You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- Is it aggression?
Cats/Is it aggression?
Advertisement
Question
I have two wonderful feline best friends, Paxton and Pandora. I got them this past May off of craigslist, and they lived in that household together as well, sort of like kitty soul mates, I guess.
Pandora is about a year and a half old and is female. She is an absolute attention hog! Sometimes I swear she's just going to go off her rocker if my hands are not on her or she's not touching me in some way, which is great most of the time because I love cuddling with her. But, I'm concerned about Paxton, my two and a half year old male cat. Because she's always seeking out my attention I'm worried that he isn't getting the attention he needs and deserves. Even when he seeks me out for attention, Pandora jumps right in and takes it from him, not because I stop paying attention to him. He just walks away.
They get along in every other way. I just don't get it. They are so cute when they cuddle together. But I can't help but wonder if I'm doing something wrong and if they are both happy.
Is this a form of aggression? What can I do to make sure that Paxton isn't feeling neglected because Pandora is always stealing his spotlight?
Rebecca,
I would not worry about Paxton. We have a tendency to overlay our emotions and motives on cats. Cats do not think like we do and, frankly, we really do not understand all of their motivations!!!!!!!!!!
As long as Paxton is not showing any signs of anxiety, like overgrooming, inappetance, poor bathroom habits, etc., he is probably fine.
Cats tend to find the niches they prefer with respect to people. He just may not be as needy as Pandora seems to be.
Best regards... Norm.
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
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.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.