Nine days ago my 2 spayed females were enjoying the night air on our enclosed porch by themselves. Apparently something scared them badly and they came in the house hissing, screaming, and fighting. A big wild fight in the kitchen. The former alpha cat was so upset with Number 2 cat that she peed all over the floor. We got them calmed down mostly, and neither them, nor us got any sleep. The next day they were mostly friends again.
Skip ahead a few days. It was better and now they are angry and snarly with each other. Neither are eating, drinking or pooping very well.
We have attempted to maintain a calm household. We have sprayed Feliway and we try to give each cat equal care and affection.
Please help.
Shift of power between 2 former friends
Re: Shift of power between 2 former friends
Does the enclosed porch have screens that were open? Most of the time when this happens, there is a stray cat or other animal outside that affects the resident cat(s), so the resident cat(s) will react to the stranger and oftentimes take it out on a sibling - this is normal cat behavior and there is not much you can do to change it except maybe keep the cats away from the screens at those times you might frequently see a stray cat/other animal near the yard.
You should check each cat thoroughly for any evidence of scratches or bite wounds, as these can fast lead to abcesses and infection. In time, they should both get over the episode and bond again, but the fact they are not eating/drinking/eliminating normally is not good, you should get them to your vet promptly for checkups.
I think the best thing to do is let them work it out on their own, and only intervene if there is a fight involving scratching, chasing or biting. Hissing and growling are normal. Provide safe havens for both of them, separate rooms but don't close doors, supervise and speak in soft tones, try to act as if nothing has happened, and encourage them to follow their normal routines. You can also provide special playtime for them by playing with toys, dragging a string across the floor for them to chase, anything that allows them in the same space but focusing their attention on play and toys rather than each other. Be consistent, set aside around 10 minutes each day for this playtime session, this might provide a more harmonious time for them and help them get over the incident.
You should check each cat thoroughly for any evidence of scratches or bite wounds, as these can fast lead to abcesses and infection. In time, they should both get over the episode and bond again, but the fact they are not eating/drinking/eliminating normally is not good, you should get them to your vet promptly for checkups.
I think the best thing to do is let them work it out on their own, and only intervene if there is a fight involving scratching, chasing or biting. Hissing and growling are normal. Provide safe havens for both of them, separate rooms but don't close doors, supervise and speak in soft tones, try to act as if nothing has happened, and encourage them to follow their normal routines. You can also provide special playtime for them by playing with toys, dragging a string across the floor for them to chase, anything that allows them in the same space but focusing their attention on play and toys rather than each other. Be consistent, set aside around 10 minutes each day for this playtime session, this might provide a more harmonious time for them and help them get over the incident.
..........Traci
Re: Shift of power between 2 former friends
Thank you. This is what we have been doing. Things are much better today.
I do think they saw an animal.
I do think they saw an animal.