OK, I'm trying to figure out if I have a problem or not.
I have two unrelated neutered male cats, each about a year old, that i
adopted from the local shelter about two months ago. both domestic
shorthairs, nothing exotic. they seem to get along fine, and haven't had
any major problems adjusting to their life here.
but at times they have cat wrestling/chasing matches which can get
pretty wild. yowling and even spitting, to the point where i have to
break it up b/c i'm getting worried. when i do that, it's no problem, it
doesn't seem like it's a full on cat fight (i would never break up a
wild catfight, for my own safety! but these, I can just holler and reach
in and seperate them. they look at me like "why are you spoiling the
fun?"). Five minutes later, they will be asleep together on the cat bed,
or grooming each other, or otherwise happily interacting w/ each other.
The problem? Healy has scabs up and down his body from this. Nelson cuts
him up pretty good. I have tried keeping Nelson (and Healy) trimmed
pretty close on the claws (no they aren't declawed), but it doesn't
help, and I see Nelson biting, too (but neither of them have *ever* been
aggresive towards me or any other human). Healy doesn't appear cowed in
any way by Nelson, it seems to be 50/50 as to who is chasing who. And
like I said, they sit happily together most of the time.
But I just got worried when I pet Healy and feel all these scabs. Do I
have a problem here?
They are together -- and I'm sure wrestling like mad -- for much of the
day while I am at work. I would hate to seperate them while I'm gone,
that's the reason I got two, so that they could keep each other company
while I'm gone.
any thoughts? suggestions?

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chris
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Cheryl - 04 May 2004 03:27 GMT
> OK, I'm trying to figure out if I have a problem or not.
>
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>
> any thoughts? suggestions?
Sounds like they are acting like cats, but I await other replies to this
because I have a similar situation with a male (3) and a female (1).
BTW, they probably sleep a lot when you're at work. :) It sounds like
they are fine to me, though. Good question about the scabbing and blood.

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Cheryl
Victor Martinez - 04 May 2004 03:32 GMT
> But I just got worried when I pet Healy and feel all these scabs. Do I
> have a problem here?
I don't think so, they just seem to be figuring out who's top cat.
However, cat societies are much more flexible than dogs societies, so
top cat status is not fixed. Intervene only if it's getting out of hand,
otherwise you're just getting in the way.
Our cats have fights every so often to re-establish dominance, but they
all love each other. If they sleep together, that means they like each
other and it's ok for them to be alone.
I wouldn't worry. Cat introductions sometimes take over a year! You've
only had them for a couple of months, they're still getting used to each
other.
Good luck!

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Chris Mihos - 04 May 2004 14:49 GMT
>> But I just got worried when I pet Healy and feel all these scabs. Do I
>> have a problem here?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> top cat status is not fixed. Intervene only if it's getting out of hand,
> otherwise you're just getting in the way.
that's sort of what i've been trying, but i worry that much of this
happens when i'm away from the house and not around to break up the
rough stuff.
> Our cats have fights every so often to re-establish dominance, but they
> all love each other. If they sleep together, that means they like each
> other and it's ok for them to be alone.
they do sleep together and get along, but the rough play happens more
than "every so often" -- it's every day, and a few times a day at that.
> I wouldn't worry. Cat introductions sometimes take over a year! You've
> only had them for a couple of months, they're still getting used to each
> other.
>
> Good luck!
thanks
Victor Martinez - 04 May 2004 14:04 GMT
> they do sleep together and get along, but the rough play happens more
> than "every so often" -- it's every day, and a few times a day at that.
Get a Feliway diffuser (http://www.petguys.com/ has the best prices I've
found), it might help.

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Wendy - 05 May 2004 12:40 GMT
> > they do sleep together and get along, but the rough play happens more
> > than "every so often" -- it's every day, and a few times a day at that.
>
> Get a Feliway diffuser (http://www.petguys.com/ has the best prices I've
> found), it might help.
I agree. Give the Feliway a try. I can notice a difference around her when
the diffuser is empty.
They will probably still wrestle (which is normal) but it might not be as
"enthusiastic".
W
Chris Mihos - 05 May 2004 15:26 GMT
>>>they do sleep together and get along, but the rough play happens more
>>>than "every so often" -- it's every day, and a few times a day at that.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> W
OK, will try that. thanks to both of you....
Chris Mihos - 05 May 2004 17:19 GMT
>>>they do sleep together and get along, but the rough play happens more
>>>than "every so often" -- it's every day, and a few times a day at that.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> W
Question, though. What is the "range" of these diffusers? Do I need one
for every room? Or just one upstairs and one down? Or just one for the
house?
thanks
chris
Victor Martinez - 06 May 2004 03:21 GMT
> Question, though. What is the "range" of these diffusers? Do I need one
> for every room? Or just one upstairs and one down? Or just one for the
> house?
I'd get one for each floor to start with, unless your house is really big.

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Sunflower - 04 May 2004 05:43 GMT
> But I just got worried when I pet Healy and feel all these scabs. Do I
> have a problem here?
It's kinda rare that just play wrestling would cause the amount of scabs
you're describing. One or two here and there, yes. but lots, no. I'd take
your cat to the vet to be sure that he didn't have some sort of allergic
dermatitis (possibly to fleas) that was contributing to his skin condition.
I had a female who always scabbed up quickly if I wasn't in time with the
Frontline to keep away even a single flea.
Chris Mihos - 04 May 2004 14:53 GMT
>>But I just got worried when I pet Healy and feel all these scabs. Do I
>>have a problem here?
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> I had a female who always scabbed up quickly if I wasn't in time with the
> Frontline to keep away even a single flea.
thanks, but no it's not fleas. i know what flea scabs are like (lived w/
cats as a kid), plus the cats are indoor only cats, and i would know if
there were fleas in the house. Plus the scabs are all head, neck, upper
back -- ie where the cats grab at each other -- and nowhere along the
legs. never knew a flea that didn't like cat legs!