Tabbytudes Cat Behavior Column - July 2003

July 2003

Dear Readers,

This month's column offers a great example of how feline health can impact behavior, and vice versa. That's why it's so very important to include your veterinarian whenever your cat shows any sudden change.

Other questions concerned intercat aggression-please refer also to the February 2003 TabbyTudes column for more helpful advice. You also had more litter box concerns, and wondered about "heat" behavior in an already spayed kitty. This month's Tabby Tip at the end of the column explains why your cat might go nuts at the veterinarian's office, and suggests ways to address that. I'm pleased to announce the release of "Complete Care for Your Aging Cat" and hope folks will find it a helpful resource.

Purrs,
Amy

Can Pain Prompt Aggression?

QUESTION: I have four cats: two males (two-year-old Ricky, seven-month-old Mike) and two females (two-and-a-half-year-old Sissy, and one-year-old Mae). I've had Mae since she was seven weeks old. She has always been SO playful and loves Ricky and Sissy. Then I brought home Mike about three months ago. It took them all a little longer to get along with him but now Sissy and Ricky love him. Mae didn't really ever play with Mike at first but didn't attack him either. Now she chases him out of rooms and scratches him, but it's not a full out fight.

Mae has also been having problems with her leg. I think she pulled it somehow, or injured it playing around, jumping. I took her to the vet and they had no idea what it was, but they did say it definitely was hurting-I think the vet said around the knee area. Her knee hasn't gotten much better, but she doesn't limp as much so I assumed her leg was getting better. But now I don't think it is. She just seems to be so different to me; she seems so angry. I've read a lot and I don't think she is angry and having behavioral and personality changes because of her age, or aggravated at Mike. I think maybe she's taking her pain out on Mike?

When she plays with a mouse or feather toy she starts hissing and growling, and she does it a lot. I don't know if this is normal, but unless I never noticed she only started doing this after her leg was hurting. Sometimes she'll hiss at me for nothing I know I've done. I read one of your other articles and you said she could have just been taking her anger out on me. That's what I think is happening with her and her leg. I hope you can answer me, I would really appreciate it, sometimes it just seems like Mae is so out of it!

Mary Person