Several months ago I began feeding a stray cat in the neighbourhood. He became very used to coming around and I even began letting him in my apartment. For the first three or four months this was fine. Suddenly though, within the past week or so, he's began attacking my other cat who's been with me for eleven years. Obviously, I cannot allow him to do this.
He has unusually conflicting moods. Sometimes he's really sweet and sometimes he's really saucy. He'll cuddle up with you at night and then he'll bite you totally unsolicited.
Some have suggested neutering but he isn't even my cat yet. I wanted to give him a break and take him but I don't want to keep him if there's a risk of him continuing to attack my other cat. What if I go and neuter him and the bad behaviour keeps up?
Some others have said that his behaviour may be a result of being a stray and learning to fend for himself...
Any insights?
2007-03-10 22:34:37 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I think that now he has been allowed in the house he is feeling very comfortable and feels like th apartment is now rightfully his territory and is challanging your cats to be the "alpha" or dominant cat in the household. Neutering may help, but it may not completely solve the problem. I think you should neuter him whether or not you decide to keep him in the apt. It is rather inexpensive for male cats and this way if he is going to stay outdoors he will not be getting any stray females pregnant and contributing to the pet overpopulation problem. Your cats may fight back and the problem may solve itself if he realizes your cats are not going to give up their status, or it could continue and you may have to just make him an outdoor pet.
2007-03-11 15:22:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds as though the stray is jealous of your other cat. Is your long term cat male or female? Your cats could be squabbling over top cat position, especially if they are both males. Bear in mind this stray you have taken in has probably not been vaccinated against any diseases. You need to think about whether you want to keep him permanently, or whether it would be kinder on your current pet to hand him in to a rescue center.
2007-03-11 06:50:13 · answer #2 · answered by skip a heartbeat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have the cat neutred. You will be doing yourself, your cat and this stray cat a real favor. After neutring, a male cat tends to calm down quite a bit. As to whether he will continue to attack your cat remains to be seen. But that kind of behavior CAN be discouraged and stopped with the simple squirt gun or water pistol. Squirt him whenever he attempts to attack your cat. Its just a matter of letting him know that YOU are the boss.
2007-03-11 06:47:06 · answer #3 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Fixing him will stop the fighting. But cats are like siblings, sometimes they fight. I have 5 housecats, they all were raised together from birth, one minute they will be playing or all sleeping all cute and nice then a fight will break out. If you want to keep him get him fixed that will solve everything.
2007-03-11 06:40:04 · answer #4 · answered by hatethinkingofnicknames 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋