About Dear Tabbi Expertise My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too.
Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again.
Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials ***********
Awards and Honors * One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
Question I have had the same two cats for twelve years now. They are female, spayed from the same litter. Everything was fine until one day they suddenly hate each other. They want to kill each other and it's very serious. One has lived on top of the kitchen cabinets for three weeks now and she was the alpha cat. They are both just as mad as the other. Don't know what to do. I have to take her down to feed in separate room and use the cat box twice a day. She hates being up there but the other can't jump as high and it serves as a safe place for now. HELP!!
Answer Christine,
Suprisingly the problem your are having between your two elderly cats is not that uncommon. Your cats are approximately 64 years old in human years and their behavior is more than likely age-related. At that age they can get kitty Alzheimer's and act in a bizarre manner and get confused easily. Pain also makes cats aggressive which they could have from arthritis, or any number of things.
I would suggest finding a vet that specializes in geriatric cat care and their conditions. Not all vets do which can be detrimental to an elderly cat. They should have an "older cat checkup". They check the function of this kidneys, thyroid, liver, etc. These checkups should be done every six months when you have a geriatric cat. If caught early some conditions can be treated with medication, especially pain medication for arthritis, which will ease any discomfort, and extend their quality of life.
Being prepared and knowledgeable about elderly cats will make things easier for the cat and for you. I am including some very good links about elderly cats:
(Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar)
And I know it sounds morbid, but it has been proven that cats (and other animals) can smell the impending death in another animal and sometimes will attack it. I sincerely hope that it is not the case here, but because of their age, you do need to be prepared.
I am including this for future information ONLY: if you need to put your poor kitties to sleep at some point, or lose them, here is an EXCELLENT site for emotional support, and where you can have a memorial for your kitties:
I hope this helps. And don't get angry and frustrated with the cats, they are probably as confused about their behavior as you are. Give them a lot of reassurance and love. They need it now more than ever.
