Hi
I am looking for any help or advice that any of you with experience of this can give me please.

I have 2 males - the youngest is 7 & entire, the oldest 10 and castrated a couple of years ago.  They have always got on very well, they play often & sit together, there is the occasional growl but never any fighting any certainly no blood spilt, even when both were entire.

In the last few days something must have happened when we were not there, although this is purely a guess and I have no evidence other than the youngest one seems to be scared of the eldest.  He is growling at him every time the older one comes near.  The older one sometimes does that "stalking" movement, which then provokes the growling, however, he can just be in the same room and look at the other and it will provoke growling.  The growling never amounts to anything, he eventually slopes off to hide under the table in his little "safe place".

We don't want to tell the youngster off for growling, as he must be doing it out of fear, but this cannot go unchecked.  We don't have any means of separating them, and nor would I wish to.  In the evenings we are all together as a family in the living room.

Any advice as to how to handle this without making 1 or the other feel that they have done something wrong.  I don't want to make the growling situation worse.

Thanks

I haven't any personal experience but a neighbour had the youngest one neutered and vet checked for any underlying sickness and the vet check the eldest for any signs of illness. The youngest was fine but the eldest had a growth.

I think I would ask my vet to give them both the once over too. At least that way you can rule out any obvious 'illness/injury'. I would also not allow the youngster (or anyone else) to get away with growling. I wouldn't jump on him but a quick, universal "OI!" which is not directed at anyone in particular should suffice. Just a thought, but is your oldie the one that was misdiagnosed with cancer a while back?

Hi Admin
Yes, he was, well remembered.  It was a prostate problem in the end.  He's not showing any outward signs of anything recurring.