Can''t handle my cats fighting - help!

[Miss Sparkly]

In short, I have two cats. A four year old, long hair siamese male named Skye and a black female who is a bit over one year old. We had Skye for a year originally but found him a new home due to fighting with our other male cat (at the time), spraying all over the house and clawing up the furniture. During the year that Skye was gone our other male cat passed away and we adopted Bells, our black female. Last year in March Skye was left in bad shape outside of a local cat rescue and they tracked us down. We agreed to take in Skye, and both the shelter and ourselves thought that he would be okay with another cat who is female. They''ve been okay together, however, the last two weeks have been hell for them and I! They are always fighting, Skye paces the halls making odd noises, and he''s marking everywhere again. I''ve had to toss out rugs because I can''t get the cat urine out of them (they''ve been peed on that much). I don''t know what to do. Both are fixed since kittenhood, I''ve consulted vets, petstores, cat rescues, etc and all tried everything they suggested. I have the option of "returning" Skye to the no kill shelter where he would live until he''s adopted. I''m thinking this might be the best option for the cats, myself and my husband. I know that the cat''s behavior is putting a strain on DH and I as I don''t want to "dump" him again and DH can''t stand the fighting. Any thought of what might help the cats and myself?

 

[yssie]

I don''t have any suggestions, but I''m sorry you''re going through this

Skye really does sound miserable. I''m the first to object to giving up your pets when you can take care of them, but... perhaps he would be happier in a new home as a single kitty?


If it''s just started in these two weeks.. can you take your girl to the vet and make sure there were no issues with her spay? Probably sounds strange, but I was at the local shelter and there was a cat who had been spayed who still had to be kept in isolation because the male kitties wouldn''t leave her alone..

 

[VRBeauty]

Male cats -- spayed or not -- can start hankering for and seeking out a female -- spayed or not -- during the springtime. I''ve seen this effect first-hand between two of my cats. My male was 5-10 years old and neutered for most of that time, and the female was in her dotage. That year, for some reason, the neutering had little or no impact on my male cat.

Is it possible that there''s a male hanging around outside the house that''s setting Skye off? His behavior sounds more like territorial behavior than aggression, more seasonal than persistent. It''s still important to clean the marking as thoroughly as possible to discourage repeat performances. You might also talk to your vet about anti-anxiety medications, especially if he''s also harassing your female cat.

 

[Laila619]

I''m going through the same thing, except I have two female cats who go at it all the time. It''s awful! I wish I had advice for you, but I don''t know how to stop the fighting myself.

 

[stepcutnut]

Have you tried Feliway Spray or diffusers? They are feline pheramones that are suppose to calm your cats down. We also had this issue and use both the diffusers and spray every day for several months and they really seemed to do wonders. The spray is more concentrated than the diffuser, but you need to go around and physically spray it everyday. Good luck, as the situation can be super miserable on everybody!

 

[lulu]

Feliway really can help. So can anti-anxiety meds from the vet. I''d try those 2 things before rehoming him.

 

[Amethyste]

you can try the feliway or get the vet to get you some prozac...
My rescue was VERY nervous and she was on that for 3 months... then off, she is ok now... But we have only ONE cat. Getting another one tomorrow - i hope they will get along!

 

[Steel]

I am surprised they fight so much having had the snip

.

I am in the tough love camp and would suggest you invest in a squirty bottle.

Choose who you want to be the dominant pussycat (ideally the one that IS more dominant) and when it kicks off, dive in and squirt the less dominant cat making firm but low toned admonishes to the less dominant cat. Then when it is over reassure the dominant cat and offer him/her treats.

I have 4 cats and it works for me.