Cat behavioral

Question
QUESTION: I have two female black Persian cats who were born 6/19/08.One is much larger than the other. They normally eat, drink, sleep and play together. However, since October the larger one, on two occasions, suddenly started growling and hissing at the smaller cat. This lasts approximately two days, then all is well again. Do you know why she would do this?:

ANSWER: Paulla,

It is possible that the larger one is coming into season.  It seems a bit young for a Persian, but some are quite precocious.  Since she is about 6 months, I would look at having them spayed.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt reply. I thought I had given you all the information you might need. I failed to tell you that we had them both spayed the 1st of December. The incidents I asked about happened before and after they were spayed. Maybe she is trying to be dominate because she is larger. I read an article that said animals don't have emotions, which I find hard to believe, but I try not to play favorites so as to avoid jealousy between them. Thanks again and if you have any other ideas, I would appreciate hearing them.  Paulla

Answer
Paulla,

If they were spayed a month ago, then the hormones are still in the their systems for a few weeks afterwards.

On the other hand, there is always the possibility there is an outside cat hanging around your household that is causing a flight/fight/fright reaction which would result in some of the behaviors you are describing.

In any event you should ignore the behavior and let them come to terms on their own.  People often ascribe human emotions and motives to cats.  The problem is that cats do not think like we do.  I believe they do have emotions, however, our interpretation of them is based on our being human, so as often as not we are off base in these interpretations.  The best thing you can do is to continue to be even handed in your treatment of the two cats and to not discipline or even acknowledge that the one may be behaving badly (in human terms).  What is clear to me is that we humans really do not understand how cats inter-relate.

Best regards... Norm.