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Author Topic: Fight to the Death!, or My Cats Are Trying to Kill Each Other
Leonide
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My cats are brother and sister, raised together since they were born 3 years ago. This year, starting around January, they have been having spats the like I've never seen 'afore. They used to cuddle up together and sleep with their paws intertwined. Now about twice a day they just go at each other.

Usually the male is the instigator, but truthfully he always used to pick on her a bit. Now, though, she's not having *any* of it. I've been woken up two mornings in a row now around 5:30 AM to them growling and hissing at each other like they'd never seen each other before. My boy even has a scar on his nose from the girl swatting at him.

I thought it was some sort of mating season/boy/girl thing, but they're both spayed and neutered, and i've never had this problem before. Any thoughts on the cause, or advice? Should i talk to my vet? Nothing physically seems wrong with them, but you never know...

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breyerchic04
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Are they with you at Disney? Could moving be the cause?
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BlackBlade
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http://www.pets.ca/pettips/tips-17.htm

^^ That might help you decide if they are fighting or in fact playing.

The Internet Scores Again!

Remember growling is MUCH different then screaming. If they sound like they are making noises with the back of their throat, thats growling even if its quite loud, if they sound like a baby crying thats screaming.

Its uncanny how similar cats can sound like babies.

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Leonide
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Oh, i'm back in PA now. edit for clarification: and the cats never left their home, I went to Florida without them. the fighting started right after I left in January and continued til now. I'll read over those pet tips. I don't think they're playing, they're too unhappy...
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Primal Curve
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quote:
Originally posted by BlackBlade:
Its uncanny how similar cats can sound like babies.

They're taking over! [Angst]
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Leonide
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yeah, they're definitely fighting. They used to get along fine, and there's definitely the male cat dominating over the female, and occasional screaming as well. Plus with the male cat's injury on his nose, it all adds up. but it doesn't really say how to make them stop -- just making loud noises postpones the fight, but they usually start up again within moments.
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breyerchic04
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Could it be that you had left and left them upset? And they aren't quite ok with it all yet?
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BlackBlade
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quote:
Originally posted by Leonide:
yeah, they're definitely fighting. They used to get along fine, and there's definitely the male cat dominating over the female, and occasional screaming as well. Plus with the male cat's injury on his nose, it all adds up. but it doesn't really say how to make them stop -- just making loud noises postpones the fight, but they usually start up again within moments.

If fights restart a few minutes later why not observe their behavior between fights?

Cats like most animals have an elaborate system of body language and sounds that are designed to hopefully find a solution without violence.

Don't assume the cat that actually attacks is the one starting the fights. You'd be surprised how many fights start because the cat that is attacked is giving the other cat bad looks or making aggressive sounds.

Remember the cats might initially start playing and then one accidentalyl goes to far which makes the other cat go into a defensive stance, complete with hissing and screaming even.

If a scream ends the fight its probably rough playing, if screaming goes on the whole fight then something is wrong.

You mentioned fights happening at 5:30am, do they regularly happen in the late evening or early morning? If so it could be they are craving a release of pent up energy. If you do not keep them active during the day they usually experience what is called the, "evening crazies" or the "morning crazies." Those are periods where one or both cats get really hyper and seem to bother everyone. They might attack you and bite, or claw and then run away when you chase them. BTW chasing is a bad idea as its considered fun to them to run from you.

Try interupting fights and playing with the male, does he play with you or does he get angry? If you have a habit of not playing with your cats they might turn to each other for that release, the female might just not be in the mood for play when the male is and hence the fights.

Regardless, you need to break up any fight that breaks out, cuts can get infected, and you need to discourage agression. But try to play with your cats more, they need alot of exercise to be happy and healthy.

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BlackBlade
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Oh one more thing, a silent attack = play

a loud aggressive approach followed by fighting = not play.

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Dagonee
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quote:

Usually the male is the instigator, but truthfully he always used to pick on her a bit. Now, though, she's not having *any* of it. I've been woken up two mornings in a row now around 5:30 AM to them growling and hissing at each other like they'd never seen each other before. My boy even has a scar on his nose from the girl swatting at him.

The difficult part of the situation is determining which one was replaced with the genetically engineered alien life form and which one is defending you from it.
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Leonide
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LOL!


BlackBlade: i've always had a sneaking suspicion that the female is actually the instigator, but no proof! I'll have to watch them more closely.

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Primal Curve
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Our unrelated cats have been doing this for awhile now. I stopped breaking them apart and started rooting for them. I'm just hoping one will take out the other and peace will return to our abode.
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