behavior change - docile cat turned aggressive

[tarac]

I moved on Sunday. I know this can be stressful on cats, but I have moved before and I have not experienced anything like this with them.

I have 2 male cats, Tulkas and Mandos. They're both boys and from the same litter. Tulkas is neutered, Mandos is not (the one is neutered because he spray'd all over my last apartment and this remedied the issue). Before my move my cats got along very well, groomed each other, slept together, played with the occasional extremely non-aggressive fights (no hissing/growling etc).

When I moved them Tulkas soiled himself. I had to give him a bath as soon as I got him here and all I had was my own shampoo (bad, I know). So I gave him a thorough cleaning. He hung out in the bathroom while he dried and eventually came out to cuddle with me. Also, some urine got on Mandos' tail so I gave his tail a good wash with the same shampoo. Later that evening he and Mandos started to seriously fight. There was hissing, growling, rolling around and cathair was being ripped out.

I put Mandos in my room thinking he was the instigator (he usually is when it comes to play or fighting). Later that evening I let him out and found out that Tulkas was hissing any time he saw Mandos which would instigate the fight. Each time I would hold Tulkas and try to make him feel less threatened when Mandos was around, but it hasn't helped much. At times they're okay together - mostly when it's Tulkas initiating them being around each other. But, if Tulkas is sitting by himself and Mandos appears in the room he starts to hiss.

Im not sure if it's because his smell is no longer in this apartment and with Mandos not being neutered he feels threatened...or if it just the move...or if because I washed Mandos' tail with my shampoo and that's what he smells and no longer recognizes his brother.

Mandos is getting neutered in about 3 weeks, so if my first thought is what it really is, I hope this fixes it.

Please help.

[Tina B and crew]

It is not unusual for cats to go through this when stress arises in their life, especially if that stress involves change. It is probably the combination of the move and the baths and I'm sure one being not neutered doesn't help. It may just take time. I had two cats do this when I moved and they eventually came to terms...it took a while and they were never best friends again, but they did come to terms. I'd recommend when one starts hissing to distract them by playing. Make their time together positive so that they will associate fun with each other. If the fights get awfully aggressive, try to separate them to keep them from being hurt, but if it's just a bit of swatting and hissing I'd distract them. Good luck with it all!

BTW...love the names...being a Tolkien fan and all

[Traci]

How old are they?

Don't use human shampoos on cats, they are too harsh on cats' sensitive skin and may contain citrus or essential oils that are toxic to cats.

Moving is extremely stressful for cats, so you need to make sure the entire transition is smooth for them. You need to watch them carefully and ensure they are eating/drinking normally, using the litterbox normally, and NOT depressed or withdrawn or anorexic or hiding. The latter can indicate severe illness that can lead to serious liver disease (hepatic lipidosis), which requires immediate and agressive treatment.

What caused Tulkas to "soil" himself? Was this during an activity or during a nap or? Whatever the event, you need to make sure it does not happen again. Cats generally do not lose normal elimination functions unless there is a health issue or a sort of trauma that has occured. Depending on the situation and his age, you should probably get them both to your vet for exams. Remember that moving is stressful, and stress can exacerbate illness even months after the change, so you need to watch them both carefully for any signs of stress and signs of ill health.

Tina is right, encourage them to focus on playtime and activity, and do not interfere unless there is direct aggression that involves biting or scratching. Hissing and growling do not necessarily constitute agression. It could be a combination of stress due to the move, and the fact you bathed them with an unfamiliar scented product, etc. so keep the environment as calm as possible and don't interfere between them unless there is direct agression going on. Time-outs for one or the other should ONLY be around 5-10 minutes at a time, no longer, and you shouldn't favor one cat over the other at these times, treat them both equally, with equal attention. Do reward good behavior with special playtime activities or special treats, etc.

[tarac]

They are 2 and a half years old. Tulkas urinated while he was in the cat carrier going from one apartment to the next. He was laying down so it was all over is stomach and legs. Im going to pick up cat shampoo and give them both a good bath.

They aren't hiding as much and are out and about. Not eating or going to the bathroom as much as I'd like, but they displayed that similar behavior the last time I moved and are gradually behaving a little more like normal. Mandos was actually meowing wanting his food this morning and they both came running out when they heard their food being poured into their dishes.

Tulkas' hissing when Mandos is around has even lessened from yesterday.

Seems like it was probably stress and seems they're getting used to this place more and more.

[Traci]

The stress of bathing will only compound the stress, and may incite the behavior between them again (again, the scent). You've already bathed them both, so it's probably unnecessary to do so again. In the future, please be sure you only use a suitable pet shampoo that does NOT have citrus, essential oils, tea-tree-oil, etc, these are toxic to cats, despite their availability to pet owners. I strongly suggest a recommendation from your vet, such as Hy-Lyte shampoo for cats, or Pearlescent shampoo for cats, etc, your vet should have these available in his retail area of the clinic. (may be alittle more expensive but worth the cost since they are SAFE products for cats)

Do be sure to monitor their eating/drinking and litterbox habits closely. Ensure they are eating their normal and sufficient amounts.

[tarac]

Will hold off on the baths then. I was extremely hesitant when using my shampoo, but it was all I had on me and had to get him clean. Thanks for all the info!

Tina, glad you like the names!

Their colourings fit their names very well I think!
Tulkas - ginger
Mandos - grey

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/ ... 7_3411.jpg">

This is how they usually are together which is exactly why I was alarmed at the sudden change.

Thanks again!

[Traci]

Awww, they're precious! How amazing they appear to be mirror images of each other save for the coloring!

[Tina B and crew]

Oh my they are beautiful!! I love that photo! Are you a photographer?

[tarac]

Im not, my former roomate was hower. She took a lot of great photo's of them:

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/ ... ture22.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/ ... ture41.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/ ... osdani.jpg">

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/ ... cture6.jpg">