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- Jan 2, 2022
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This is specifically after non-recognition aggression issues, but I guess it could apply to new cats too. I was dealing with non-recognition aggression after taking one cat to the vet, about 1.5 weeks ago. At first it was necessary to separate the cats all of the time, and then I did the whole feeding near a closed door thing, playing in the same room for brief periods, etc. The last few days I have tried to let them both be out and about when I'm at home. Things are certainly not "normal" but do seem to be getting better. Often, they are fine being in the same room and ignoring each other. They have no issues sleeping for long periods of time, within feet of each other, in their respective favorite spots in the living room. Several times per day, they go up to each other and sniff noses with no hissing/growling reaction.
However, probably an equal number of times per day, one will begin chasing the other. This leads to hissing and growling at minimum, and sometimes barring teeth and swatting. There have also been 2-3x per day where one appears to have the other sort of cornered and the cornered one is repeatedly hissing/growling. They have not physically hurt each other. I have been able to break up these incidents with loud clapping or other distractions, and depending on the severity may briefly separate the cats afterwards. Typically, after this when I let the separated one back out, they go back to the ignoring thing for a period of time.
Part of me wants to think that the chasing thing is just them trying to get back to playing. Back when they were bonded, they frequently would play chase games, hide and leap out at the other, play wrestle, etc. They're only 2. However, I knew this was just playing because it was noiseless- I had NEVER heard either of them hiss or growl before this non-recognition incident. They also would regularly groom each other, sleep together, and cuddle. I have not seen a return to any of those other behaviors- grooming, sleeping next to each other, or cuddling.
How do I know when it's safe to leave them both out together when I'm at work? It's a minimum of 10 hours per day. I certainly don't want to hold them back from making more progress, but I am also terrified things will escalate while I'm gone, or something will happen and I'm not there to break it up.
However, probably an equal number of times per day, one will begin chasing the other. This leads to hissing and growling at minimum, and sometimes barring teeth and swatting. There have also been 2-3x per day where one appears to have the other sort of cornered and the cornered one is repeatedly hissing/growling. They have not physically hurt each other. I have been able to break up these incidents with loud clapping or other distractions, and depending on the severity may briefly separate the cats afterwards. Typically, after this when I let the separated one back out, they go back to the ignoring thing for a period of time.
Part of me wants to think that the chasing thing is just them trying to get back to playing. Back when they were bonded, they frequently would play chase games, hide and leap out at the other, play wrestle, etc. They're only 2. However, I knew this was just playing because it was noiseless- I had NEVER heard either of them hiss or growl before this non-recognition incident. They also would regularly groom each other, sleep together, and cuddle. I have not seen a return to any of those other behaviors- grooming, sleeping next to each other, or cuddling.
How do I know when it's safe to leave them both out together when I'm at work? It's a minimum of 10 hours per day. I certainly don't want to hold them back from making more progress, but I am also terrified things will escalate while I'm gone, or something will happen and I'm not there to break it up.