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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/2 male cats
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Question
we have 1 neutered stray cat (approx. 6 years old) & 1 unneutered stray cat (approx 1 year old). the older cat tries to beat up the younger one. if i have the younger male cat neutered, will that lessen the bullying? the older cat is the alpha cat & has been hanging out with us for 5 years. the younger one...a few months. thanks!!!!
kathy
Kathy,
Getting a cat neutered is never a bad thing! It also helps a bunch of behavior problems. The older cat probably does not like the smell of the unneutered cat and is being territorial.
There are no guarantees that the bullying behavior will completely stop but it should lessen. If there isn't any major fur flying, blood being shed, or ears pinned back, then the older cat may be "schooling' the younger cat about the 'rules of 'his' house' and what the pecking order is. Sometimes what looks mean and 'bullying' to us is just 'kitty communication' to cats.
Tabbi
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | thanks very much...very insightful. i need all the help i can get! thanks again. kathy | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience
Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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