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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Why has one cat now rejected the other when they used to be close?

8 replies

Brontebiscuits · 18/09/2016 12:37

I'm a bit sad about it . Adopted 2 female cats over a year and a half ago when they were 6 months old. They were not sisters but together since small kittens. Rescue said that dcat1 was the only other cat that dcat2 would tolerate (I guess this is very relevant now!). They were close up until a couple of months ago, at a guess. Would sleep together (not all the time but quite regularly), groom one another, dcat2 would follow dcat1 around outside. But dcat1 has now taken to hissing at and batting dcat2 if she comes anywhere near her or if she wants her to move off my knee or get out the way. Actually it's a very weird noise she's makes, almost like a series of small sneezes that turn into a hiss at the end Confused.

Dcat1 is a tricky customer, very nervy and won't let the kids touch her. She likes me and formerly dcat2. That was it. There were signs of them becoming less close gradually to be honest, again on dcat1's side . Less and less time together and not mutual grooming as much but it's such a shame she's now being openly hostile towards dcat2. I think I know the answer in that there's not much to be done but wondered if anyone had any advice? Thanks.

OP posts:
Brontebiscuits · 18/09/2016 12:38

Sorry at the start it should say that dcat2 is the only cat that dcat1 would tolerate!!

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 18/09/2016 12:51

I take it that they're both neutered?

Brontebiscuits · 18/09/2016 12:52

Yes they're both neutered.

OP posts:
EwanWhosearmy · 18/09/2016 13:52

Have you taken cat 1 to the vet? If she's not feeling well she may not want the other cat near her. Tried Feliway?

Brontebiscuits · 18/09/2016 13:59

They've both just had checkups and vaccinations last week. I've had feliway plugged in for months too! I really think that dcat1 is just a 'lone wolf' type of personality and this is how it will be from now on. Shame.

OP posts:
cozietoesie · 18/09/2016 14:28

What's the weather been like during the 'period of hostilities'? And do they go outside?

cozietoesie · 18/09/2016 14:30

Ah, sorry - I see that they do go out.

TheNoodlesIncident · 19/09/2016 22:42

I had to rehome one of my two after hostilities broke out. The difference in the one I kept is amazing, now she is no longer stressed with her mum trying to drive her off, hissing at her, striking out if she came too close, etc.

Unfortunately it's very stressful for both cats, even the dominant one. She started to overgroom herself, although she didn't look as wretched as the other. Ultimately the kindest thing to both animals is to rehome one of them. If one can't tolerate other cats around, they will never be happy together. Sad

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