Please Help - Cats Are Trying To Kill Each Other

Sikhar

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I have 2 fully indoor cats, both female, one is 5 and the other one is about 4 years old. They have been together since I got the second cat at 3 months old. When they were little they loved each other a lot but over time their relationship got distant. Within the past year, the cats rarely play with each other, but they do tolerate one another. There is a lot of hissing between them, but they never get violent so I wasn't worried. They never fight unless it's just for fun.

Last night, for the first time ever, my two cats tried to kill each other. It was out of nowhere, the older cat suddenly started howling and growling and jumped on the younger cat. They took their fight all around the house, both of them howling and screeching. If I didn't interfere, one of them would kill the other. I separated one cat, and when I let her out this morning, the same thing happened. I am so scared because this was completely out of nowhere. It is impossible to control their fighting, distractions didn't work and neither did food. I don't want to have to give one of the cats away if they have decided to stop living with each other, they are my life. Does anyone have any advice for me please????
 

theyremine

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Might be a case of redirected aggression. Do they have access to windows where an outside cat could confront them/spray? Happened to me. I had to reintroduce them (separate, feliway) and after a few months they were okay with each other again. Good luck.
 
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Elfilou

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Sikhar

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Thank you for your replies.. I am in the process of reintroducing them now but I just can't be sure when it is safe for them to see each other again. I will just have to try it out and see what happens I guess.
 

Elfilou

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Look up what you can about introducing cats and go slowly, at their pace, for the best results. You have all the time in the world, right?
 

Samxfix

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Did this ever work? The reintroducing? I have the EXACT same situation right now. I love both my babies so much and could never get rid of one :(
 

Samxfix

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Thank you for your replies.. I am in the process of reintroducing them now but I just can't be sure when it is safe for them to see each other again. I will just have to try it out and see what happens I guess.
Did this ever work?
 

FeebysOwner

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Did this ever work?
The OP hasn't been on this site since they first posted back in 2017, so I don't expect you will hear from them. But there are tons of threads whereby a reintroduction worked just fine.

Depending on your cats' ages, particularly if they are older, it is also possible that one is reacting to the other due to an illness. And that can go either way - the 'healthy' cat attacking the 'sick' car or vice versa.

Maybe if you share with us your situation, it might help in terms of finding a solution or identifying the potential issue.
 

theyremine

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As I posted in 2017, it happened to my two siblings. I reintroduced them slowly and eventually they became comfortable with each other. They were never as close as they once were. (He even used to let her eat his treats!) But they do sit together and greet each other, but they do spend a good time apart. (But no fighting!)
 
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