[Kimfife01]

Hello all. Looking for help. My female cat and my male cat are litter mates. They have been together all of their lives. We adopted them when they were eight weeks old they are now four. Up until four days ago they got along great other than some rough and tumble play. Four days ago it turned really rough. My female cat has basically turned on my male cat without warning. Biting hissing growling. Some of the most crazy noises I have ever heard. She will pin him into a corner and not allow him to move. He defends himself but doesn’t know exactly what to do. This has been quite confusing to all involved. We haven’t changed anything. We have separated them for about 24 hours and then they were okay for another day only for it to happen a day later. We have multiple litter boxes and food bowls around the house. I do think that maybe it could be a territorial thing but I am not sure. We have an outdoor cat that does like to come around but I’m not sure if that’s the cause either. They used to get along so well. It’s heartbreaking to have to separate them and keep one locked up. Especially since they seem to miss one another. Anyone have any suggestions. We have bought some calming gummies and she is scheduled for a vet visit in February. Just looking for some sort of insight or even some reassurance that this is normal. I hate having them apart but I am so worried about them together.

 

[The_Oracle_Pet_Sitter]

Hello all. Looking for help. My female cat and my male cat are litter mates. They have been together all of their lives. We adopted them when they were eight weeks old they are now four. Up until four days ago they got along great other than some rough and tumble play. Four days ago it turned really rough. My female cat has basically turned on my male cat without warning. Biting hissing growling. Some of the most crazy noises I have ever heard. She will pin him into a corner and not allow him to move. He defends himself but doesn’t know exactly what to do. This has been quite confusing to all involved. We haven’t changed anything. We have separated them for about 24 hours and then they were okay for another day only for it to happen a day later. We have multiple litter boxes and food bowls around the house. I do think that maybe it could be a territorial thing but I am not sure. We have an outdoor cat that does like to come around but I’m not sure if that’s the cause either. They used to get along so well. It’s heartbreaking to have to separate them and keep one locked up. Especially since they seem to miss one another. Anyone have any suggestions. We have bought some calming gummies and she is scheduled for a vet visit in February. Just looking for some sort of insight or even some reassurance that this is normal. I hate having them apart but I am so worried about them together.

Hi, I wonder if the outdoor cat is the source of the problem? You have to watch out for redirected aggression. If your female cat saw your outdoor cat and became angry that she couldn't go after him, she may have decided to take out her frustration on the next easiest feline target- her brother. Sounds rotten, but animals will be animals.

The longer the fighting goes on, the harder it will be for your cats to mend their relationship. I suggest trapping the outdoor cat and surrendering him to a shelter or rescue. Do something to get him to leave your property fast. Before you know it, you'll start seeing your property inundated with outdoor cats.

 

[catsinthegarden]

I'd definitely have her checked by a vet. Hyperthyroidism can cause a cat to become aggressive. If that's the case, getting her thyroid levels back to normal should take care of the problem.

 

[keleanora80]

Sorry to hear about the sudden change in behavior between your female and male cats. It sounds like a very stressful situation for all involved.

Based on what you've described, it's possible that the sudden aggression could be related to a territorial issue, especially if there have been any changes in their environment or routine. It's also possible that there could be an underlying medical issue or that the presence of the outdoor cat could be causing stress.

In the meantime, it's important to keep the cats separated to prevent any further physical harm. It's good that you've scheduled a vet visit for your female cat in February, but if the aggressive behavior continues, you may want to consider moving up the appointment or seeking the advice of a veterinary behaviorist.

In addition to the calming gummies, you could try creating a more calming environment for your cats. This could involve providing them with separate spaces to retreat to, using Feliway diffusers or sprays, and engaging them in interactive play to help relieve stress.

It's not uncommon for cats to experience changes in behavior, but it's always best to err on the side of caution and seek professional advice.