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Cats/Fighting siblings!!!!
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Question
I recently moved my cats from the home they grew up in together to a new apartment. As soon as they got here they displayed all the behavior i expected they would except one thing. They started hissing and growling at each other. They haven't fought yet but avoid each other at all costs.
I think it might have something to do with the fact that the owner of the apartment beforehand has cats that she did not clean up after well. The house had reeked of cat urine when we first moved in. We have cleaned and don't smell it anymore but I'm sure the cats can. Is it possible that the smells of other cats still lingering in the apartment could be causing this strange aggressive behavior towards each other?
Martha,
In my opinion, you have assessed the situation absolutely accurately. In time the cats will adjust and get on. Whether they will inter-relate exactly the same as before remains to be seen. It could be weeks or months until things return to some kind of normalcy. Foir a cat, moving to a new territory turns their entire world topsy truvy, so yoiu must have lost of patience with them. If they arfe eating normally and have no litter pan issues, this id a very good sign.
One thing you might try is to put a Feliway diffuser (availbale at most pet supermarkets) where they spend their most time. It might just calm things down a bit.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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