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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