cats not getting on

[HJT40]

Hi, I am probably answering my own question here....

I have two cats, one is 3 and the other not yet a year old. The older one has been neutered, the younger one has not yet been done. They used to get on and tollerate each other, now the older one growels and the pesky little one. Is this because he still has his bits and the older one sees or smells this as a threat to his position?

[andy-hughes]

We have had theis type of question before -

Cats are pack animals, and there is a pecking order.

A maturing cat down the line will often try his luck at moving up the order by challening a senior cat. This will end in one of two ways - senior cat will inform junior that he is punching above his weight - this will take the form of a lot of noise, spitting, and yowling, the odd fight, and then things will go on as before, or -

the junior cat will manage to assert his position, which will usually be the result of a lot more yowling, spitting, and more serious fights, then some sulking and avoidance of each other, and then everything will settle down.

What you as pack leader need to do is keep out of it, let them sort it out for themselves, and everything will return to normal - until the next time.

This is all perfectly normal behaviour, and it is the way of the cat world, so resist the temptation to step in - especially in defence of the under-cat, which ever one it may be.

They must sort it out for themselves, and having done so, everyone will settle down, and life will go on.

[lizzydrippin]

I take it the younger one is still too young to be nuetered? Im sure that would help a fair bit though I do agree with andy-hughes post.

[HJT40]

Thank you both, guess I will have to get used to being woken up to the noise of growling until the little one leaves the other one alone to sleep in of a morning.

Andy - I did look before putting this question on here, sorry if it has been asked before, but thank you for answering me anyway! ;-)

[andy-hughes]

You are most welcome.

I didn't mean to make it seem as tough you were wasting site space by asking your Question - on re-reading my answer, it may have looked as if i was ticking you off!

That certainly was not my intention, I hope it didn't come over like that.