We adopted 2 4-year-old litter mates in January- male and female. The female
started hissing at the male and he began seriously attacking her. We
separated them for 2 or 3 days. When we tried putting them together he
immediately looked for her and struck out. After tiring of the separation
routine, I then let them out and followed him chasing him away from her with
a squirt bottle. We have both been yelling at them and using the bottle to
get them apart.

The previous owner indicated that this happened from time to time usually
initiated by the female. It especially happened after either one or the
other had been to the vet. The male was very frightened by the vet and
scratched her several times. He also went after my ankles one day and the
same day bit the hand of a guest that was petting him. When my current vet
came to check on possible physical causes of the problem he attacked her
drawing blood. She indicated that possibly something was setting him off
like seeing another cat outside or smelling another cat on me after I had
been gardening. She also thought there could be a neurological problem.

They are partly back to normal (she sleeps under the blanket- he next to her
on top and both share our bed for part of the night) but she still
periodically hisses at him if he comes near her.

If this is a behavioral problem do you have any suggestions? Thank you very much!

Gwen

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