A. There is always going to be some amount of conflict in a multiple cat home. Felines are territorial animals and the dominant cat continually reasserts her dominance by "beating up" on the submissive cat. Usually the dominant cat will approach the other with hissing or stalking behavior. If that doesn't chase the submissive cat away, she will progress to swatting, wrestling, or biting. These kinds of interactions are normal. However, if the submissive cat is being hurt or is hiding excessively, then you need to intervene.

Often a surge in dominance behavior is associated with a perceived threat to her territory. Changes in the household such as a move, a new pet, a new baby, or new cat in the neighborhood can all cause increased aggressive behavior. But the most common cause is fighting over resources. Your cats' resources are their space, food, and litter boxes, and to some extent, their people. Because you live in an apartment, they are probably fighting over resources.

But, you say, they got along great while they were young. It is typical for cats to start to fight when one or both reaches social maturity, between 2 and 5 years of age. This is when they start to recognize what their resources are and whether they need to have control over them.

I would recommend providing two sets of food and water dishes and two litter boxes in separate locations. Ideally, the cats cannot see each other from each location. Watch the cats closely to see if they are fighting over a particular space such as a preferred chair or cat tree. You may need to provide additional "prime spots."

Three-dimensional spaces such as kitty condos or cardboard boxes will increase their perception of safety. If they only fight in front of you, perhaps they need more one-on-one attention with you. Your goal is to reduce the aggression to an acceptable level. It will probably not be eliminated completely.

I do not think declawing would help this problem in any way. You can learn more about declawing at http://www.eastbayspca.org/petownership. Additionally, you may want to have the bumps on your cat's head checked out by your veterinarian to make sure it is in fact trauma and not dermatitis or a flea allergy. Your kitties are fortunate to have an owner who cares about them enough to help them solve their kitty problems.

Q. I have one question about my cat. He was neutered a year ago. He tries to "hump" his blankets or toys. When I take him away he leaves a discharge, and it smells really bad. Please tell me if this normal or not.

A. Pets and children seem to know how to make us all squeamish from time to time. It sounds to me as if your cat may be expressing his anal glands. These are two glands next to the anal area that usually empty during a normal bowel movement. If they become inflamed or infected, animals will often try to rub the area to get them to empty. The secretions of the glands have a very foul, musky odor.

It is also entirely possible that your cat is doing this for pleasure. While most neutered cats will not do this, some will, particularly if they were neutered after puberty. I would first recommend having your cat examined by your veterinarian to make sure that he is not having a problem with his anal glands or urinary tract. If everything checks out, then you will just have to deal with his frisky habit.

Designate one stuffed animal that he can "have his way with" and keep other items out of reach. Launder the toys and blankets in hot water so that the odor is completely gone. If the cat is doing it in front of you, he may be trying to get your attention, in which case you could try redirecting him with catnip or a feather toy. Rest assured that your cat is not abnormal, just confused.