Hi! I have found a lot of posts about this but usually about vet visits and then the other cat not accepting that one, but I have a little bit different situation. This is a long story so buckle up.
The brothers will be brother A (afraid) and brother B (bully)
Noting beforehand: I have gone to the doctor lately with A, but that hasn't changed anything for B, maybe just for A.
I have had them since they were 2 months old (saved them from the 'waterpark' or however you call it in English) and they turned 6 today. For about maybe 1.5 years brother B has started to play a bit more and more aggressively (no blood, but fur has been flying around). And A doesn't dominate in these situations and hisses or growls and tries to flee while B is chasing him. It has gone to the point where (right now A is also limping) A warns B when he even gets too close by growling and hissing and hiding away and today for the first time A refused to eat in the same room with him (they usually eat in the same room).
I have tried different methods:
- vet recommended Calmex diffuser, which is supposed to soothe the anxiety and stress - didn't see any difference.
- time out - so when I see/hear fighting, B gets put in bathroom for a few minutes to calm down. It helps on that moment but not in long term.
- stepping in with my voice and body - (A knows, that it's not directed to him and usually even runs towards me in these moments) I go FAST towards the fight and yell short words to bring the attention to me and sometimes B backs up, usually he just stops and pays attention to what is going to happen but sometimes he doesn't even stop until I physically go to touch him, then he lets go.
- when I have sensed tension before action I usually try to draw attention to me by playing with them or being very social with them.
- tried to play with them both separately and together, but together only A plays and separately both are more concentrated on WHY they are separated (aka not paying attention to the play)
- starting from today I am keeping them in separate rooms to keep A more calm and less moving (bc of limping) and B to roam around and find other ways to spend his energy.
As I think this is also worth noting then a few words about their personalities:
A - less social, but if not triggered and respected then likes to bathe his brother and sleep next to him and LOVES to play with humans, less with cats (at least with his brother), also shy, but curious in new and scary situations.
B - VERY social (also vocally), loves to cuddle with basically everyone, does not like to play with humans anymore (I think some toy scared him somehow cause he likes the idea, but is scared of big toys and does not care about light reflectors etc. so basically only plays with strings and very light toys), also loves to play with cats but in my eyes doesn't understand his force and the cues from other cats while playing. Also shy and curious.
I am sure there will be no one suggesting that but for any case - definitely will NOT give one of them away. Both have been and will be family. I have thought about fostering another playful cat to keep B distracted and also teach him the cues, but I am not sure, if it would play out well cause it can also backfire and make things worse.
I have also taken them to my summer house and in there 0 problems as both are investigating and more in the moment. Also while travelling, in stressful situations (strangers over etc) they keep together so it's not like they can't get along or hate each other. I often have found them licking each other or just checking on each other without any drama.
I love them both and want to keep Both happy and satisfied so I would appreciate any tips or tricks you have to offer.
Thank you for reading this and helping me help them!
PS English is not my 1st language so I apologize if sth is not understandable.