cat attacks

[mflynn619]

We have a 9yr plus rescue female (not sure of her background and how used to other cats she is), we bought a british blue male kitten (neutered at 12 weeks), he is now 18 months old and beginning to attacked the female. He begins to show signs of framing up to her, she typically lies down with all feet ready to protect herself and he throws himself on her (literally backs in to her then hurls himself on to her).

What should we do break them up, shout at him, separate him from her? If we do anything will he get jealous and worse, help!!!

[Androcles]

Put him on the naughty step and explain quietly why this is not a good way to behave, especially to an older woman!

Seriously, I suspect that if a pattern of behaviour like this establishes itself, it will be difficult to break, especially when you are not there. I wonder if you may have to see how things go for a while and if it doesn't change you may have to dispose of him (to a new home!)

[originalspa]

I guess it depends on how often this happens and more to the point, does he injure her?

My two do this still, almost 2 years on, even though we got them as rescues together! They do play fight every now and then but they never hurt each other, thank God! (I've never had to take them to vets because of it!)

My 2 do respond to a firm no but this isn't a daily thing, so it does depend on the frequency?!

The funny thing is, they do sleep together side by side occasionally and they also groom each other's face, which is so cute to watch, so I'm pretty sure they don't hate each other!

Just keep an eye on the situation and I hope you don't need to re-home either as the British Blue's are really cute cats but I have been told they can be temperamental creatures at times!!

Good luck!

[ruthann58]

i have 5 and 2 of them still cant manage to be in the same room for very long before they have to have a disagreement they have lived together for about 9 years so if they can put up with it i can

[ladyalex]

I think you just have to leave them alone to work out who is Top Cat at any given time.....unless, of course real damage is being done.
Our two were litter-mates and still fight almost daily after 10 years...but like originalspa's cats they also sleep cuddled up.

If it gets really bad...hissing and such, we try to separate them for a while, separate rooms, until things calm down again which they always do.

[Ava77]

How long have you had him? Either he could be playing, but as kittens this often comes out as aggression. Or he's just reached that age where he's vying for boss-cat position. Also worth remembering that they're well into breeding season at this time of year, so maybe he's getting a whiff of her and it's affecting his behaviour (neutered or not).

Most effective way to split them up (or head off an impending attack) is to clap your hands as loud as possible close to them. It tends to make them jump and stop what they're doing.

Shouting isn't a good idea for a variety of reasons, and probably not a good idea to get your hands and arms in there with all those claws!

[mflynn619]

Thank you for all the comments, I have been using a technique which I found on the cat behaviour pages called 'scruffing'. This involves acting like his mother would have when he misbehaved. Every web site said to stop the fight/attack before it began if possible, preferably by assertively holding his scruff and gently pushing him down towards the floor, they are supposed to go floppy/still...and he does. You say 'no' or hiss (have not been hissing, thought that was a step too far) and then pet him afterwards, again like his mum would. It seems to be working, yippee.