which is why I've sought advice - and would still welcome anyone's suggestions and experiences of short-range rehoming
We haven't decided what to do to maximise feline and human happiness (or minimise pain and misery), which is why I've sought advice - and would still welcome anyone's suggestions and experiences of short-range rehoming
Is the potential new home for Tiger currently cat-free? If she can be the only pet and it's a loving home where she will get the run of the house and garden, then this might be the best option for her. Ginger would be happier as well by the sounds of it. They obviously don't get along which is rare among litter mates but there's no point forcing cats to live together if they don't like each other. Could Tiger go to the other home on a trial basis to see if she settles in? At least if she's nearby you could visit and keep an eye on things.
I'd consult a behavourist (your vet will be able to recommend one) rather than ask people who've never met your cats or seen their setup for advice.
I've successfully integrated two proper 'problem kitties', but it took a long time (9 months in all) plus a lot of patience. Even then they had the odd spat.
Key I think is to ask your vet's advice (or find a better vet) and keep them involved in the process. It may sound extreme, but there is a lot that can be done in terms of short term drug treatment to take the edge off the aggression while you (slowly) get them accustomed to one another again.
I've successfully integrated two proper 'problem kitties', but it took a long time (9 months in all) plus a lot of patience. Even then they had the odd spat.
Key I think is to ask your vet's advice (or find a better vet) and keep them involved in the process. It may sound extreme, but there is a lot that can be done in terms of short term drug treatment to take the edge off the aggression while you (slowly) get them accustomed to one another again.
I’ve seen a few of the My Cat From Hell shows. The cats in these shows are kept indoors (mostly American apartments) and often the problem is that just don’t have enough personal space. Cats need their own territory, hiding places and roaming places where they can get away from people and other cats and just be by themselves. I know yours are not exclusively indoor cats but maybe their sharing of just one room in the house isn’t enough space if they are not that keen on each other.
I had just finished reading the further advice so kindly given when we got a call from "The Ark" - the Ashbourne rehoming centre. They had one place available: did we want it? Decision time: we took it. After much further discussion, we took Ginger this morning. It was horrible: in some ways worse than taking a sick, old, cat to be put down, because we weren't 100% certain it was the best solution for all concerned.
The staff there were wonderful, and seemed very confident they'd quickly find a good home for him (ginger cats are, they said, in much demand). They select homes very carefully.
There may not be a "next time" for us - if Tiger lives for a reasonable time I'll be too old to take on new kittens by then - but if there is, I'll take on board the advice given here.
Thanks.
The staff there were wonderful, and seemed very confident they'd quickly find a good home for him (ginger cats are, they said, in much demand). They select homes very carefully.
There may not be a "next time" for us - if Tiger lives for a reasonable time I'll be too old to take on new kittens by then - but if there is, I'll take on board the advice given here.
Thanks.
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