Expert: Dear Tabbi - 12/15/2008

Question
My 5 year old female cat attacks my 3 year female cat. I could be petting the 5 year old on my lap and the 3 year old walks from the kitchen to the hall the other cat takes off from my lap and attacks the other cat. Sometimes I get in the line of fire. Last night around 2AM the 3 year old was kneading on my when all of a sudden screaming and clawing when on with some claws dug in my face. I was NOT happy ..Does Cali my 5 year old need some shots?  It happens pretty much every day..

thanks

Answer
Marilyn,

No, your cat does not need shots because of scratching. It would be too late if she did.

Sometimes cats, like people, have personality clashes and cannot get along. And it sounds like there is some jealousy going on. I imagine they are spayed, but if they are not they need to be done. That would help.

You can try a rolled up newspaper and when one gets aggressive, I would use the newspaper, loudly saying "NO fighting!". The cat should begin to associate the newspaper with her behavior and be more careful.

Can you pet them together? That would show equal affection and make being together a pleasant experience, and not a negative one.

Can you put one in a closed room while you give attention to the other?

In this case, short of finding one cat a new home, or making one an inside/outside cat, you are going to have to make concessions for their personalities.

I have a couple that act that way too, but I boot their butt outside when they get like that. They don't want to out in the cold so they basically behave when I'm around. I just have to say menacingly "don't do it...".

Try getting a pet laser light (from Petco/PetSmart, etc.) so they can play interactively chasing the 'little red bug' on the walls and floors. The tend to forget the other cat and it helps them be together without fighting.

Here some links to articles about bully/alpha cats that you may want to read:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.catfactfiles.com/how-can-i-stop-my-cat-bullying-another-cat/

http://www.petplace.com/cats/how-to-get-your-cats-to-be-best-friends/page1.aspx#

http://www.petplace.com/cats/the-alpha-cat-syndrome/page1.aspx

(on the last 2 there is a registration window, just use the close at the bottom of the window to read the article)

I hope this helps,

Tabbi