Tabbi jealous aggresive cats

Question
Hi Tabbi.

Please will you help with the below.

I currently have 2 cats - an eight year old female and a one and a half year old male (not thoroughbreds). She's always been the love of my life, however I got him to keep her company as we work long hours.

Ever since we got him, she has been incredibly jealous of him and they've fought like cat and dog. It is now however getting to a stage where they fight daily and it is getting incredibly vicious - to the point where they are really hurting each other.

I love them both. If I give her a bit of love and attention, he gets very upset with me and will either withdraw and keep to himself, or attack her and if I give him a bit of love and attention, she will ignore me and becomes all depressed.

Please let me know what I should be doing and should not be doing in order to have a peaceful loving home again.

Thankyou!!

Tania.

Answer
Tania,

I'm very sorry I didn't answer your question earlier but the hard drive in my computer died and I was just able to get it replaced.

My personal opinion is the re-home the younger cat to restore harmony to your home again.

Your older cat is approximately 48 years old and the younger one is a teenager in human years. If the older cat has been happy this long being alone then bringing in another cat at this stage in her life will upset her greatly. It can cause her to have behavior and emotional problems, and could also cause her health problems from the stress.

When you get a companion for a cat it's best to get one about the same age and temperament.

Tabbi