Hi all. I'm after a bit of advice, if anyone can help? I have two gorgeous cats - Coriander and Rosemary. They are sisters and I've had them since they were kittens - they're 4 and a half now. They've always been fine with each other, sometimes nice, sometimes scrapping, but nothing serious.
Unfortunately, this summer Corrie has just been staying out of the house all the time - it's got to the point where I won't see her for 24/36 hours. I suppose I have to assume she's getting food from someone else 😠And when she does pop in she won't stay long and she and May are very unhappy with each other. Full on hissing and fighting. At first I just thought Corrie was just out enjoying the weather, but thinking about it, it might have started when she had to go to the vet and came back smelling like vet and all dopey - May just took against her and wouldn't go near. And months on, now my flat has just become May's territory.
I've been unsure what to do because my flat is really small and shutting them in seems unfair - plus it puts them right on top of each other. But after a few days this week of no Corrie and desperately missing and worrying about her, I decided I have to try. I miss her cuddles and purring! So as of yesterday they are staying indoors to try and re-establish them as a family, for at least until after firework night.
My question is what can I do to a) encourage them to get on, and b) stop them from being very bored and cross? It's been 24hrs and they've mostly slept and left each other alone so far, but they're starting to get a bit desperate to go outside now. I have 3 litter trays as separate and private as I can manage (I only have bedroom, bathroom and living room!) and separate feeding stations. I've been playing chase with them with new toys. They have multiple beds / sleeping areas and scratching posts. And both Feliway Classic and Feliway Friends plugged in!
Anything else? Does anyone have experience with territory issues in multi-cat households? I have to go to work tomorrow and I'm feeling very bad about them going mad with boredom all day. But really hoping this will help them get back to normal. Thank you for any advice! (And sorry this is a long post.)