Ask the Veterinarian/Fighting sister!

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Expert: - 3/5/2010


Question
I have two spayed sister cats. I rescued them about 2 or so years ago and they were the best of friends. A few months ago my one cat was in the window sleeping and was spooked by a large(maybe male) cat outside. I scared the cat away and about 20 minutes later it came back when both of my girls were in the window. They ended up attacking each other to the extreme! They are still fighting even months after this whole ordeal. I have tried everything to make them live in harmony but its not working.Seperating them, spraying them with water, putting the one in a cage with the other one free and vice versa, you name it, I probably tried it. So my question is this, would seperate litter boxes make a difference? I havent tried this one yet. Any helpful advice would be appriciated!!! Thanks!

p.s Giving one away isnt a option.

Answer
I wouldn't even suggest you giving one away! What is going on here is not uncommon from stray cats being in the yard.

For some strange reason, when cats inside see strays outside they get very territorial and of course the only one they can take their frustrations out on is each other.

There are a couple of options you can try. The first one is Feliway. Feliway is a feline pheromone that makes cats feel like everything around them is peachy and wonderful. It comes in many forms, including something you plug into a socket to spray it in the room all day long.
People have mixed results with it.

The other one is drug therapy for one or both of them. Most vets use Amitriptyline, which is a safe drug that helps with mood. You could try it on one cat or both, but you have to get it from the vet.

Call them and have a consultation with your vet and ask which is the best way to go.
I hope you have some peace soon. I think that as time passes these two will stop fighting with each other but as long as they can see strays outside you might have this problem.

Please let me know how it goes with them in a while.  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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