Young cat bully older arthritic cat?

Question

Hello,

We have a 15 year old male cat (Figaro) that has arthritus among other health issues. We also have a four year old female (Wendy) that bullys him. Wendy stalks Figaro and tries to knock him over at every possible opportunity (even him coming out of the box). We have tried loud "no" as well as spray bottles to no avail. Her being so rough is hard on him and he is too nice of a guy (and isn't physically able) to defend himself. We try to put her out when the weather permits to burn of energy, but this time of year, it is difficult (ideally, I would like her in all the time for her protection). I would appreciate some ideas on the best way to protect him or train her to not bully him.

Thank you!

Thank you for your reply. Figaro is on Cosequin daily and gets Medicam every three days for his arthritus. We have tried stronger meds, but they didn't agree with him.

Thank you - we thought of the jealosy angle, and have spent more time with Wendy. During the day Figaro pretty much stays on his heated bed or window hammock. We do bring him to bed with us at night and lock her out of our room - but that is for her protection (and she is impossible to sleep with). Thank you! :)

Answer 1

Figaro needs some protection from Wendy who definitely sounds like a bully. I would use Dr. Jean Hovfe's flower essence "Bully Remedy". You can go to www.spiritessence.com and read about flower essences and their use with animals. The essences are inexpensive and easy to use (though you have to use them INTENSELY at the start of any treatment).

I am disturbed to hear that Figaro is being treated with Metacam. That is a very dangerous drug for use with cats. There has been a big discussion of its use (frequently precribed for cat's with cancer) on the Yahoo group: felinecancer. I think you should "subscribe" to that group to read the information about Metacam in the archives. Membership is easy to obtain and you can then "unscribed" to the list after you read that information. Homeopathic Rhus toxicodendron is a much better treatment for arthritis. I am starting on that today as precribed by a homeopathic physician because NSAID drugs used for human arthritis are harmful to my stomach. My holistic vet had also precribed this for my very old cat for her arthritis pain.

Answer 2

This is just a playful cat who means no harm. Why try to take her personality away? For the older cat, talk with your vet about medications for arthritis. Cosequin for cats is excellent, talk with your vet. This will make Figaro a much happier cat and he just may swing a paw back at Wendy! He'll feel like a young cat again!

Answer 3

That's what kittens love to do. My kitten also often bother my cat, 6 years old, and my dog, 5 years old, and he always got scratched or bitten. That's okay, when she grows oler, she'll get bored. Maybe your kitten wants to play with a Mom, because what kittens play with is Mom's tail.
Or maybe you often cuddle Figaro, much more often than cuddling Wendy? Then she's jealous.

Answer 4

Try a spray bottle with water in it, every time she attacks the older cat spray her. She's just trying to establish dominance over him, it's perfectly normal. We had a dog that would bully my daughter (oldest child) it's the nature of animals to establish dominance over someone/ something that has a "history" in the family.

Answer 5

Hmmmm....hard one. You've done what I would do. So next I would scream really close to Wendy and douse her "good", like actually soak her with the spray bottle. They really hate getting wet, so that's all I can think of.