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- Sep 30, 2006
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2 cats - both the same age (about 2.5 years old), but we adopted Cat1 as a kitten, and Cat2 at about a year old.
Cat 1 is a large strong male (15-20 pound range), neuteured.
Cat 2 is a tiny female (under 10 pounds), spayed.
So for the last 1.5 years, these 2 cats have lived together and we have had almost no problems. They get along well, play together, share a litterbox, share food/water bowls, etc, etc. Occasionally they would tussle and chase, but it always seemed very playful.
A couple of weeks ago we came home to find a bunch of fur all over the floor - clear evidence of a fight. Since then it has happened frequently and we caught them in the act a few times.
Now, in the last 2 days, it has turned very bad. The big guy has no fear and he constantly tries to go near the little one - I don't think he's explicitly being aggressive at this point. The little one cowers and hisses or growls and stares him down whenever he gets near her. He then takes this as a sign of aggression and attacks her. He's twice her size and she typically tries to get away but can't. Last night we had to physically separate them into two different rooms.
So that is where we are at today - they are actually both sleeping in the same room right now - the big guy on the couch with me, the little one over on the nearby love seat. But they have not been awake and near each other without trying to fight in the last 24 hours.
Nothing has changed in their environment in months.
So - anybody have any insight or ideas? What would cause this sudden change in behavior? How do we put an end to it? Everything I'm reading online is about introducing new cats - these guys are well acquainted and past that point though.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Cat 1 is a large strong male (15-20 pound range), neuteured.
Cat 2 is a tiny female (under 10 pounds), spayed.
So for the last 1.5 years, these 2 cats have lived together and we have had almost no problems. They get along well, play together, share a litterbox, share food/water bowls, etc, etc. Occasionally they would tussle and chase, but it always seemed very playful.
A couple of weeks ago we came home to find a bunch of fur all over the floor - clear evidence of a fight. Since then it has happened frequently and we caught them in the act a few times.
Now, in the last 2 days, it has turned very bad. The big guy has no fear and he constantly tries to go near the little one - I don't think he's explicitly being aggressive at this point. The little one cowers and hisses or growls and stares him down whenever he gets near her. He then takes this as a sign of aggression and attacks her. He's twice her size and she typically tries to get away but can't. Last night we had to physically separate them into two different rooms.
So that is where we are at today - they are actually both sleeping in the same room right now - the big guy on the couch with me, the little one over on the nearby love seat. But they have not been awake and near each other without trying to fight in the last 24 hours.
Nothing has changed in their environment in months.
So - anybody have any insight or ideas? What would cause this sudden change in behavior? How do we put an end to it? Everything I'm reading online is about introducing new cats - these guys are well acquainted and past that point though.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!