I agree that a vet visit might be in order just to rule out any potential physical health issues. Any dramatic change in behavior warrants that, since cats can't tell us if they're feeling poorly.
That said, this sounds mostly like a combination of issues from outside factors and a likely power shift. (There's been a near-total change in the power dynamic since we moved, to the point that Kaga will almost completely avoid Squish because he doesn't want to get a faceful of thwapping. One of the results of this is that Kaga not-infrequently wanders the hall howling forlornly.) All of the things you listed could have had an effect on both cats' emotional states and how they interact with each other, and I'll add one: Smeagol might smell different now that he's off the steroids. Your description of Hubero's behavior comes across to me as insecurity and uncertainty, and IME the best approach to that sort of thing is to make sure the cat is getting plenty of reassurance and a "safe" space where he feels secure. He might need some extra-special attention to help ease his anxiety, and it might be worth occasionally separating and isolating them from each other so that they each get a portion of the house to call their own and establish some dominance over (but don't isolate them from the humans when you do this). This is something you could talk with the vet about as well; my vets have always given good suggestions on easing weird kitty emotional states.
Actually, I want to add to this: any separation/isolation strategies should be combined with circumstances where you give them both attention at the same time. This is to make sure they know that they're still good with the humans even when they're in proximity.
They both have "their" spaces. And Hubero gets so much love and attention... He'll climb up on the bed between us when we read, or if we're watching a movie, and will often fall asleep between us at bed time. Smeagol is twitchy about attention, and will rarely climb up on my lap, and then only for a few minutes. He basically only wants attention if he wants wet food.
I thought of the change in smell. I weaned him gradually, but his smell might have changed. The timing is about right, I think.
Mostly, I think Smeagol's just not taking any more of Hubero's bullying crap. I know I got tired of it fast, which is part of the reason we got Smeagol, in the first place - to provide a companion.
Also, Hubero seems to have begun not covering his poop. This is something Smeagol has NEVER done. Either something is physically wrong with him, or he's marking his territory. Or Smeagol has had substantial visits to the box 3 times in 36 hours, which is highly unlikely.
A lot of attention might not necessarily be the right *kind* of attention for what Hubero wants, which is another of those frustrating things about them not being able to tell us what they need. Kaga has moments (...like this morning, gah...) where all he wants is a particular kind of cuddling from K and nothing I can do will suffice, or where he wants me to do something specific with him and won't settle down until he gets that specific thing. Sometimes experimenting with different ways of giving the attention will help identify what a cat is really after.
But yeah, everything else sounds a lot like power shifts and insecurity. It might well be that the only option is to let them figure it out for themselves; as long as they're not actively injuring each other, that might be for the best in the long run.
The only injury I've noticed is a very tiny nick on Smeagol's right ear. It compliments his other one nicely... The perils of having huge ears, I suppose. They aren't wrestling at all. The only physical interaction is Hubero obviously trying to start play, and getting little to no reaction from Smeagol.
Hubero is very forceful when he wants something, so usually we know what he wants pretty fast. He's not doing any of the ear sucking behavior, so he isn't as insecure has he's been in the past... I might need to play with him more. Engage him in some good games of "hide and chase". Though that can be tricky, as it often ends up with him attacking my ankles.
I was going to suggest it's a way of getting attention as well. Any attention, even negative attention is better than not enough and it seems like he knows he shouldn't be doing what he is doing, since he cowers when you scold him.
Yeah, the cowering is extremely uncharacteristic. I'm leaning towards Smeagol asserting himself by simply not responding to the "attacks". The thing that's making me cranky is that Smeagol will do that little sashay past Hubero, pause and look back thing, which has traditionally been an invite to a game of chase. If Smeagol were bothered by this, he'd hop in the tub, where Hubero does not go. There was a night recently where the annoying behavior was going on, and was halted by us eating dinner. Smeagol trotted off to the tub and Hubero became transfixed by the idea of human food. The whole time we were eating, Smeagol would periodically out with the "where arrrre youuuu" call from the tub... The table is in the line of sight from the tub, and occasionally I'd look over and see ears and eyes peering out to see what Hubero was doing.
The game is getting old.
I'm going to try engaging Hubero in play a bit more. He dropped me like a hot potato when we got Smeagol, and has rarely shown interest in playing with me over the last 2 1/2 years. Maybe if Smeagol sees Hubero playing with me, he'll get jealous and ease up on the shun games.
That said, this sounds mostly like a combination of issues from outside factors and a likely power shift. (There's been a near-total change in the power dynamic since we moved, to the point that Kaga will almost completely avoid Squish because he doesn't want to get a faceful of thwapping. One of the results of this is that Kaga not-infrequently wanders the hall howling forlornly.) All of the things you listed could have had an effect on both cats' emotional states and how they interact with each other, and I'll add one: Smeagol might smell different now that he's off the steroids. Your description of Hubero's behavior comes across to me as insecurity and uncertainty, and IME the best approach to that sort of thing is to make sure the cat is getting plenty of reassurance and a "safe" space where he feels secure. He might need some extra-special attention to help ease his anxiety, and it might be worth occasionally separating and isolating them from each other so that they each get a portion of the house to call their own and establish some dominance over (but don't isolate them from the humans when you do this). This is something you could talk with the vet about as well; my vets have always given good suggestions on easing weird kitty emotional states.
Actually, I want to add to this: any separation/isolation strategies should be combined with circumstances where you give them both attention at the same time. This is to make sure they know that they're still good with the humans even when they're in proximity.
Reply
They both have "their" spaces. And Hubero gets so much love and attention... He'll climb up on the bed between us when we read, or if we're watching a movie, and will often fall asleep between us at bed time. Smeagol is twitchy about attention, and will rarely climb up on my lap, and then only for a few minutes. He basically only wants attention if he wants wet food.
I thought of the change in smell. I weaned him gradually, but his smell might have changed. The timing is about right, I think.
Mostly, I think Smeagol's just not taking any more of Hubero's bullying crap. I know I got tired of it fast, which is part of the reason we got Smeagol, in the first place - to provide a companion.
Also, Hubero seems to have begun not covering his poop. This is something Smeagol has NEVER done. Either something is physically wrong with him, or he's marking his territory. Or Smeagol has had substantial visits to the box 3 times in 36 hours, which is highly unlikely.
Reply
But yeah, everything else sounds a lot like power shifts and insecurity. It might well be that the only option is to let them figure it out for themselves; as long as they're not actively injuring each other, that might be for the best in the long run.
Reply
The only injury I've noticed is a very tiny nick on Smeagol's right ear. It compliments his other one nicely... The perils of having huge ears, I suppose.
They aren't wrestling at all. The only physical interaction is Hubero obviously trying to start play, and getting little to no reaction from Smeagol.
Hubero is very forceful when he wants something, so usually we know what he wants pretty fast. He's not doing any of the ear sucking behavior, so he isn't as insecure has he's been in the past... I might need to play with him more. Engage him in some good games of "hide and chase". Though that can be tricky, as it often ends up with him attacking my ankles.
Reply
Reply
Yeah, the cowering is extremely uncharacteristic. I'm leaning towards Smeagol asserting himself by simply not responding to the "attacks". The thing that's making me cranky is that Smeagol will do that little sashay past Hubero, pause and look back thing, which has traditionally been an invite to a game of chase. If Smeagol were bothered by this, he'd hop in the tub, where Hubero does not go. There was a night recently where the annoying behavior was going on, and was halted by us eating dinner. Smeagol trotted off to the tub and Hubero became transfixed by the idea of human food. The whole time we were eating, Smeagol would periodically out with the "where arrrre youuuu" call from the tub... The table is in the line of sight from the tub, and occasionally I'd look over and see ears and eyes peering out to see what Hubero was doing.
The game is getting old.
I'm going to try engaging Hubero in play a bit more. He dropped me like a hot potato when we got Smeagol, and has rarely shown interest in playing with me over the last 2 1/2 years. Maybe if Smeagol sees Hubero playing with me, he'll get jealous and ease up on the shun games.
Reply
Leave a comment