Sibling cat rivalry

Question
Question:
We have two cats-white cat (resembles a Siamese and has always been very timid) and black cat (born without a tail and has always been dominant cat-not aggressive but eats first and is "laid back").  Our cats have the same mother (stray cat who saw fit to deliver in our barn five years ago).  Both were spayed about 4 years ago and have lived in harmony i.e. sleep together, groom each other, inside our home ever since.  Two months ago white cat literally attacked black cat leaving black cat terrified.  We have separated them but when doors get accidentally left open (about 5-6 times in two months) it is obvious the problem is as bad as ever.  Black cat will sometimes go to the bedroom door and just hiss as if afraid white cat is close by.  Neither cat displays any other personality changes, their appetites and general health seem fine. We sure hate to get rid of one as my daughter is attached to both of them to the point she used to let them sleep on top of her.
Black cat stays in her room now 24/7 and doesn't try to get out while white cat has the rest of the house.  I hope you have a solution as I've come up with nothing or no one who has ever heard of this problem


Hi, I read this question on this site, and I have the exact same problem. Exactly the same -- kind of weird, actually.
We recently took one cat to the vet and not the other, and the answer for that question said that could be a problem, but didnt specify. Could you elaborate?

Answer
Ashley,

I'm sorry, but the person that answered the question was Karen (expert under heading of "Cats").

Aggression due to vet visits: Cats go by smell and not by sight in recognizing other cats (with humans, they go by voice...not by sight). Your cat that went to the vet brought home MANY different smells from the vet: anesthetic, medicinal smells, and smells of other cats...all clinging to their fur and skin so the cat that did not go to the vet thinks the cat that did is another cat....because he/she doesn't doesn't smell like it used to. As the cats groom themselves they will be replacing their regular scent. You can keep them separated if you want until the smells are gone from their fur. It will take a few days. A trick that I've heard a lot of people use in that situation (though I have never tried it) is to put a small drop of vanilla on each cat's forehead so they smell the same.

The cat may also have what is called Redirected Aggression. That happens when a cat sees a strange cat outside and becomes territorial, but can't get to the strange cat to defend his territory. The cat then turns on the closest animal member of the family and fights with them as if they were the other cat.  You may not see the animal that the cat sees. The first thing you need to do is block the window past the cat's eye level of the window he can see another cat out of (out of sight, out of mind). If it is allowed to go on your cat may develop a permanent personality change. Also put the cat in a room by itself for at least 4 hours to calm down when he behaves like that. I am including links to 2 good articles on Redirected Aggression that may be helpful to you:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/aggression3.html
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library%26act=show%26item=redirecte...

There is a great calming product that you can add to the cat's food or water that reduces anxiety, stress, or aggression (using non-toxic, natural ingredients) called Bach's Rescue Remedy. A LOT of people swear by it. It is available on-line and in health food stores (people use it too). More information about Bach's can be found on these websites:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm
http://www.nelsonbach.com/BFE_for_pets.html
http://www.petsynergy.com/flower.html
http://www.oes.org/page1/Bach-Rescue-Remedy.html

You may want to try feeding the cats TOGETHER some yummy cat treats, such as canned tuna (people kind), tinned sardines in oil, etc. That is so the cats will associate each other with something pleasant and not negative.

Also getting a pet laser light (Petco, PetSmart, etc.) is helpful. Cats love to chase the little red 'bug' and they tend to forget about each other, which can help them get along.

If your cat is still being very stressed the vet can put him on "kitty Prozac" for a short term (usually 2 weeks) until he calms down. You may want to speak to the vet about it.

But first make sure it's not a medical issue that you or the vet may not bet aware of causing the aggressive behavior. Pain from ear problems, tooth problems, etc. can cause aggression.
Whenever a cat changes his behavior noticeably, then there is a problem somewhere, be it emotional or physical.

I hope this was helpful.

Tabbi