Severe Aggression

hischildbeth

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We had 2 established pairs of cats and we added 2 more. Introductions seemed to go well as these cats were adopted from rescue agencies and were use to multiple cats and ours have had visiting cats in and out. After about two weeks one of our cats, not the alpha, took it into his head to go after one of the new kitties everytime he saw her. All kitties are fixed. He literally wants to kill her. She is very small and docile and gets along with everyone else. She has hissed and batted at him, but twice we have had to break them up or he would have hurt her as he was pulling her fur out as fast he could. We have done absolutely everything we can think of and he will not stop. It doesn't seem to phase him that he is isolated by himself, crated, you name it we've done it. Our little girl is very resilient and other than being afraid when he is around, naturally, appears to be a very happy kitty. The only time she is out when he is is if one or two of us are in the room with a water bottle. Most of the time she goes under a chair or up a cat tree, but it never fails that he will stealthily stalk her until we are distracted reading or something and then he goes after her.

Any ideas what is going on or what to do? The vet says we need a litter box and bowl for each cat - that is 6 each and where to do we live? We have 3 bowls and 3 boxes. We have always had just 1 box and 2 bowls before these new kitties.

The other new kitty we got seems obsessed with teasing our old alpha female following her everywhere. I think she wants to challenge her position so we are watching that relationship closely too.

We love our new kitties, but we think we made a huge mistake getting these two kitties we are now bonded with.

I sure hope there is something positive this forum has to suggest!

Beth
 

tarasgirl06

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Originally Posted by bethandbrandy@n

We had 2 established pairs of cats and we added 2 more. Introductions seemed to go well as these cats were adopted from rescue agencies and were use to multiple cats and ours have had visiting cats in and out. After about two weeks one of our cats, not the alpha, took it into his head to go after one of the new kitties everytime he saw her. All kitties are fixed. He literally wants to kill her. She is very small and docile and gets along with everyone else. She has hissed and batted at him, but twice we have had to break them up or he would have hurt her as he was pulling her fur out as fast he could. We have done absolutely everything we can think of and he will not stop. It doesn't seem to phase him that he is isolated by himself, crated, you name it we've done it. Our little girl is very resilient and other than being afraid when he is around, naturally, appears to be a very happy kitty. The only time she is out when he is is if one or two of us are in the room with a water bottle. Most of the time she goes under a chair or up a cat tree, but it never fails that he will stealthily stalk her until we are distracted reading or something and then he goes after her.

Any ideas what is going on or what to do? The vet says we need a litter box and bowl for each cat - that is 6 each and where to do we live? We have 3 bowls and 3 boxes. We have always had just 1 box and 2 bowls before these new kitties.

The other new kitty we got seems obsessed with teasing our old alpha female following her everywhere. I think she wants to challenge her position so we are watching that relationship closely too.

We love our new kitties, but we think we made a huge mistake getting these two kitties we are now bonded with.

I sure hope there is something positive this forum has to suggest!

Beth
Awww. That's a shame! It is very important, any cat behaviorist or expert will tell you, for each cat to have his or her own "space" that is inviolate. Cats being by nature solitary much of the time, and "denning" animals, each needs his or her own private space to retire to when feeling crowded, irritated, fearful, shy, or in need of some private time. We've all heard of or seen big clowders of cats eating out of common bowls, but I really believe each cat needs his or her own bowl. Those really don't take up much room. I've got trays from IKEA ($2.99 each, I think) on which I can put two bowls each; this keeps them clean and they're easy TO clean residue off of. Be sure they have fresh clean water available at all times, too! As for litterboxes, that is the rule: 1 for each cat, plus an extra. In our household, due to logistics, we now are operating with two HUGE boxes, plus three very large ones, one of those hooded for those who prefer lots of privacy; and I keep them scooped FREQUENTLY. Try adding a couple of boxes and making sure each has his or her own bowl; and you may want to isolate your little girl, maybe with her co-adopted, for a couple of weeks in a room of her/their own, and re-introduce very gradually, after you've made these changes. A good reference book that may help: CAT vs. CAT by behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett (Penguin), available on Amazon.com and all the usual places.
GOOD LUCK!!!
 
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