My Pet World: How to condition your dog to wear a winter sweater
Dear Laurie,
If longtime cat companions suddenly start fighting, there could be a health-related issue with one of the cats, most likely with the older one. I recommend getting them both checked out by a vet to rule out health problems.
Cats are very territorial and sometimes disputes happen with cats who have known each other for a while. Make sure there are litter boxes for each cat, plus one additional one, and feed them in separate locations. This will help them map out their territory. It’s not uncommon for one cat to live upstairs and another downstairs or for one to have a particular side of the house they prefer, etc.
Separating them helps when there’s been a spat, but don’t wait too long to implement a reintroduction phase after tempers settle down.
As for the collars, I don’t know of any breakaway pheromone collars, so use the feline pheromone spray, which you can spray on the cats, people in your home, and furniture. Or use the plug-in diffuser in the rooms where they spend the most time in. The pheromones might help take the edge off and make them more agreeable in general.
========
(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)
©2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(c) 2021 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
