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Old November 24th, 2009, 03:07 PM
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Ziggy: Mean Gene, Zuzu: Battered Kitty Syndrome, Mum: heartbroken and exhausted

Let me preface this by saying that I LOVE both these cats more than I believed possible. They have very distinct personalities and both have endeared themselves to me personally.

The problem is that Ziggy is constantly attacking Zuzu and when I finally separate them Zuzu comes back for more I don't for one minute believe they are playing either. She is always on the bottom on her back being bitten This morning he ended up on the bottom on his back, she was on her back on his belly, he had his paws around her and was biting and biting her neck. After three stuffy tosses they separated and stood on either side of me waiting to go again.

One or the other always has to be put in another closed room. They cannot roam the house together. I had an inkling of hope from my dog groomer last week who saw Ziggy and claims there is no way he is three. He is still kittenish and that is how kittens play. I have had people tell me to hit them (no way), water gun (Ziggy waits for me to spray and then carries on even madder), rehome (out of the question)

I have Feliway diffusers, Bach flower essences, have tried playing with them together and only treating them when they are together. Go downstairs for a nano second and all Hell breaks lose again

I guess I have to resign myself to separate lives being the way it is going to be and be happy if things improve but this is not what I had hoped for. :sad: I do love the two little devils but HATE what they bring out in each other.

Thanks, just had to vent because I know there are others who have had or are having kitty interaction problems and it is heartbreaking to watch :sad:
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  #2  
Old November 24th, 2009, 03:35 PM
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14+kitties 14+kitties is offline
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to you for sticking it out Di. I know how difficult it is when cats don't get along. You wonder if things will ever settle. I am not even going to promise you they will because chances are they may not. Kitties got off to a bad start with being sick. It takes a long time to change that.
I think I gave you the website on introducing cats. You may have to retry the intros. This time don't worry about how long it's taking. Cats are perfectly fine in one room. It isn't going to kill them to have one of them separated. Probably the hardest thing for you to do is to decide which one will be separated from everyone else.
Here is the site again if you don't have it any more.
http://www.squidoo.com/multi-cat-management

Is it possible Ziggy was taken to the pound before for the exact same behaviour I wonder? It is also a possibility that he was not socialized the proper way when he was a baby. Probably taken from his mom and siblings too early.

Here's a couple of more sites that may help.

http://www.2ndchance.info/aggressivecat.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cats-1606...ighting-10.htm

Also a blurb from another site.........

Cats who live together will often fight. Usually one cat has to be the dominant cat. Sadly for cat owners, cats do not resign themselves to being the 'underling' or accept that they live with the other cat, so they may as well just get along together. No, they insist on fighting!
The best way to ensure that blood is not spilt is to ensure that each cat has space. Each cat also needs a separate litter tray and a separate one which can be used by either cat.
Try to establish some safe hiding places for each cat, so that they can easily avoid danger. If one cat repeatedly sits in a doorway, move it. This may look innocent but is actually a feline aggressive pose, designed to control who comes in and out of the door.
If one cat appears to be the underling, ensure it has some high resting places where it can feel safe. But try not to get too hung up about it. Sometimes cats just fight to get attention. But, if it becomes very serious then you may have to talk to your vet to see if he can recommend a cat behaviourist.


If all else fails have you thought of a low dosage medication to calm Ziggy if he is the one being the aggressor? Have you noticed if it is him that is starting things or is Zuzu giving off signals? Swatting, staring at Ziggy too much, etc? Ancient Girl and a couple of others have used meds to help calm their kitties. Maybe something like that will help.

to you. It will get better. Thank you for not giving up on them.
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Old November 24th, 2009, 04:45 PM
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Some questions: Who came frist Ziggy or Zuzu? How old are they? Did you have them from the time they were kittens?, and if so, how old were they when you got them? Has Ziggy always attacked Zuzu or is this something new. Do you have other cats, and if so is Ziggy attacking them too or is it only Zuzu. Notice you have other pets, so did this start after more pets added? Since it doesn't seem that a lack of attention is causing the attacks, since Ziggy does it when you go downstairs, it does seem that he hates her for some reason or other. Unless you can figure how why he wants to attack Zuzu, best solution is to keep them separate. Switch them around half the day to another room or alternate every other day. You need to keep them separated for your peace of mind and composure. There's nothing more upsetting than a real cat fight going on day after day.
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Old November 24th, 2009, 04:53 PM
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catlover2 - this is the original thread that will help explain.

http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=66205

I think the problems started after this...........

http://www.pets.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=66291
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Old November 24th, 2009, 05:32 PM
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I bet they are playing. I guarantee you Zuzu would not go back for more if she was being attacked. You would see scratches (with blood) on the nose and throughout the head area. Sweet Pea attacks Puddles and leave scratches the rare time she has access to her. I keep them separated pretty much all the time unless I can watch Puddles very closely.

Jasper and Sweet Pea play very rough all the time. There is hisses and growls from Sweet Pea if she ends up on the bottom, but as soon as Jasper turns his back, she's on him.. Growling and hissing is not always present when cats are playing, Sweet Pea is my first. Jasper is always the instigator because he is the one that wants to play.

Fighting cats will leave a lot of fur behind and they will be fluffed. There will be growling going on after they are separated. It would be very difficult for you to get in between them and would probably get injured from their claws.

My recommendation: Let them be. If there is one that is really suffering, then break them up with a hand clap, then some time out.
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Old November 24th, 2009, 05:43 PM
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I guarantee you Zuzu would not go back for more if she was being attacked.

You are absolutely right L4H. Zuzu would be cowering somewhere hiding from Ziggy and would be running every time she saw him. Not going back for more.
I never thought of that. Brain blip big time today.

Di - I have a couple of girls and a boy who just do not like being around other cats. MiniMo is great with people (to a point) but hates every cat who crosses her path. She is constantly on guard and chasing/fighting with my other kitties. Mostly the other females. Benni is in one of the smaller enclosures with her son because every time another cat approaches she attacks full on. Claws out, teeth showing and snarling. She even does this through the fence when a cat gets too close to her "house". KMK is just a loner. He does not like anyone coming too close to his house either. I think the only reason he sometimes lets me pet him is because I bring him food and drink.

Some signals to watch for - snarling, claws fully extended, very loud yowling, hissing. The biting is probably a leftover from being neutered later in his life. Even if he was only a year when he was neutered he is more apt to do the neck biting. It's part of the mating ritual.

So now that we've given you all this additional info are you totally confused?
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  #7  
Old November 24th, 2009, 10:01 PM
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Frenchy Frenchy is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Love4himies View Post
I bet they are playing. I guarantee you Zuzu would not go back for more if she was being attacked. You would see scratches (with blood) on the nose and throughout the head area.
I was thinking the same. Is Zuzu screaming while she gets "attacked" ? If not , maybe she doesn't mind ?

Coco never played with the boys , she would freak out when they tried. She still doesn't play with them but , now she can stand them. Cats can take a long time to get settle. Try to not worry so much new kitty mom
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