PLEASE help me with my fighting cats!

[MetalSmitten]

did the vet check her for a UTI ? i'd assume they probably did, but if not, that'd be my suspect.

do they share a single litterbox?

i'd also think maybe your hormones are stressing them, especially as you're getting closer to your due date (congrats!). it's also possible that something happened while you weren't home that could have triggered a fear response... it's really hard to say =/

 

[rilly10]

Quote:
Thanks! That makes me feel a bit better. Pearl has always been attached to my hip, and Dexter has recently shown a lot more interest in snuggling with me, which I did think was odd, since he is not really a cuddler. I did not even think of that! I will relay the info to DH, he is just worried about protecting the baby, which I am too, but getting rid of Dexter just is not an option in my mind.

 

[rilly10]

Quote:
Thanks! I am going to have DH swiffer all the floors with Natures Miracle again when he gets home, I already have all of the sheets/area rungs in the wash to be safe. Thank god for wood floors!

A UTI was the first thing I thought which was why I brought her to the vet last night. I did not even think of her being upset from a fight. I saw it happen the second time though and she literally peed herself while trying to get away from Dexter. She is starting the fights, but he is winning. Dexter was at the vet last week for his annual exam and everything was fine. The vet did say they would draw blood in a few weeks if this dosn't straighten itself out, but she thought it was stress induced.

 

[they'reHISchickens]

You said nothing has changed and then said you are due in a month. BIG CHANGE!!! The cats are sensing things you arent' aware of. Please make sure you are in control of things and that both cats know you are in charge.
God Bless and good luck!

 

[rilly10]

Quote:
You are probably right! I bet it is me. I have been a mess. I was sobbing Sunday night because I lost my turtle (the rain flooded out her pond and now she is nowhere to be found), then wasn't feeling well Mon AM, so kinda stormed out for work, them came home to the mess and have been a wreck since. I just hope this all works out soon and doesn't turn into some vicious cycle.

Thanks so much everyone for all of the support and ideas. I truly appreciate it!

 

[rilly10]

Well they just both got sprayed by my water bottle for puffing up, growling and hissing while trying to cross paths. Should I just keep spraying them and keep them separated when unsupervised? I am heading to Petsmart now for Feliway and maybe another cat tree. Hopefully someone from CatAngel (the local rescue) will be there that may have some advice for me. I am also stopping at McDonalds for a Strawberry Milkshake to regulate my hormones LOL!

 

[MetalSmitten]

hearing that you'd had a particularly bad day when this started does make me think they're reacting to your hormones and stress. they're almost certainly aware that something is different about you, and aren't sure what to do. take some time if you can, separate them one at a time into a room where you can personally give them individual attention and treats for a little bit every day. wait until they come up to you though, don't reward them by petting them when they're acting fearful or nervous (ie, don't console them). but when they're relaxed and being good, make sure each one gets some love. that might help reassure them.

if they only have one litterbox, you might also consider putting a second in another area of the house, that way your male cat can't "guard" a single box and claim it as his territory. he may be staking claims in anticipation of changes. it is unusual for a cat to pee when scared (not necessarily unheard of, but, not as common as with dogs being submissive pee'ers) especially if she's never done it before... makes me wonder if she just didn't have access to her box all day and so couldn't hold it when he frightened her.

 

[Cpprpnny19]

When the baby is born have your hubby bring home a
wet diaper from the baby and place it on the floor.
Sounds gross but it will have the smell of the baby
and gets them used to his/her smell.

Worked great for my 4! Hubby said they sniffed the diaper and walked
away. When I brought home the baby a few days later, they
walked by the carrier, sniffed and wandered away. Of course, later
on we had a laugh because he woke up just as a cat was going by...
Cat jumped 3 feet up rofl!

Lynne

 

[punk-a-doodle]

The most logical thing to me at first reading, is that (sounds like the male in particular) is reacting to something involving the baby. CHanges to the home and routine, changes in your hormones/mood, something along those lines. That said, regardless of the reason, continued fighting could worsen their bond long term. I would consider keeping them separate, and alternating the side of the house/area each one has so they continue to smell each other. I'd do this until they are both given time to adjust to the new baby. But, that's just if the cause is actually baby-related.

 

[rilly10]

Just got off the phone with the vet! She suggested:

1-continue to keep them separate when not supervised
2-continue to spray them with water when they get aggressive
3-keep up with the baby powder/vanilla on them so they smell alike
4-add a THIRD litter box to be safe (already have 2) same with bowls
5-spray all scratching posts, cat trees, beds, etc with feiliway daily
6-give them treats or fun new toys when they are in the same room and behaving

She said it sounds like redirected aggression which is common especially with Siamese. We are thinking it may have stemmed from them seeing the feral cats through the sliding doors, or due to my hormones/pregnancy. She said this happened with her friend's siamese who were seniors and had been together for 9 years. It took weeks but they are fine now. Funny thing is I got the second cat (Dexter the Siamese mix) because another vet at the practice recommended it! Pearl was a very demanding kitten, and even with the two dogs was showing separation anxiety symptoms, so he said get another kitten, preferably another oriental breed since they are so clingy and needy.

This should be a relaxing last few weeks on Maternity Leave LOL!