Is my cat being bullyed?

Question

My cat plays outside most of the day and we have a commual garden shared by other apartments in the block. One of the residents has a big black cat and he is always chasing my cat around. Lately I have been hearing the loudest meows ever and it is the black cat meowing really loudly at my cat, almost in his face when my cat is sitting on the doorstep, he looks really frightend. He isn't eating much anymore either, are they just playing or is the black cat being mean to him?

I am not just watching by the way! As soon as I see the black cat I go and get my cat and bring him inside, but he is very determined and never wants to come home, I do take him inside though, I'm not that cruel!!

Answer 1

Unless the black cat is just naturally a very vocal cat, it sounds like it may be fighting - usually when cats play, they don't make much noise, but cat fights usually involve a lot of noise - they'll often scream at each other before they start fighting.

You may want to try spraying some Feliway spray around the garden to defuse tension - it has calming pheromones.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1061
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?N=2002&aid=730
You can find it at many vet clinics and pet supply stores.

I also recommend taking your cat to the vet for a checkup, since he's not eating well - he could be sick. Cats are very good at hiding illness, and it's often hard to tell when a cat isn't feeling well - so any change in appetite or behavior should be evaluated by a vet. Also, sometimes cats can tell when another cat is ill, and will pick on that cat - so it's possible that may be why the other cat is yowling at your cat.

Only let your cat out there when you're there to supervise, and bring some treats with you. Find a treat both cats really like -bits of chicken are usually a universal hit. Whenever the black cat comes around your cat, give both cats some treats. That will help the cat begin to associate your cat's presence with good things. If he'll let you pet him, that can help too.

If you can come up to the black cat and touch him, you can try the 'scent trick' - make both cats smell similar, so they'll accept each other. There are two ways you can do this:

1) put a small dab of vanilla extract under the chin and at the base of the tail of each cat, or

2) pet the black cat with a cloth in your hand, then run that cloth all over your own cat, then run it over the black cat.

To keep your cat happy inside when you can't be there to supervise him in the garden, see these pages for some good ideas:
http://www.catclinicofroswell.com/faq/detail.aspx?faqid=3
https://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/home/beh/feline_behavior/enrichment.html
http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/indoorcat
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=playtherapyforcats

And here's a good article about stress in cats that may help your cat:
http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/stress.htm

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I have the same problem with my kitty, he's only 7 months old and is picked on by two ginger cats and they do go for him, when I'm at home and I hear them fighting then I go outside and shoe the gingers away and my kitty runs through the door, although he has got a cat flap. So yes, I would say that they are picking on him and I would take him to the vets if he's not eating as he could be wounded. My kitty didn't eat the first time he was in a fight and the reason being was because he'd been bitten three times on his leg by one of them, so he had to have injections because cat bites can turn very infectious. Good luck.

Answer 3

was this Black cat there before your cat as it may be a teritory thing. the black cat may be marking its grounds!!!

when we first moved to our house my next door neighbours cat used to always jump the fence and attack my cat which made my cat want to stay home all the time or just stay in our garden and come in when the neighbours cat appeared. then one day my cat decided enough was enough and fought back. if i heard a cat fight out side i would go out with a glass of water and throw it to scare the neighbours cat away. Now my neighbours cat stays in her own garden and just hisses through the fence.

i would say the black cat is being mean, you cant do anyting unless you want to keep your cat in and make him a house cat.

Answer 4

If the black cat was there first then its just being the boss and expects your cat to fall into line, some times I really wish we could talk to our pets so they would understand what we are telling them, it would save so much problems if we could.

Answer 5

The big black one is probably letting your cat know that hes the "alpha" cat where you live and usually that involves hitting or being just plain mean to the others. Similar to what dogs do with each other i guess.

Answer 6

Sounds like it is a territorial thing. The black cat is trying to get your cat off his territory.
It may all settle down in time, or they could need to battle it out !!!!!

Answer 7

Cats are very territorial and it sounds as if this black cat is coming onto your cat's territory and intimidating him. My cat is very little for his age and constantly bullied by other cats. Unfortunately he's also far too brave and NEVER backs down so we often have to take him to the vets with cuts and scratches. Poor thing. I am hoping he will learn his lesson soon!

Answer 8

Cats usually have play fights also known as Cat Fights, it is usual for cats to have enemy's as do humans, and bullying is possible but usually this is resolved once the cats have had a fight and determine who is the "TOP CAT"!

Answer 9

hi there i have the same problem but its my next door cats that is torturing my dog!!! every time i let my dog out and the next door cats is sunbathing she runs after my dog screaming and has come very close to scratching my poor dogs eyes out!!!
my dog is frightened of the cat and does not retaliate!! so now i have a water gun and squirt it at my cat if it comes close to my dog and so far its worked she has stayed well away from my dog!! happy days good luck hunny x x

Answer 10

It sure looks like bullying to me. If you know who the black cat belongs to, you might want to ask about it.

Good luck!