Cat siblings suddenly growling at each other?
Hello,
We picked up our cats from the animal shelter yesterday. They are two siblings, a female and a male, both about 1 year old. According to the shelter, they've always gotten along great, even when we came to visit them. Both cats have already been neutered.
Last night and tonight, the two of them grew at each other and sometimes even chased each other away. Generally, the cat is much more trusting than the tomcat, but things are getting better.
What could be the reason for the hissing and bitching?
New territory means they might fight over privileges. My bed, my feeding place, etc. Even if they know each other and get along, it's possible that one bed belongs to him and another to hers. Even if they're often together or the wrong one is in it, it's not always forbidden.
What this looks like is different for each character. Some play/fight over it, or even chase it away. Some make screaming/hissing noises while playing/fighting, others are silent.
These fights start with kittens from the day they are born and can last their entire lives 🙂
My cat's bed: If someone is lying in it and he doesn't like it, he just hisses in that direction, then gets up and goes somewhere else. He doesn't even have to want to go into his bed; he just doesn't like the fact that someone is in there. As an example,
That they are living beings and cats at that.
Yes, even if they generally get along, it is perfectly normal for them to have their own opinions and they are not always the same at the same time.
That's due to the new environment. They'll get used to it.
Hopefully the tomcat is neutered. It may simply be due to the new environment that they think they have to mark out their territory
Both cats are already neutered.
The animals need to get used to it first. The tomcat is probably just anxious. Give them both time.
When stressed, cats react differently than usual.
A change of location is extremely stressful for cats, as they are territorial by nature.
The two are also in their rebellious years now. They'll fight sometimes. They'll calm down once they've calmed down. It's best to make sure they can avoid each other. So don't lock them in a room or anything like that.
Have fun with the new owners!
A) territorial behavior
And
B) beginning of puberty and thus differentiation from the sibling kitten.