Cats suddenly fighting

Terr
Terr Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

I have two cats at home, a male and a female, both neutered. They’ve always lived together and only yesterday were cuddling on the armchair. Last night, I heard them coming back from their outdoor enclosure like they’d gone absolutely berserk; the female was screaming and the male was chasing her while growling. They burst into the living room fighting nastily (not playing at all), and the female was so terrified that she wet herself. They ran upstairs, trashed everything in one of the bedrooms, and I finally managed to separate them... I’ve got the male shut in the bedroom.

I kept them apart all night because the female was really shaken up. This morning, I tried to let the male out as he seemed calmer, but the second he saw the female (who wasn't being aggressive at all), he started growling again and his hackles went up. I gave a good shout when they started again (I shouldn't have, but I really thought he was going to kill her...) and he's back locked in the bedroom.

I'm a bit lost. What's gotten into him? What should I do? My vet doesn't do consultations at the weekend except for emergencies. Do you have any advice?

Thanks in advance

Translated from French
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2 answers
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    Chatzen Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello,

    Given the violence and especially the sudden change, considering they’ve lived together perfectly fine until now, I would keep them separated for the time being. You did the right thing by not putting them back together.

    Sometimes a cat can get very over-stimulated or spooked by something and take that reaction out on the other cat. However, pain or an underlying health issue can also cause a very sudden shift in behaviour, so I think a check-up at the vet is definitely advisable, for both of them if possible.

    In the meantime, keep each of them in their own space with their own resources (water, food, litter tray, bedding), and whatever you do, don't force a confrontation. Even if things seem to have calmed down, I wouldn't try to reintroduce them just yet.

    Also, make sure to check both the male and the female for any small bites or wounds: with cats, a bite that looks minor can sometimes lead to problems.

    I hope they both settle down again soon. 🐾

    Chatzen 🐾

    Translated from French
    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello, A sudden fallout between two cats who used to get along well is something that needs to be taken seriously. It could be a case of redirected aggression: your male cat might have been wound up or spooked by something in the run (like another cat, a noise, or an animal) and then took that frustration out on your female. Pain or an underlying medical issue can also cause sudden behavioural changes, so a trip to the vet is recommended in this situation just to make sure everything is okay. In the meantime, keep them completely separated. Don’t try to put them back together while your male is still reacting this way, and avoid scolding him, as this might just increase his stress levels. A gradual reintroduction will be necessary once both cats are calm again. Do also check them both for any bite marks or wounds; cat bites can look small but they can get infected very quickly... Best of luck, Inès
    Translated from French

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