I have five indoor cats ranging from 8 years to 6 months. All resues. The four older cats are all neutered males; age 8, 7, 3, and 2. My 6 month old kitten is a female, scheduled to be spayed next week. All has been well with them until recently. My 3 year old male, Jimmy, has suddenly become aggressive toward my 2 year old male, Fritzer. He began by chasing him, which we first thought was just play, but it has escalated to the point that Fritzer is very fearful and hides except to come out at meal times. Our vet said they will work it out. He said that it would not be caused by our female kittten possibly coming into heat, becuase all males are neutered. The aggresor cat has always been the first one to accept new cats into the household, so this is very surprising. The fearful cat is very sweet natured, and not one to cause trouble. Our house is very large, so there is lots of room for all. Please help me with a solution as I do not want to part with any of my babies.
2006-11-10 08:26:08 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
You know what? Cats are very moody! We've had cats in our home as long as I can remember, and now that I'm living on my own- I have my own little Stella. I've always noticed that cats have moodswings that can last weeks/months. Just let them work it out, I say. If you think the aggressive cat is going to harm the other one, make sure you separate them while you're away. I think your vet is probably right about them working it out, though.
2006-11-10 08:31:45 · answer #1 · answered by Katie M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the vet might have told you it wasn't because of the girl kitten to make you feel better, since you are getting her fixed soon anyway.
Some animals seem to remember better than others what gender they are. My brother's spayed female cat has absolutely no interest in male cats, yet my old neutered male cat used to viciously defend his territory from all tomcats, fixed or not. Granted, cats are territorial regardless of whether they are fixed or not, but what made his behavior seem excessive was that he really enjoyed the company of female cats.
There may be a better way of training them, but this is what worked for me. What I did to make my boy get along with cats that joined the family was speak sternly to him when I saw him being too aggressive with the other cat and move him away from his victim. If he had been particularly mean I would shut him in a room by himself for ten minutes. Even if the cat does not mind being by himself for ten minutes, it will get him away from the other cat long enough to calm down and he will know that it is a punishment because you have spoken to him sternly. When I saw him minding his own business around the other cat they would both get lots of praise and a treat.
Just pretend they are strangers to each other, and teach them the rules of the house (again).
2006-11-10 17:04:14 · answer #2 · answered by capprica_6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As cats age, they may become aggressive toward people or toward other animals in the household. Especially in older animals, this aggression may be the result of a medical problem, such as one causing pain (arthritis), vision or hearing loss which results in the cat being easily startled, or diseases having direct effects on the nervous system. Stresses, such as moving can cause irritability and subsequent aggression in some cats. A combination of counter-conditioning (teaching the cat a different response when exposed to a certain stimuli), desensitization (gradually reintroducing the cat to the stimuli), and treating any medical conditions may help change the cat's behavior. Consult your veterinarian and an animal behaviorist if your older cat is becoming aggressive.
2006-11-10 17:19:12 · answer #3 · answered by pinkpiggies336 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the vet. they will work it out. As long as they have space and as long as you give them all attention and make sure they are bothe eating well don't worry. I just took in my daughters bale and he loves everyone and everything however, my female is very posessive. it's a good thing. She hunts and gets rid of all the rhodents and yes, even snakes. She also keeps other cats from coming onto the property and taking their food which is on an enclosed porch. that also keeps cats out of my trash since it's there too. She tolerates Beaker because she knows he belongs here but she still doesn't treat him like he's a friend or anything. hs sort of fears her. He weighs about 15 or more lbs. heavier than my dog. He's just a pig. So, I make sure Doodles gets fed when I put food out. She knows she will be fed and aits by the food dishes. He is always at the window or the other door making his presence known. So, she gets the food first and I fed them teice daily so she gets enough. So, your young one may have asserted himself at one point and is getting th pay back. Even spayed and neutered cats have a pecking order and they challenge their position sometimes. So, let them work it out as long as no one is really getting hurt, physically. Good luck.
2006-11-10 16:36:43 · answer #4 · answered by MISS-MARY 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had 4 cats....Two males and two females..there were 2 kittens and 2 adults...After the adults had these 2 kittens the mother and father started fighting and growling at eachother..I had no idea what was wrong so I kept them separated hoping that maybe the mother was just tired and cranky after giving birth like humans...lol anyways when i let the mommy out she still went after the dad and even started attacking her babies and bit one of their tails off :( I think it was all the horomones in her body totally out of whack after she gave birth...we had to get rid of her to another home...we had the 2 adults for 2 years prior to this so YES they can turn on eachother
2006-11-14 16:02:54 · answer #5 · answered by rkonkin226 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe they were fighting over the new 6month old female!!
2006-11-10 17:01:06 · answer #6 · answered by CupCake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋