Cat stalking other cat, causing severe anxiety

kay76310

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I have two cats, one male and one female. Both are about 10 years old and both have been in the same household for about the same time. My male cat has progressively become more aggressive towards the female. He "hunts" the other cat, stalking her around the house and occasionally pouncing on her. His idea of playing is not the same as hers. She is large and able to defend herself mostly but she's not aggressive enough to really fight back. In fact, she cowers, runs, and stays on my bed (her safe place). It has gotten to the point that she has been defecating on my bed. This morning, the male cat cornered her bad enough that she jumped on the bed and peed all over my husband's head and pillow. Yes, very nice awakening at 6 in the morning. We rescued a dog about a year ago. Since then, the cats' personalities have not changed. However, the male cat has intensified. It's as if he is asserting his alpha male dominance. We try to give him extra attention but if we are around with the other cat or dog, he just stares at us from across the room. You can see the jealousy all over his face. Interestingly, the female cat has no qualms about slapping the dog a couple of times in the face if she comes within 6 inches of her. The dog is very aware of this and steers clear of her space. Aside from the stalking, the cats get along fine and always have. There have been times the male cat has come to her rescue when she has cried out in pain or stuck in a closet by accident. Any advice on how to stop the stalking, how to make the male cat less jealous, and for the love of God how to help prevent the peeing and defecating on our bed and allowing the female cat to feel safe in her own environment???
 

darcifinn

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No answers here but a lot of sympathy. My girl came home from the vet a week ago and hasn't been left alone since. I am exhausted as it goes on all night. My put my boy on Xanax.
 

feralvr

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Welcome to the site
. Sounds like your cats do love eachother but have developed this issue of confusion and conflicting ideas about what is acceptable behavior for their playtime. I would try to start having a couple of intense play sessions with your male cat each day and put your female cat in your room. BTW, I would add a litter box and all her necessities in your room, since that is where she feels safest at the moment. Try to burn off that energy with your male cat by playing interactive games with him and you. Since he is TEN, this should lessen his desire to chase her around and pounce on her all the time. Hope things can settle back down for your cat family
 

kittkatt

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Originally Posted by Feralvr

I would try to start having a couple of intense play sessions with your male cat each day and put your female cat in your room.

I have the same problem with Geronimo terrorizing Cassidy. I've found that he's less likely to go after her if I spend extra playtime with him, and give him more lovin' than usual. It hasn't stopped the behavior entirely, but he's not as intense about it if he gets extra attention.

BTW, I would add a litter box and all her necessities in your room, since that is where she feels safest at the moment.
I agree with Lauren's suggestion.
Cassidy pretty much lives behind the couch now because of Geronimo's going after her, so I put a litterbox and food & water behind the couch for her to have easier access to. I'm always worried that she might not get enough to eat & drink if Geronimo has her cornered at night when I can't keep an eye on him. She also was pooping & peeing behind the couch cuz she couldn't get to the litterbox: she now has access to a litterbox, so she goes in there now.

Have you tried using Feliway to help keep your aggressive cat more relaxed? I haven't had much success with it myself, but others swear by it. You can also get something called Nature's Remedy, which is a natural herbal tonic that helps to keep the aggressive cat calm.

Good luck! I know how stressful it can be having a cat that tries terrorizing the others like that.
 
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