Catsitting: My cats fight, overeat, and lick fur. How to help?

Question

I just started catsitting 2 cats. One licks off all her fur and the boy cat will eat until there is no more food. They are in a small apartment and don't seem to like each other. If I close the girl cat who licks all her stomach fur off in a separate room she will eat very timidly. They are both not very affectionate, and avoid each other all the time. I have noticed aggressive behavior from her to him. What would you suggest? As we are catsitting and they aren't our cats we can't take them out.

Lauren Jones VMD · Accepted Answer

This sounds like a tricky situation! Since the female cat is willing to eat while separated from the male, consider keeping them in separate rooms either at all times or just for feedings. Some cats find a way to coexist despite their differences, and others are actually more attached to one another than we realize. Since their owners are away and you are less familiar, this additional stressor to their environment may provoke temporary behavioral changes. It may be worth considering the use of calming pheromone collars or diffusers (Feliway is one example) while their owners are away. I hope this helps and that all goes well!

Catsitting: My cats fight, overeat, and lick fur. How to help?

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