One for the cat owners

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CharlieB

Junior Walker and the Allstars
We have two male neutered cats, litter brothers of 10½ years old that we've had from kittenhood.

One of them, let's call him Nitkit, had a visit to the vet on Wednesday for some dental work. Since he returned in the evening, we've had what can only be described as WW3 break out.
The other one, let's call him Cat, has always regarded himself as the alpha male of the two, but aside from the odd little quarrel, they have always got on. Now he is acting very aggressively to his brother to the point that we have had to keep them isolated from each other since Nitkit's return. We did expect some disagreement, but in no way to the extent we've seen in the last 36 hours.

I know it's too easy to project human emotions and foibles onto animals, especially our pets, but I'm assuming that Nitkit's day-long absence from the house has given Cat what he sees as a tactical advantage and now he regards the entire house as his territory and will not now tolerate any intruder.

Has anyone out there any experience of this and tips they want to pass on?

We've also tried one of the very expensive Feliway plug-in calmers, which hasn't changed the status quo so far.
 

XmisterIS

Purveyor of fine nonsense
I think Cat can probably smell strange smells on Nitkit and regards him as an intruder. His aggression will probably subside to a few grumblings, then he'll be content again.

More generally, in order to prevent Cat from being the Alpha cat, you have to become the alpha cat! Cat currently thinks he's in charge. When he realises he's not, then he will calm down again. You need to scold him (not scare him) each time he gets aggressive towards Nitkit. Keeping them separated could add to the problems - it may make both animals feel as if they now have separate, competing territories.
 

Noodley

Guest
We always get spats after visits to the vets, sometimes quite spectacular. Let them get on with it, they'll sort it out themselves.
 

buddha

Veteran
I've used the diversion technique - a.k.a. 'chucking a ball of string at them technique' to stop the spat.
Then after a few days / a week all is back to normal.

edit: I think that Feliway will give you your money back if you find it doesn't work.
 

fossyant

Ride It Like You Stole It!
Location
South Manchester
Got 3 females so not really a problem, although one is always 'top cat'. We do have the youngster (4 year old) trying it on with the older 14 year old cats, but so far she's not had her way !

Most likely the smell from the vets !
 

asterix

Comrade Member
Location
Limoges or York
We have 2 alpha male cats.

One sits on the stairs to stop the other going up (or down). The other owns any other part of the house he can reach without using the stairs.
 
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CharlieB

CharlieB

Junior Walker and the Allstars
Thank you, people.
That's one of the reasons I like the CC fora. Anyone can ask any question about anything, no matter how mundane, and get sensible replies back.

I belong to another forum, and sometimes it's like attempting conversation with a lump of concrete.
 

XmisterIS

Purveyor of fine nonsense
We have 2 alpha male cats.

One sits on the stairs to stop the other going up (or down). The other owns any other part of the house he can reach without using the stairs.



I like the way that cats make things "mine" on whim.
biggrin.gif
 
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OP
CharlieB

CharlieB

Junior Walker and the Allstars
Update, for anyone finding this useful;

Some good advice we took on board from those comments, thank you so much. I think XmisterIS's ideas about not keeping them separate and us becoming Top Cat bore fruit.

Things have just about returned to normal after the application of a (low-powered) water pistol to Cat every time he got shirty with his bro. We had one nasty moment when he bit Liz (other half) wehn she tried to separate them by hand, as he's never bitten anyone before.

We also started giving them treats in the same room so that they had a shared pleasing experience. We're down to the odd little verbal grumble when they pass on the stairs.

Thank you all - you have no idea how scary this got at one point!
 

Globalti

Legendary Member
If they are neutered it won't hurt them to receive a kick in the goolies, will it? Gotta show them who's boss.
 

twentysix by twentyfive

Clinging on tightly
Location
Over the Hill
Update, for anyone finding this useful;

Some good advice we took on board from those comments, thank you so much. I think XmisterIS's ideas about not keeping them separate and us becoming Top Cat bore fruit.

Things have just about returned to normal after the application of a (low-powered) water pistol to Cat every time he got shirty with his bro. We had one nasty moment when he bit Liz (other half) wehn she tried to separate them by hand, as he's never bitten anyone before.

We also started giving them treats in the same room so that they had a shared pleasing experience. We're down to the odd little verbal grumble when they pass on the stairs.

Thank you all - you have no idea how scary this got at one point!

Absolutely never ever seperate by hand (unless a chainmail suit is donned). Probably didn't understand it was your OH......
 
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