Warring cats!

[beckersjay]

I have two rescue cats that have lived with us for some 7/8 years. Wile they have never been exactly friends, after the first couple of weeks they learned to tolerate each other and have been on reasonably good terms since. In the past few weeks, though, the older cat has taken to attacking the younger one without any obvious provocation - not enough to cause physical injury but the younger cat is definitely getting a bit nervous. Has anyone any ideas how to deal with this? I have heard that Feliway spray might help - anyone had experience of this?

[boxtops]

How old's the older one? Mine were OK for the first couple of years, then they started developing a definite pecking order.

[beckersjay]

Not exactly sure of their ages as they were both rescued. To the best of our knowledge they are around 14 and 8 years old.

[beckersjay]

Should have said they are both female

[boxtops]

I think ours was jealousy as much as pulling rank. It might be worth having a word with your vet, just to see if the older one has a problem - if he's not well he could be tetchy. Felway can be good - I've never tried it but I have heard good reports.

[beckersjay]

I think your suggestion about a word with the vet makes sense. The older cat has some stiffness/arthritis after a bad fall some years ago and it could be she is in pain.

[boxtops]

Look luck with them, beckersjay - I know the difference in the household when there's relative peace (having said that, my two are fighting across the back of the sofa at the moment...!)

[ladybirder]

Feliway Spray has helped calm my cat beckersjay so you could give it a try. The bad news is that 2 females are the worst combination - although if they lived together all those years without a problem then there must be hope. Good Luck.

[beckersjay]

Thanks Ladybirder! We didn't intend to have two female cats because we knew there might be problems but these two badly needed homes.......
I think I'll try a dual Feliway/vet approach and see what happens.

[Krystalpig]

Feliway is good either in room diffuser form or spray. It is expensive but worth it for peace and quiet. You could also try getting Metacam for you stiff older cat as it has helped my 11 year old boy who used to jump from windows and is now suffering for it. It helps with joint movement and improves his bad temper as he isn't in as much pain if any now. Good luck.