Expert: Karen Craft - 7/9/2007

Question
We have two cats-white cat (resembles a Siamese and has always been very timid) and black cat (born without a tail and has always been dominant cat-not aggressive but eats first and is "laid back").  Our cats have the same mother (stray cat who saw fit to deliver in our barn five years ago).  Both were spayed about 4 years ago and have lived in harmony i.e. sleep together, groom each other, inside our home ever since.  Two months ago white cat literally attacked black cat leaving black cat terrified.  We have separated them but when doors get accidentally left open (about 5-6 times in two months) it is obvious the problem is as bad as ever.  Black cat will sometimes go to the bedroom door and just hiss as if afraid white cat is close by.  Neither cat displays any other personality changes, their appetites and general health seem fine. We sure hate to get rid of one as my daughter is attached to both of them to the point she used to let them sleep on top of her.
Black cat stays in her room now 24/7 and doesn't try to get out while white cat has the rest of the house.  I hope you have a solution as I've come up with nothing or no one who has ever heard of this problem.

Answer
Hi Sandy,

It sounds like something set off the dominant cat and he is directing his aggression out on the other cat. Are there any strays around? This will sometimes trigger behavior like you have going on. If there is, try to make sure the white cat can't see it. Get a product called Feliway. This stuff acts as a kitty tranquilizer and will calm the white one down.

Did you take one cat to the vet and not the other? This will also trigger aggression. If you did write back and I will help you there.

There are certain meds you can give the white one to calm him down. You should also take him to the vet to make sure he is ok. See if can figure out what changed right before this aggression happened. It could be something like a new person in the household. Write back and let me know if anything changed. Also try the Feliway. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen