Expert: Kate Tilmouth - 9/20/2008

Question
Dear Kate,

At the moment I live in a home with 5 cats 2 males 3 females all fixed. Two of them are mine. Sisters born in the same litter last December. Just Tabby cats both females.  Rajah one of the sisters is acting out against all of the other cats growling and swapping her paw claws out wanting full attention.  It’s almost like she is trying to be the dominate child of the group.  I want to know if this is a permanent character defect?  I’m moving next August to just the 2 sister living on their own and I want to work on her jealous behaviors.  

Answer
Hi
this is totally normal cat behavior and not a defect in her personality.,

cats are not pack animals like dogs and do not live well in large groups. When there are groups of cats living together there will always be fights over dominance. cats are all about territory and so it does sound like your cat is making her claim to be top cat and claiming the territory for hers elf. what will normally happen is that the other cats will either decide to let her be boss and they will behave in a much more subservient manner around her or they will challenge her for the territory.
This behavior will always be the same there is nothing you can do to change it. It is a normal instinct.

best wishes Kate