URBANANIMAL: A move may bring out your cat's inner lion

Dear UrbanAnimal,

My two cats, Amy and Butch, have been with me since they were kittens. They are five. They've always played well together and have never been aggressive toward each other or me, but all that changed when we moved into a new house a month ago. I moved their beds, scratching posts, toys and litter boxes from the old house to help them feel at ease. For the first few days they seemed happy and nosed around together in their new domain until one day, without provocation, Butch turned on Amy and began hissing and swatting her. Then he attacked her and bit my hand when I pulled him away. What should I do now?

Gerry

Hi Gerry,

It must have been very disconcerting to watch your normally well-adjusted cats behave so strangely.

Cats in the wild are generally solitary creatures, but our domestic cats have had to learn to live together in relative harmony. Cats that have grown up together, such as Amy and Butch, may develop what appears to be a 100 per cent loving relationship (loving is a human term, but it's the only way to describe it here), but they still maintain a few ancient brain cells that tell them to guard their turf as if they're still slinking across the Serengeti.

Moving is said to be one of the most stressful events for humans so you can imagine how stressful it must be for pets who are devoted to a home they knew so well.

Cats, in particular, consider it a crushing blow when they're moved from familiar places and plopped down in new territory that, in a cat's mind, contains all manner of potential danger. Lions, tigers, bears...who knows what lurks around the corner in uncharted regions?

Many cats will show their insecurity by hiding in a closet or under the bed, refuse to eat, or stop using their litter box. Others will tentatively, but happily embrace the adventure and settle in with little trouble.

Some, like Amy and Butch, will initially appear curious, sniffing around and giving the appearance that all is well then turn on a dime when one or both cats suddenly realize their territory is compromised and feelings of insecurity turn into aggression and directed at other members of the household.

Just like people who have a bad day at work and turn their frustration on others close to them, animals can do the same thing.

When cats live as a group, even if they grew up together like Butch and Amy, they set up a hierarchy that includes a leader and followers and, as long as all parties are happy with their assigned positions and nothing changes in their lives, they live contentedly ever after.

In your old home, you may have noticed their hierarchy displayed through simple motions such as, which cat begins to eat first (Butch), or which cat takes the prime position on the couch (Butch).

A human leader might see a household move as a necessary, but stressful nuts and bolts type of life change. Boxes are unpacked, treasures are lost and found in the carnage, and life goes on. But a dedicated feline leader like Butch views it as one big and unexpected disaster that involves identifying and reclaiming his territory, which is of utmost importance to his feelings of security and part and parcel with his relationship with you and Amy.

He doesn't understand why his world has changed and, since he can't express his fears and uncertainties to you and you can't explain the situation to him, he lashes out in frustration.

Rest assured that although Amy may be in the line of fire at these times, she and Butch are the same species and, while you think their relationship has faltered, they have an understanding of each other that humans can't possibly comprehend.

It's my guess that Amy, as the submissive cat, is willing to quietly settle into the new house on her own terms and in her own time, and she recognizes Butch's behaviour as a little unsettling, but temporary until Butch regains his composure.

I'm just speculating, of course, but having had several cats of varying personalities and temperaments, and I've upset their routines through moving such as you've done, I think I can safely suggest that Butch's reaction is indeed temporary.

Whatever you do, don't make any more changes to the house until Butch has settled down. Try to avoid moving furniture, litter boxes, scratching posts or anything else that might upset him, and keep the cats' routines as consistent as possible for the next few months.

Take Butch's mind off his problems by giving both cats lots of attention combined with interactive and gentle play sessions, and tasty cat treats.

You're already aware Butch can lash out quickly so watch for changes in his body posture (stiffened gait, tail swishing, pupils dilated) and make haste to get out of his way. If necessary, and when safe to do so, move him into another room for a time-out.

You might want to talk with your veterinarian about natural calming devices such as pheromones or, if the situation worsens, he or she may prescribe medication to help Butch through this difficult period.

It's also possible Butch's change in temperament may be due to a physical problem. He might have injured himself or become ill in the process of moving or coinciding with the timing of the move. Your veterinarian may suggest you bring Butch for a check-up to rule out the possibility of physical issues.

Good luck, Gerry, and please keep in touch.