Expert: Tina - 7/3/2004

Question
I have a VERY BAD cat behavior problem.  I've got three cats.  A rescued mother and daughter, Ozzie and Harriet and Aby, an Abyssinian.  Ozzie's probably almost 4.  Harry and Aby are three.

Ozzie has become progressively more aggressive toward the other two cats.  At the moment, I'm locked in the sun room with her because I woke up to a terrible cat fight.  It sounded like an outside cat had gotten into the house.  But Ozzie had attacked Harry.  She's very jealous of any other cat getting attention.  And she's attacked them.  But not this badly.  Harry kept growling and acting "cornered."  Ozzie went after her again and Harry wet herself and pooped because she was so frightened.  I've separated them, but I don't know what to do.  Harry was a kitten when we got them, so I didn't know that Ozzie would like to be the only cat in the family.  She's totally set the whole cat household into an uproar.  Previously, she has kept Aby off my bed.  She attacks Aby at random times.  Now she's gone after Harry in spades.  A little while ago she ran at the sliding glass door full tilt--I assume because she saw Harry.  It's like she's lost her mind, although she's fine with me.  But we can't stay locked in here forever.  Naturally, she picked Saturday morning to pull this trick.  Any suggestions?  She wants to be MY only cat.  

Answer
Hi Ruth,

Aggression can be very hard to deal with - especially when you love all the cats involved! It is hard not to feel angry at the agressor for their actions. But I'm glad to hear you have not been punishing Ozzy for her behavior, because punishment often makes aggression worse - the cat associates the bad experience with the vistim cat and makes them pay for it so to speak.

The first step you have already taken - to separate the cats for a few days. Let Ozzy calm down and don't pay her too much attention when she is alone with you. You will eventually want to re-teach her to associate the other cats with more attention from you, rather than time  alone as a chance to get more time with you. It's important to keep her separated for a few days to break the cycle, because now that the other cats fear her they will react resentfully to her and that will make her more angry.

While she is separated, I'd recommend trying a couple of things to calm her. The first is a herbal supplement called Nutricalm. It's available through vets and also online, here is one place I have found it:
http://www.vetamerica.com/rxvinuforca5.html
It may help take the edge off her aggression, but it takes a few days to work so keep her separated for now. Another thing that I have had success with is Feliway - a product designed to stop territorial urine spraying by mimicking the facial pheremones given off by cats when they rub their cheeks on things. It can also help reduce territorial aggression. It comes as a spray or plug-in diffuser and is available at most pet stores.

Once you have the products that may help, you can start re-introducing Ozzy to the other cats, attempting to redirect any aggession away from them and to toys. If she has a favorite toy, let her out into the house but immediately play with her. When she is tired of that, give her a treat in the presence of the other cats. If she starts getting aggressive, away she goes back to her room. Not as a punishment, but to prevent a cycle of aggression from getting worse.

Make sure you find out what she really likes to play with, something that can distract her from almost anything. Most cats will find a lser pointer toy to be very interesting and if you start playing with that at the first sign of aggression starting, you provide her with a healthy outlet for her anger and hunting instincts.

Try to schedule a regular time with her to play and cuddle. Cats like routines so they can expect certain things, and if she feels in control of some part of her life, she will be less likely to try and exert control over the other cats. It's not just jealousy of your attention, but control of the home that she sees at stake here.

It's important to be patient and try not to take sides or punish behavior, since cats really do not react to punishment. Instead try to prevent the behavior from occuring by giving more desirable alternatives (such as play) and by rewarding good behavior (eg giving treats when she is good around the other cats).

Finally, I assume she is spayed, but has she ever shown any signs of heat or such behavior? Occasionally, a small part of the ovary or uterus breaks off during the spay and if it's not removed it can continue to generate hormones. That could lead to territorial behavior that comes and goes as well as other problems. It's an unlikely scenario but if she has shown other signs of hormonal problems you should have her checked by a vet - they can often remove the piece of tissue left behind.

Good luck!