Cats not getting on

[Fire Fox]

A queen gets on with her young kittens because she is biologically programmed to nurture them, including teaching them how to hunt (play) and kitty manners. Bindi will then have either gone back into season or been spayed, both of which will completely change her hormone profile and thus her behaviour towards her offspring. If Bindi was taken away from her mother too early she may not have been properly socialised with humans or other cats. This is not meant to be rude but from your other thread it sounds like you have left your cats to their own devices rather than interacting with them regularly.

Similarly Tigger will have started out biologically programmed to have a connection with his mother which, depending on how quickly he was neutered, may have become sexual. It is known that domestic cats retain many kitten habits into adulthood - playing with and demanding food from their human carers. This is no different to human family relationships, we don't continue to have the same relationship with our babies as they mature and usually they often 'fly the nest' after growth and puberty are completed.

[Rhys]

Thanks for all the replies. I will have to look into all the things that have been suggested. Tigger was neutered around 6 weeks ago yes. And yes they do both go out. Bindi is a bit of a "grumpy" cat as she doesen't like cuddles, doesen't like attention and doesen't like anything really. In the morning she will come to you and rub against your leg and once she has been fed she doesen't want to know you. Maybe this is just the way she is. Although we actually got Bindi with her brother Scooby from a few weeks old. They used to always get on, run around the garden playing and sleep together. Maybe because she is a bit older now she just likes to be on her own.

[Steff - Petsearch Bedford HQ]

Thanks Desley, I'll have a look for it. Got it from pets at home just for ease because I needed it ASAP.

[Desley (booktigger)]

Unfortunately this is quite common with mothers and sons. I would try something like FEliway/Rescue Remedy, do they go out?
Steph, I am sure I got SErene-um cheaper online.

[Cooper & Peanut]

I rehomed 2 cats a month ago. Assumed that cuz they came together, they would get on like a house on fire! They fight on a daily basis, Peanut sounds like she's being murdered most of the time, growling, hissing, yowling etc...

I recently found a cut above Cooper's eye where Peanut obviously got her own back 

I was worried sick to begin with, but I let them get on with it because neither of them are showing signs of stress or submissive behaviour.. I have now started to witness moments of niceness towards each other...Peanut will wash Coopers face.

They never sleep together, I will usually find them at opposite end of the room!

I really hope the situation calms down for your pair....its not nice to watch, especially when its mother and son.

Good luck with the Feliway (should you try it..)

 

[Guest]

Rhys, My two are the same. They have a love / hate relationship. Can't bear one another but always have to know what the other is doing! I personally didn't see any different from Feliway but always worth a try!

It is sad when it happens!

[Steff - Petsearch Bedford HQ]

Hi rhys

I'm guessing tigger was only recently neutered. It may have been that he was reaching sexual maturity and his hormones were making him act a bit inappropriately towards his mum. It can take as long as 6 weeks (or even longer) for the hormone levels to settle back down. This may help.

You also have to remember thay cats aren't pack animals like dogs so don't require the company of other cats and some even prefer to be on their own. Just because they are mother and son also doesn't guarantee that they will get on. Often you just have to accept that they will tolerate eachother and that be the happy balance. I (and many otherson here) would reccommend a Feliway plug in. It emits synthetic "happy cat" pheromones and can help in your situation and also with behavioural issues. It can take a few weeks to be effective so I would suggest getting one of those plugged in asap, vets and pets at home sell them but they are cheaper online (zooplus, vetsUK etc). There are also supplements that can help calm your cats. I have 3 cats and am currently having issues with them all getting along so I am using a feliway plug in as well as SereneUm (£5 from pets at home) and Kalm Aid Cat gel (£12 from my vets but I need to find it online). Both of which have definitely helped on the couple of weeks I have been using them. My house is certianly calmer. Rescue remedy is another supplement that can help.

Lots of us on here have had issues with our cats getting along and there will no doubt be some more advice winging its way to you but hopefully this is good for starters.

[Rhys]

Hi there. We have 2 cats in the house and they are actually mother and son The mother cat is called Bindi and her kitten is Tigger (although he's about 6 months old now). However, they do not get on. Bindi (mother) always hisses and growls at Tigger (kitten) whenever he goes near her. Even if it's to walk past her through a door. Tigger is young and likes to play and does encourage Bindi to attack him as he pounces on her sometimes. They just do not get on and never play together and will attack eachother whenever they're close together. I say attack but it's not a spiteful attack it's more hitting eachother with paws, growling, hissing, nothing serious.

Is there a way I can make these get on and be friends? They have both been neutered and we thought this might sort the problem out. Thanks.