Expert: Dear Tabbi - 2/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a female cat who was spaded.  I've recently moved to a different address.  There are two male cats hanging around my porch.  One seems nice but continues to meow and make sounds morning, noon and night.  The black cat is mean and once got in a fight with my cat.  Tonight the black cat and the yellow cat were furiously fighting on my porch.  I didn't think that male cats were interested in a spaded female.  Now, I can't let my cat outside because I'm afraid that the other cats will hurt her.

Thank you for your time,

Elizabeth

ANSWER: Elizabeth,

It is possible that the tomcats lived there before you moved in and that is 'their territory'. Or the former tenants could have possibly had an unspayed female.

It may not be a sexual thing though. The black cat may be fighting with your cat because, being the 'new' cat, she is in 'their' territory. And they are fighting with each other for control of that area.

If you can afford it, take the nice one to a low cost or free spay/neuter clinic and have him fixed.

I would be careful letting your cat out until the cats realize that she is here to stay.

Tabbi

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

QUESTION: Tabbi,

I neglected to mention that no one has lived in my house for two years.  The yellow tom cat makes mating calls to my cat, when he is on my back porch. It would make sense about fighting for territory, however, the cats were on my porch, and the porch is fenced in; the cats jump over the fence.  Because the cats make mating calls outside my window, it appears that the cats are interested in my spaded cat.  Both tom cats appear well fed and healthy.  If the tomcats were interested only in territory, or food I don't believe they would be making mating calls. My question is why would the male cats make matting calls when my female cat has been fixed?  p.s.  I will try to catch the orange cat.  Again thank you for your time.

Answer
Elizabeth,

The tomcats shouldn't be interested in your female. How does she react? Does she show any signs of being in heat? It is possible that they missed an ovary when she was spayed. It is not common, but it does happen. I would call a vet and ask him that question.

Also is it possible that there are any female feral cats hiding out under something, like under your porch or under your house that you haven't seen? The tomcats may smell a feral cat and think that it is yours if the scent in very close by.

Tabbi