My Cat Has Turned into a Bully - HELP!

Hi all, I have two cats, Boo-3 and Bella-2. Bella has always been playful and lovable, Boo is a little more independent but lovable and used to occasionally play well with Bella. Now Boo has turned into a complete bully with Bella - to the point that Bella is biting two spots on her back (hot spots). Bella is constantly looking behind her back to see if Boo is nearby. When she is in bed with me cuddling and suckling, she will constantly stop, turn her head to see if Boo is nearby. Boo will chase her down and rough house way too aggressively. How can I stop Boo from being such a bully?

Are your cats spayed and neutered?

Yes, they are both neutered.

If they were recently neutered, it takes time for the system to clear itself and aggression can occur. It sounds like one dominant alpha cat trying to make a point. Be sure that the cats don't share anything, not litter pans, beds, water and food bowls, toys, nothing. Have a cat condo in the house that solves a lot of problems and look into the feliway comfort zone room diffuser and start burning a few of them in the house. Check them often (they are plug ins and sometimes they get really hot in the outlet and need to be unplugged for awhile).

From your previous posts, Boo (11 months at that time) has been rough playing Bella since you got her at 12 weeks old. I agree with Hissy's advice.

I meant to say they are spayed (2 girls) and they were spayed when they were kitten. They have different food bowls but it is difficult to separate toys and litter box - it was never a problem until about a month ago. I have a feliway and it doesn't do much of anything. It's getting to the point that Boo is really starting to annoy me because Bella only wants to play and love Boo.

Yes, that was when I first got Bella - it got better after a couple of months - now 1 1/2 years later, it has started again.

Originally Posted by lisa1124

Yes, that was when I first got Bella - it got better after a couple of months - now 1 1/2 years later, it has started again.

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Has anything changed in your house recently? Boo and Bella checked out okay by the vet?
It is possible that something is stressing out Boo and she picks on Bella who in turn gets upset adding more tension between them.

Yes, I got a 37 gallon freshwater fish tank. But they both seem intrigued by it. I took Bella to the vet because of the hot spot. She is perfectly healthy. I guess I should take Boo in. If a cat has diabetes, could that make them hyper? Boo is a big girl.

Also, Bella eats in the kitchen and Boo eats in another room - should I keep all the food bowls in the kitchen? I used to keep everything in the kitchen but Boo would never eat so I moved her dish.

Originally Posted by lisa1124

Also, Bella eats in the kitchen and Boo eats in another room - should I keep all the food bowls in the kitchen? I used to keep everything in the kitchen but Boo would never eat so I moved her dish.

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I have the exact same thing here! Ben was here first for a few years and 3 months ago I adopted Panther (both neutered). FIRST Ben LOVED Panther and even licked him but suddenly he HATES him and if poor Panther tries to play Ben attacks him. Ben suddenly hates me too!

I think a vet visit would be good for your two. Ben goes tomorrow!

Please let me know what your vet says. I guess I should make another appointment. I dread taking them. Bella cries nonstop to the point I'm crying.

Make some tissu paper "plug" for your own ears so you can`t hear her as well, and cover her kitty cage with a blanky. She may not be so frightened if she can`t SEE the world go by in the car windows....it is not going to help her if she senses that you are all upset too. If you can`t hear her as well then maybe you won`t be so disturbed by her crying.
I hope that both you and MyBabies get vet reports that it is something simple to remedy.
I `ll be checking back to see what the vets have had to say.
Linda

Thanks. Good luck tomorrow and please let me know what happens either on this site or email me at [email protected]. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take mine until later in the week due to work.

Originally Posted by lisa1124

Please let me know what your vet says. I guess I should make another appointment. I dread taking them. Bella cries nonstop to the point I'm crying.

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If you are crying while you are in the car with them, they pick up on your stress fairly easily and it gets them agitated. When i transport ferals, most of them always cry. I have learned to match their meow with one of my own, same pitch, same length of time. It has worked marvelously to stop them crying. Usually takes about 4 repeats before they just quit crying.

When one cat goes to the vet and the other does not, the vetted cat comes home smelling funny and that can provoke attack. You need to neutralize their scent so they both smell the same.

What a great suggestion! I will do just that. I do it at home with Bella. She talks to me all the time and I meow right back to her.