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Expert: - 4/26/2010


Question
We have two surmese sisters from the same litter, one brown and one beige, they are two years old. The brown, we got first and 3 weeks later the beige. The brown is a lot smaller but has always been the dominant one. They have been inseparable sleeping ying and yang and playing together. Suddenly they have started fighting and the brown one spits. At times in the night they will still curl up together but mostly they keep well away.  When they do get together there is excessive grooming that you know will end in tears. Just before this all happened the brown one had a bad incident whereby she jumped and bit on a "glow stick" when the lights went out and had the filling in her mouth. The beige one went to lick her and it was as if she thought the other one had done it. Is ther anything we can do to retrain them?

Answer
Hi Margaret,

Sorry this took so long to answer. I have a a very sick cat here that took me away from the computer. Glow sticks have hydrogen peroxide in them. The taste of the stuff probably startled them but I don't think that is the cause of your problem. I think it might be redirected aggression. Take a look around and see if there is a cat or dog around that they can see, (maybe out a window or door). I think this is what is setting them off. After you find the area, (animal), that is bothering them, remove their line of sight of the strange animal.

Next try a cat intro protocol with them. This will be the best thing to get them together. But first make sure they can't see the strange animal. Here are a couple of links that might help you. Good luck.

http://www.kingstownecatclinic.com/Redirected%20Aggression.htm

http://www.catcenter.org/Documents/11_cat_to_cat_relationships/pdf%201102%20sfsp...

Ciao, Karen  

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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