How do you deal with cat behavioral issues out of the blue?
nicole asked:
My older grumpy cat (12 years) and my younger loving, but protective, cat (2 1/2) years got into a tiff last night. Since then, my older cat hisses and growls whenever the younger cat walks by. How do I mediate and rectify this situation? I feel so bad for both of them.
Any advice would be helpful.
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My older grumpy cat (12 years) and my younger loving, but protective, cat (2 1/2) years got into a tiff last night. Since then, my older cat hisses and growls whenever the younger cat walks by. How do I mediate and rectify this situation? I feel so bad for both of them.
Any advice would be helpful.
July 19th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Give them time and don’t try to push them together. Now they have had the tiff the older cat is just warning the other cat to watch it.
If both seem stressed then a feliway diffuser may help. Also think back adbn see if anythings changed that may put them on edge (new furniture, change in food, or even being too hot), if you know of somethign thats made them grumpy it can be help in righting things, however could just be a tiff between them that only they know the reason. If so it will probably sort itself out in a few days. shaycos
July 20th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Seeing as your older cat is 12 years old, he probably only has a few more years left in him. On average, cats die between 15-25 years, but my first two died at 19 and 21, and one of my aunt’s at the age of only 11. You may want to keep the younger cat away for a while, as it makes your old cat nervous. They will get better in time, but you may want to punish the older cat a bit. If he hisses, make a loud noise or lightly tap his nose. Riaka Riai
July 23rd, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Either a cat trainer or a veterinary behaviorist. Scuby Dooby
July 25th, 2010 at 12:02 am
I would keep them separated for a bit so they can calm down. You want to purchase a Feliway plug in, as well.
Read Starting From Scratch by Pamela Johnson-Bennett. It addresses these kinds of adult behavior issues in cats.
In a nutshell, something happened between them and has changed their dynamic. Cats HATE change. Do either of them go outside? Sometimes that can cause issues. M