i don't want to but...?

Question

I can't think of another solution. My younger cat Xander is is being mean to the older cat Izzy. Izzy won't come out of my bedroom unless i am too now and he won't go near Xander, because Xander attacks him whenever he can. X is neutered and i thought that would calm him down, but it hasn't. Now I'm afraid I'm out of options and have to find Xander a new home. I'm hoping someone here might have another idea.

X is biting hard enough to make Izzy meow in pain. I seperate them when i find them like that, but I'm not home all the time.

Izzy is 6 months, Xander 4.5. X is neutered, Izzy is what we call gender neutral. He was born a boy kitty, with boy parts that don't function. He is also half Xander's size.

Xander is 4.5 months. Izzy is not neutered b/c there is no need for it. His boy parts won't ever work. He was born sterile.

Answer 1

There's a few things you can do.

Try rubbing Izzy with catnip. Give Xander a lot of affection when you're all together to make Izzy's presence a pleasant association, but also make it very clear to X that bullying will not be tolerated with sharp verbal corrections.

Neutering isn't necessarily a solution for two males sharing the same territory. Keep in mind that even small cats in the wild have territories encompassing a mile or more. Among feral and wild smaller cats, there is a dominance order. Xander needs to understand that you're the dominant cat in the immediate area and verbal corrections with an assertive and insistent attitude on your part can help to achieve some balance.

Should the verbal corrections not work, your other option is to get physically involved by grasping the back of Xander's neck firmly when he attacks Izzy. You won't be hurting him. This is how mother cats discipline their kittens and X will most certainly understand exactly what you mean.

Answer 2

If Xander is harming Izzy like you said, then there is no reason this type of thing can continue. Not just the fact that it might be annoying, but you could also think of Izzy's health. If you got Xander neutered when he was an adult cat, that is probably the problem. Imagine if there was, let's say, a 30 year old adult. All of a sudden they got taken to the hospital and got their privates removed without any clue what was going to happen. Anything that made him a man is now gone, etc. Do you think he would get mad? I do. Spaying/neutering should come to the table when your cat is 6 months old or soon after. That is the best time to do it. Is Xander a good cat besides the distraction of Izzy, if so then you may want to think about giving him away=[

Answer 3

How old is X?? How long ago was he neutered? It can take quite a while for a young male to chill out. Meanwhile, your older cat is stressed. Give Izzy the peace of his own room, especially when you are not there. It will help things go smoothly until X is more mature. This room needs to have a litter box, food and water. It can be a bathroom or even your room. Or even a large dog crate, covered in a blanket for a peaceful haven away from the bully. And you don't mention Izzy's age...is he a senior citizen? The younger male may be trying to win dominance over the household from him and an older cat may have a lot of trouble coping with this nonsense..more reason for the haven for the older cat. If Izzy is also young, eventually things will calm down and they can cohabit if not get along perfectly.

Answer 4

This is a territory issue, and Xander is being a big "bully" by attempting to take over the alpha cat position in your home. Izzy obviously isn't up to fighting "X" for his already established place in your home. If this has been going on for quite a while without any let up on Xander's part, you just may need to find him another GOOD home where he is the ONLY cat. Oh, and by-the-way, are BOTH of these guys neutered? If not, THIS could be a HUGE cause for this problem--especially "X". Good luck with these guys--and if "X" is not neutered, please have him done asap, and you may notice a big change in his attitude. He won't constantly have his mind on the breeding process.

Answer 5

I'm confused because you said Xander was the younger cat but in the additional comment you said Xander was 4.5 years old?? Anyways, both of them should be nuetered. The 6 month old is still a kitten and always wants to play while the older one always wants to nap or do it's own thing. The kitten doesn't know his oen strength at times and I don't think he's doing it out of anger or just to be mean. If he's doing it for the dominence then he needs to know that you are the dominent cat in the household! You should discipline him everytime he does any behavior you don't like with a sharp no or clap your hands and if he still doesn't listen get up and grab him in the back of the neck with a gentle tap and say a sharp no again behind it.It will not hurt him in anyway except his pride. I would not suggest the water for that because then your punishing both of your cats .When your gone at work or away from home you could lock one of them up but most likely they will get along eventually when the kitten gets to be older. Around 2 years old! Make sure you give both of them equal attention though. I have 4 cats and took in borders and they all got along using this method. I hope it works for you too.

Answer 6

There is no guarantee that this will work. Normally I would say let cats work out their own issues. But in this case, it looks like Xander needs to be taught that pestering Izzy is a no-no. If Xander won't learn, then for Izzy's peace of mind you might want to go ahead and give Xander to someone else.

I just had a thought. Perhaps an animal behaviorist could advise you.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Keep a spray bottle on you and give him a squirt when he starts this. When you are not at home make sure Izzy has comfortable surrounding in your room. If you correct the behavior with the water X will probably runaway then make the association that it's bad.

Answer 8

Relinquishing a pet to a shelter is heart breaking, but sometimes, it isn't 'evil'. I work at a shelter, and a lot of people who bring animals in, are in similiar situations. Try everything listed above, by all means, but if you and your babies are not suited for eachother, it may be appropriate to split them up. They both sound sweet and could find a new, loving place where they are more suited. Good luck to you.

Answer 9

As weird as it may soud there are things for cats that calm them down. I saw it in the pet store the other day did you try one of them? HomeoPet General Anxiety 15 ml
and HomeoPet Anxiety TFLN 15 ml you can get them at this site

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/catcalm.php

Answer 10

I had this problem to but they sorted it out in the end and there like best friends now. Im not saying just leaving them will work though...