Cat siblings squabbling

[SwattyPie]

My two are 2.5 years old, brother and sister, and until recently, got on really well. Nothing substantive has changed - other than the weather and the longer days, so less outside time, but they have started attacking each other and it seems to be getting worse. They have a very large open plan kitchen diner that they spend most of their days in (when not outside), with multiple sleeping places that they seem content to take turns in. Two litter trays available, always 2 bowls of wet food. Constant supply of dry biscuits. No fighting over food or anywhere near it. Just when one is relaxing, or on me, the other will properly go for them. Seems to be the brother starting it most often. They are spayed/castrated. Both very affectionate towards me. Is this jealousy fuelled rivalry? Any suggestions? I'm not sure about investing in Felaway as they are in such a big space, I'm not sure a diffuser would make much difference?

We have a massive open plan kitchen dinner and our cats have the run of the house. If our two (male, unrelated) have a squabble, I can put money on the fact that the Feliway friends have run out, so it clearly does something! We have one in the kitchen diner and another on the landing! Fairly expensive habit but worth it!

My two would fight if there was another cat in their garden. One of them once too a chunk out of the others ear. They weren’t as bonded as the rescue thought they were, once they settled in. But rubbed along well. When the dominant one died, the other one absolutely blossomed.

I would add extra litter trays (the ideal is one per cat plus one extra) and try the Feliway plug-ins.

It sounds like it’s fuelled by boredom if they’re not going out as much - is that by choice?

2 and a half is about the age when they start seriously falling out with each other. We had two girls who adored each other and then it was like a switch was flipped and those days were over.

If they are always together in one room, there may not be space for them both to have their own space or places to get away from each other. Or enough stimulation for them. I'd have a look at some Jackson Galaxy videos about cats that don't get on.

Not all cats are sensitive to Feliway but when it works, it really works. Always worth trying.

It’s boredom with the wet, cold, rainy days! It’s like two human siblings being kept in all weekend they bicker and fight and wind each other up, one will prod the other then an insult will be thrown in and then the next minute a full blown argument! See how they are in the spring when the weather improves.

Thanks all. I think it is definitely boredom so am trying to play with boy cat as much as possible. He does love a laser! Have also invested in some Felaway, although bought a slightly less expensive one from eBay, so hoping it's still the real deal!

Second this. I have two in the kitchen diner, one in the hall, one in the lounge, one in dining room… it’s a lot but in a multicat household you can get squabbles. Our sibling (brothers) don’t fight but their mum can get fed up with them and we did have an unrelated cat (sadly passed now) who hated them and it really chilled them all out. I also use Scrumbles calming treats every day.