Expert: Karen Craft - 5/13/2011

Question
QUESTION: I have 2 males cats in my household and 4 females.  First male is 10 years old, and the second one is 7.  The females are 14, 10,7, and 5.  In the past several months I have noticed that my 7 year old orange tabby is chasing the females more.  He is trying to pounce on them.  I think this is more sexual behavior, but he is aggressive about it.  Usually I hear screeching from the basement like one of the cats is being hurt.  But when I go down there he's pouncing on them.  It sounds worse usually than it is. But it's getting so bad all the females have to do is see him and they start growling at him.  Approximately 2 years ago one of the cats was bit and got an abscessed wound. I didn't know about it until I pet her and had something smelly oozing out.  I'm starting to think it was my 7 year old orange tabby. I have had him into the vet. Other than being constipated from excessive grooming, he was healthy.  The vet thought that the "attraction" to my arm that he has displayed  was just that time of year, even though he was spayed when he was a kitten, he can still display that type of behavior.  He has not displayed this type of behavior ever until now. So I find it odd. I did get a toy and started playing with him more which helped a lot. But since he got part of it stuck on his tooth and it scared him, now he doesn't play with the toy the same. Now he's starting to chase the females more and tackle them.  He tries to bite them in the back neck area which is sexual type behavior.  I don't have any money right now to buy anything.  I know there is feilway diffuser, but that is rather pricey right now. My other male cat has hyperthyroidism and all my money is going to his medication and vet visits.

Is there something I can do that doesn't cost money to divert this behavior?

Thanks!
Melissa

ANSWER: Hi Melissa,

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you but my computer was down. You sound like you have a few problems going on with him. First I would have your vet check him over to make sure there is nothing physically wrong with him. Then I would try to figure out what type of aggressive behavior he is displaying. We can figure what to do once we figure what is wrong. Here are a couple of articles that explain the different types of aggression and what can be done.

http://www.2ndchance.info/aggressivecat.htm

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/aggression.html

He may be showing more than one type of aggression. Think back on when the behavior started. Did he just come back from the vet? Was he looking outside? What changed around the time of him getting aggressive?

You were on the right track with extra play time. Try a laser pointer. Groom him with a brush. Get some special treats for him. I find that kitty fishing works great and cats love it. To do this you need to tie a fake mouse on a long string to an end of a fishing pole or stick. Then cast out and let him chase it. Most cats go bonkers for this. I have had to hide my pole in a closet after play time was up so the cats wouldn't grab it and run.

Here is something that might help with your situation.

http://reviews.petsmart.com/4830/2752871/pet-organics-calm-down-for-cats-reviews

It seems to have good reviews. Also you can use chamomile and thyme. They both work as calmative agents.
Hope this helped a little. You have to do a little detective work to figure out what is causing his aggression. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen



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

QUESTION: It just recently started getting worse.  And I have been giving them a little more catnip than usual.  I called my vet and she did say that some cats, catnip makes them more aggressive.  It overstimulates them, and they get more aggressive.

However the pouncing on females he's always been more playful with them. However, they do not feel the same way.  But he's gotten worse I'd say around the time that my 10 year old male cat Smokie was probably starting to get sick.  Smokie was the dominant male in the house.  He'd kick other cats out of spots he wanted, pushed them out of the way to eat etc.    I'm thinking that it may be that Charlie is more aggressive now because he's sensing Smokie is sick, and it trying to be the dominant male. It would explain the sexual behavior all of a sudden, and the aggressiveness.  But I've also noticed Smokie being aggressive at times too.  So, for now, I've stopped the cat nip.  I bought some calming cat chew treats.  They are supposed to calm the cats.  I've given Charlie one for a few nights, and so far no screeching has been heard.  So I guess that's good news!

I will try the toy you suggested.  I do have a lazer pointer and use it.  He chases it for a bit but that's it.  Then he lays down and stretches out and paws at it.

Answer
Hi Melissa,

I'm glad you gave me some more info. Male cats really bond to each other. You are right that he senses Smokie being sick And it is upsetting him. And stopping the catnip was the right thing to do. Calming chews are also a good choice. You sound like you are on the right track. I believe you will see a big difference in Charlie soon. Good luck and take care.

Ciao, Karen