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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

2440.0. "HIMALAYANS FIGHTING - NEED HELP..." by SHRFAC::LIBBEY () Mon May 08 1989 16:57

Please have patience with me as I am new to using the notes file.  I
    have read so many notes and still am at desperation level with a
    problem of two of my sweeties fighting.  I have 3 himalayans, mother
    and 2 half brothers. The youngest "Babe" is about 5 years old and
    "Buddy" is 6 years old.  Around Christmas time Buddy got a plastic
    bag stuck around his chest and must have scared "Babe" - ever since
    then Babe has been chasing him around and they fight.  I have tried
    everything I could think of... nothing seems to work.  Buddy is
    very timid.  I had taken Babe out of the house for a few weeks and
    brought him back last night - it was a disaster - I now have Buddy
    living in my bathroom.  I have no way to seperate these two, love
    them both dearly and hate to get rid of one of them but I am at
    a loss.  I am certain they will hurt each other in some way.
    Previously they were best friends - never spit or growled at anything.
    The mother is oblivious to this - siding with neither of them. 
    I have seen a lot of notes that are about fighting with a newcomer
    arrives - nothing like this.  I am assuming that it was the plastic
    bag incident that brought this on - but I wasn't home at the time.
    
    Does anyone have any suggestions?  Both are neutered males and have
    always lived together.  If I do have to find a home for one of them
    it really would have to be someone affectionate to cats - these
    are typical himies and love attention.
    
    I appreciate any help anyone could give me - giving one of them
    up is my last resort and I dread it but don't want to see them hurt
    each other.
    
    Regards,
    
    Sandy
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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2440.1CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Mon May 08 1989 17:328
    I would think the newcomer note suggestions would be useful.  I
    suspect you're right, that the bag business set this off.  I think
    taking Babe away was probably a mistake, as what you want to do is
    get them used to each other in thier home surroundings.  At this
    point I would suggest asking the vet about a short term tranquilizer
    for Babe, and simultaneously using the new-cat rules.  Hang in there,
    we all know how traumatic this can be, but I'm sure it will work out.
    
2440.2More suggestionsYOSMTE::CORDESBRO_JOMon May 08 1989 18:1417
    I breed cats and ocassionally we will have a "tiff" between two
    of the queens.  I usually spray them with a squirt bottle of water.
    I spray both of them so that they both get the message that fighting
    is not socially acceptable behavior in our house.  Maybe you could
    try that.
    
    I would also suggest making sure that you keep their nails clipped
    short to prevent them from really hurting each other.
    
    I second the tranquilizer idea, that might be a good one to try.
    Your vet may be able to offer other ideas.
    
    Try not to make the situation worse by taking sides.  I made that
    mistake once and will never forget the outcome.  I always punish
    both parties, not just the instigator.
    
    Jo
2440.3Thanks - I'll try the bottleSHRFAC::LIBBEYTue May 09 1989 10:1818
    Thank you for the responses.  I haven't tried the squirt bottle
    yet and taking Babe out of the house was a last resort, it did however
    give Buddy a chance to come out of hiding and get used to the house
    again.  When I brought Babe back I left him in the cage on the living
    room floor and Buddy went over and smelled of it - everything was
    fine and then Babe spit at him and Buddy slithered into the bathroom
    to hide.  Now if I open the door - he runs for hiding until I coax
    him out.  About the tranquilizers - shouldn't both of them have
    it?  Buddy is paranoid right now and Babe is not bothering any of
    the other cats in the house - just this one.  I'll get a new squirt
    gun and keep it handy - last time they fought it was 1:00 in the
    morning and they both flew over me in bed and down the hall.  Good
    thing the neighbors couldn't see me in my pajamas chasing them waving
    a slipper to try and seperate them!  Thanks for your help - I'm
    at the point of almost trying anything.  Nail clipping is definitely
    in order also.  By-the-way, Buddy has started growling back at Babe
    now and spitting at anything when he gets scared.  Thanks again!
    
2440.4CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, & Holly; in Calif.Tue May 09 1989 15:495
    Good for Buddy.  The worm will turn eventually and they'll sort
    this out.  It always seems worse when they fight at ungodly hours of the
    morning.  I remember when Sweetie and Holly were adjusting, I'd be
    woken out of a sound sleep into a cataclysm.