cats hissing at each other

by Jeanette
(West Kelowna, BC)

Our mother and son cats have been very close for 10 years, ate together, slept together, spent the days together. Two months ago the son disappeared to a house about 1/2 mile from ours, we brought him back. They hiss at each other constantly.

The son ran away again, now back home and they are still hissing.
Can you give me some idea of what's happening.
Thank you. Jeanette

Answer by KAte
Hi
well who can say what goes on between cats perhaps they have disagreements just like us humans and perhaps that is why your male cat decided to move on. It really is so difficult to say why a cat does something.

As for why they are hissing at each other now, well cats are different to us in that they dont have the same emotional ties as we do. So even though they previously got on, things have changed and now they are just two cats defending their territory.

Often hissing etc is associated with fear rather than aggression and so the two cats may need a period of time to get to know each other again but in a safe environment where there is no fear of actual conflict.

Usually a period of introduction is required again using the confinement method described here on this page

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

Give them some time nd space adn they should calm down again with each other.

best wishes Kate

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