cat fights

[widow]

I have two neutered male cats - brothers - approx. 18mths old. I got them from a rescue centre in February.
Until about 2 weeks ago they got on really well, grooming one another, playing and sometimes snuggling up together. Now they have started lashing out, hissing and growling, but they don't seem to have a problem feeding together. Has anyone got an idea of what's going on please.

[andy-hughes]

This is pack hierarchy exercising itslef, and is perfectly normal.

In any pack situation - which is two or more cats, one or other will try for the 'top cat' position - first feedling, best place for a warm, and so on.

Usually, eventuallly, the more determined cat will push for his status - that's the growling and spitting, and similar 'come on if you think you're hard enough ... behaviour and the other cat(s) will agree, and step down the pecking order, and peace will resume.

If however any other cat(s) are not ready to give up their potential top spot, they will fight for it, until they either decide to give in, and let the other have his way, or push until they win, and the other cat backs down.

All you can do is leave them to it. This is perfectly normal cat pack interaction - they will sort out for themselves who is going to be 'in charge' and that will be that. You may not notice any serious cahnges in behaviour, but they will be happy knowing their own place.

The reason why this has started now is that your cats are growing into mature males, and the hierarcy kicks in, and they sort it. Don't interfere, it's nature's way.

Hope that helps.

[widow]

Thank you so much Andy-Hughes, that was a great help and has set my mind at rest. I'll stop worrying and let them get on with it.

[wolf63]

I have brother and sister cats. They are regularly having fights, they sound pretty bad fights. Sometimes there are injuries - usually the stupid male cat. His sister has big paws and usually just whacks him on the face.

I usually leave them to it. I really don't want to get hurt.

The rest of the time they tolerate or ignore each other.

[A. G. Austin]

Its possibly just sibling rivalry - each trying to become the "top-cat" of the house. usually Neutered males will fight over territory, whereas Toms tend to fight over social rank and the females. Are they indoor cats or outdoor ones?

[andy-hughes]

You are most welcome - glad to help.

It can be distressing listening to them squabbling, but it rarely ends in serious injury - the vanquished cat in any fight has too much of a sense of self-preservation to hang about and take a serious mauling.

The looser will scram pretty fast!

[widow]

To A.G.Austin - they are outdoor cats.