Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/cat fights!!! : (

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/5/2008


Question
Hi,I am have a big problem with my cats...ok so let me fill you in on the big picture lol i have 4 female cats and one 8 month old female pomeranian, i know i know im asking for it... i have one 5 year old cat,4 year old, 2 year old and 1 1/2 year old.... the 1 1/2 year old and the 4 year old are the only ones with a problem, every cat i have gets along with each other, the baby i just got fixed when she turned 1 before i got her fixed she was irrating everyone, esp. the one shes currently fighting with, it wasent until after i got her fixed that she started this problem but now im worried cause my 4 year old looks like shes losing weight prob cause she's stressed, she's been staying in one area like the kitchen for example. and when the baby cat walks in my older cats will start to hiss then get on the floor and just squat down, the baby cat will walk around like nothings wrong and the other wont move just keep hissing, then the baby will attack her and it started with like once a week now its 1-3 times a day , they never hang out with each other, the older cat likes to keep to herself while the other 3 play around its like they made her the outsider or she made herself the outsider, now where ever she is she will pee in that area she's even peed on me in bed peed on my gym bag and my dirty clothes she was never like that, there all rescues from the pound, but the baby thats starting stuff i found off the street...any time im petting my 4 year old the baby will come in the room and stay like 3 feet watching,and the older cat will start to hiss and will leave me....whats going on?!?! plz help

Answer
Kristina,

Cats are like people, some are bullies, and some have personality clashes.

Your 4 year old is seriously stressed by the situation with the little one and she should be your first priority. By peeing on your things she is telling you how very unhappy, stressed, and upset she is. Yes, it can cause health problems too.

I would consider re-homing the little one or letting her be an indoor/outdoor cat. You may love her, but if you also love the 4 year old you need to consider her feelings too.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.