Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

Why are my senior brother cats suddenly fighting? How to stop aggression?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

My two cats have been fighting recently and we are stressed out. They are brothers and are about ten years old. They have always gotten along so this is a rare occurrence. The oldest is blind in one eye and has always been the alpha. We really need some advice through this difficult time. What should we do in order to have a peacefully household again?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

Published on July 6th, 2018

A sudden behavioral change could indicate an issue such as pain or underlying illness, so if this happened suddenly or recently, having both cats examined for any signs of ongoing pain or illness is a good first step. if they check out healthy (aside for any known previous conditions), then adding in something such as a pheromone diffuser can help with stress between cats and aggressive behavior. Making sure both cats have access to their own food, water, litter, bedding, etc can also help decrease tension and stress over these items. If one of your cats is going blind or hard of hearing, adding in nightlights and making sure your cat can get around easily may help reduce stress related to these conditions and reduce tension between both cats.

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Sponsored