After Bathing cat, other cat is attacking bathed cat

by Pam
(Chicago, IL )

I bathed my 5 yr old neutered male cat. While i was bathing him, my pregnant female cat jumped up on the counter where I was bathing him at and started hissing and growling at him. Now, the pregant female is viciously attacking the male for no reason. The two were like best friends always, never a fight ever. Now the male hides under the bed to keep away from the female. It's been 2 days since the bath and no peace in sight.



Answer by Kate
Hi
This is a common issue. It is all to do with fear. her behavior is known as trauma aggression.

basically she was frightened by the water or seeing the other cat being bathed (something cats don't like very much https://www.our-happy-cat.com/bathing-a-cat.html ) and she has turned this fear onto the other cat, sort of transference.

Your best option is to separate the cats for a day or so then to slowly reintroduce them using the safe method described on this page

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/introducing-cats.html

Don't worry things will get better as she calms down.

best wishes Kate

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