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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Out of character anger from my tom cat

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/5/2008


Question
QUESTION: I got my 2 kittens at 8 weeks old, brother and sister, they were both doctored and 3 months, they are now 16 months and my tom has started attacking the female, she could be sitting in another room or even sleeping. It has now got to the point where they cant be in the same room. Please help, thank you x

ANSWER: Sharleen,

Does doctored mean spayed and neutered? If they aren't that could be the problem, she could be coming into heat. I would get that done if you haven't. And Neutering your tomcat would help his behavior ALOT! He is probably attacking her out of frustration if he smells another female in the area in heat.

Tabbi

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry yes my cats have been spayed and neutered when they were 3 months old, i should of been cleared in my question. but my tom has started attacking her for the last few weeks, gradually getting worse over time. I'm just worried that he is going to get worse and start attacking people as i have a child in the house.

Answer
Sharleen,

Getting the tom neutered should change his attitude.

Also when a cat has a noticable change in behavior it may be cause he is in pain or because of a medical problem. It would be good to take him to the vet for an exam.

If his behavior doesn't get better, speak to the vet about possibly putting him on 'kitty Prozac' for a short term. It is very common these days for aggressive cats, stressed cats, and cats with emotional problems.

I hope things work out.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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.

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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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