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Expert: - 9/8/2009


Question
In the last two months, a male cat that I rescued about6 years ago and that gets along and even mentored some other rescued cats has attacked my younger cats that it mentored.  This male is neutered but has had a history of dental problems.  This cat has fought dogs, raccoons, and other bigger tomcats.  A tough cat but loves people.  The attacks have been stalking and would be vicious if intervention not used.  Spray bottles and all just deter for the moment.  I rescue cats, but this behavior has disrupted all of the rescued cats.  If I cannot stop the behavior, I may have to euthanize the cat, which is about ten to 14 years old.  At wits end and seemingly no options!

Answer
William,

Have you had the cat to a vet to check to see if there are any medical problems that might bring on this behavior, e.g. the thyroid being out of kilter?  Sudden behavior changes are usually due to a medical condition of some sort. Given the history of dental problems, I am wondering if the cat is in some amount of pain and reacting to that.  Also, dental problems will, eventually lead to kidney disease which also makes the cat very irritable.

BTW, spray bottles are highly over rated as any kind of way to modify cat behavior.  

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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