How old is the older kitty? Was she "queen" of the house for most of the past two years?



Cats have a heirarchy when they share territory - usually settled and held by stare downs, growls, the occasional hiss or smack up the head to the lower ranking cat. They each know they have deadly claws so it's all about body language and only about pouncing, fighting, chasing when it's serious.



Often when an older cat becomes ill, a lower ranking cat will take advantage to rewrite who is "top cat" driving the older cat away from all the prime territory in your house. They want to steal the best sleeping spots, your lap, first dibs on the dinner dish - whatever matters.



When was the last vet check for the older kitty? Sounds like she is due if things have changed dramatically in your house. And ask the vet about what you can give the younger kitty to curb aggression. (several years ago with the same behavior going on in my house, I gave the younger cat Bach flower essences - Rescue Remedy. It worked for us.)



Try keeping one cat or the other in a separate room for a couple hours each day to give your older cat some peace.



Purrs,

Elizabeth

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