Weird cat behavior

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   PrettyPantherposted 11 years ago

   We have two adult female cats who we adopted as kittens (they are sisters).  They have always gotten along fine, sleeping together and playing together.  We recently adopted three more kittens, males from the same litter.  We live on a farm, so the cats are both pets and mouse controllers.  Since we brought home the kittens about a month ago, one of our adult cats, Midnight, suddenly wants nothing to do with her adult sister, Shadow.  She growls and hisses at her if she comes near.  I can understand her not liking the new kittens, but why is she suddenly hostile towards her own sister?  Any thoughts?
   
   It isn't really a big deal; I'm just curious why a cat would behave this way.

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      Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      If the any of the cats are not neutered, the rift between sisters could have something to do with competition.

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   A Driveby Quipperposted 11 years ago

   Too many cats.

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      lorlie6posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      

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   abbyw1989posted 11 years ago

   Perhaps the female cat had a go at one of the kittens (to put him in his place, she felt it's her home and he should do what she says!) and the other female didn't like her sister picking on the kitten. You never know with cats, hopefully all will be forgotten and forgiven and they'll all get along

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   When you add a new cat the whole social dynamic changes. I hope they are all neutered!

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      PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      The girls are spayed and the boys will be neutered when they're about six months old.  The only animals around here that aren't "fixed" are the breeding livestock.

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         paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         WOW! Sounds like one tough farm! I have cancelled my bus ticket.

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            PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            LOL, not so fast.  It is quite peaceful and pretty here.

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         mistyhorizon2003posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Your poor Hubby

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            A Driveby Quipperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Don't get your hopes up.

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   Jeramiposted 11 years ago

   after the males are neutered the chemistry in the air will return to normal

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   SaritaJBonitaposted 11 years ago

   Have you tried any of the Feliway products?  The product comes in a spray, a plug-in diffuser, and a collar.  Each of them disperses cat phermones that calm them down.  I don't know the exact mechanism of action, but it's basically like "kitty xanax."  The spray wears off after a certain period of time, and the diffuser has a limited range of effectiveness, so I would say the collar would be your best bet.  You could put it on your "problem cat" and see if it changes her behavior any.
   
   I have a cat named Lilah Rosebud, who is a year and a half and I swear she is a special needs cat.  The Feliway collar has done wonders for her, and she's a completely different cat!  I think I paid $15 at Petsmart, and the collar lasts for 30 days.  It's also a breakaway collar, seeing as how your cats are probably outdoor cats.  The collar also has a nice lavender scent to it
   
   Good luck, hope things work out!
   
   PS - If you need any help mucking stalls I'll take paradigmsearch's bus ticket (as long a you pay me, lol).  I need a job something wicked and I'm desperate!

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      PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Where do you live, Sarita?
      
      I have used Feliway.  I used it several years ago for an older cat who didn't like the new kitten we brought in and was peeing in one corner of the dining room.  It worked!
      
      Because we live on a farm, the angry cat stays outside most of the time (her choice) so it isn't such a problem that we need to get Feliway.  I was just curious about the behavior.  The kittens were very tiny when we got them, so it was hard to believe it was because they were males, but maybe that is the cause.

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      UnknownAuthor72posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much for sharing what I can get for our cats. We have 10 now. We are a foster/rescue home for cats and dogs. In the past year now we have rescued 40 cats and 4 dogs. I am the dog lover and spouse is cat lover. I will pick up these collars. Everyone gets along fine on most days. They seem to have a favorite spot and everyone else seems to respect it.
      thanks again. sorry about rambling, lol

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   If you notice they form sub-groups with their own areas, provide food etc for each area--that will reduce conflict.

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      PrettyPantherposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is a good suggestion.  I hadn't thought about that.

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   SaritaJBonitaposted 11 years ago

   PrettyPanther,
   
   I was just kidding about the job, but I live in upstate NY just in case you really were offering a place of employment, lol.
   
   If we spent our lives figuring out why cats behave the way they do, we would all have to become hermits because it would be a 24 hour a day, never ending job.  I know that some areas have animal behavior experts, perhaps you could check with your local vet?

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