How can I stop my cat from being aggressive to my other cat (see details)?

Question

I have two indoor male cats, both neutered.  Usually they get along fine; play-fighting, chasing each other, etc, and occasionally the younger cat even licks/grooms the older cat.  But once in a while, the older cat  (2 years old) escapes outside. When we catch him and bring him back in, the younger cat (1 year old) gets very aggressive and hostile towards the older one, hissing, clawing, and screeching at the older cat.  I'm guessing the older cat picked up some rogue scent on his fur while he was outside and that's what the younger cat is reacting to; however, this is purely speculation.

Would bathing the older cat remove the scent?  (Although I hate to make him feel like he's being punished just because of the younger cat's actions.)

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

one don't let the older cat out side any more if you can help it .also you can get some calming meds or devil be gone both meds are made for cats and you can go online to foster smith and grant the link to there website is below or kv vet or petco the links are in that order the last meds in the link i have use and they work just the last one is for short time use only you can hurt and or kill your cat if long time use is done

brutusmom · Answer

Of course, you already realize that your cat shouldn't get outside, for many reasons.

Yes, the hissing, etc is a reaction to the smells that have been picked up by the "escapee".  Every time he gets outside, then comes back in, this will happen.  Either let the two cats "work it out", or you can TRY to bathe the "smelly" one.  But, if he's gonna get out again and again, it's pointless to bathe him.

It's really better that neither of them get outside.  Vehicles, poisons, dogs, etc are only part of the problems that the cat will face outside.  There are also diseases from cats that haven't been given their shots, so can be carriers of fatal diseases.

So, for the health of BOTH of your cats, PLEASE try to keep them indoors.

Good luck..............

old cat lady · Answer

You are right about the scent.  Put a small drop of vanilla extract or scented hand lotion on both the cats - the nose and under the tail.

That has a very strong scent and both the cats will smell the same.

Veronica Alicia · Answer

A water spray might help both - to tone down the outdoor smells on the escapee and a salutory lesson for the aggressor.

Jay · Answer

there's really not much you can do... the other cat might smell that he's been outside and be mad that he didnt get outside, or there could just be some foreign smell on him that he doesn't like... also the fighting is just a male dominance thing, it happens with just about all cats

mitchhiggs · Answer

Yes washing him would get rid of the scent. Or maybe he smells the scents of another animal from outside

Haley XD · Answer

what you need to do is keep him inside because what it is is that he probably smells scents that are threatening to him or just that he didnt get to go outside. bathing isnt the smartest idea bcuz it ruins their skin.....Hope that helps

xxkayrinnnxx · Answer

when my cats start to fight with eachother i just show them a lot af affection<3

Anonymous · Answer

don't you dare give him a bath he will think of punisment and will 'cause bad behaveyour try seperateing them it could work

Anonymous · Answer

put your 2 fingers up to their neck and say "tsst"

Trending News

How can I stop my cat from being aggressive to my other cat (see details)?

12 Answers