The cats downstairs?

So, I live on the third floor, in 6, and the people in 1, (two floors down and on the other side) have three cats. They had two when Zissou got here, and then got another around the time she started play-biting.
Is there any possible way that the cat downstairs is causing this? She's never seen it, but we share a stairwell (possibly the HVAC too, I'm not sure). I thought it was just play-biting, as she never tries to hurt, but sometimes it seems out of nowhere. Although she loves shoes. She sits by the door with the shoes like theyre her kingdom.
Can she smell this kitty downstairs, and is it making her have "redirected aggression" towards me? Is it possible that she can smell it? Theres absolutely no way to see it, but if we both had our windows open she might be able to hear it?
What do I do about it? Should I introduce them? It would be possible, I know the neighbors well enough for that.

Wow...I applaud your good thinking! Yes, I would say she can most definitely smell the other cat(s)...if you guys share an HVAC. I would try maybe putting some vanilla extract on the vents? I've heard (though have not yet tried) that it works wonders to neutralize other cats' scents. People put it on kitties' chins and right at the base of the tail on the back on both kitties when one comes home from the vet, so they both smell the same, and it apparently works wonders!

I have never had the problem you're experiencing first-hand, but it sounds like that might really help. Be sure to use pure vanilla extract.

Let us know how things go, ok?

From what I've read about redirected aggression, I don't think that's it. I'm sure she can smell the other cats, but the smell is just in the air, it isn't ON anything in her territory....i.e. the other cats haven't marked....so it's not threatening to her. Aggression would be more severe than play biting, so I think that's probably just what it is...play biting.

Originally Posted by coaster

From what I've read about redirected aggression, I don't think that's it. I'm sure she can smell the other cats, but the smell is just in the air, it isn't ON anything in her territory....i.e. the other cats haven't marked....so it's not threatening to her. Aggression would be more severe than play biting, so I think that's probably just what it is...play biting.

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Yeah, but don't you think constantly smelling other cats' smells in her territory would make her nervous? I'm not saying I think's it's redirected agression...but maybe trying Feliway would work to calm her? I thought maybe putting the vanilla on the vents would try to take away the other cats' scents, thus taking away any nervousness or tenseness she might be feeling from it. (Or maybe trying something else to cover the scent.) Know what I mean?

Doesn't hurt to try.

Well I'm confused...
Could I create any problems by rubbing vanilla on the vents?

I don't think so. Maybe try posting another thread with the title being something like "Vanilla on vents" or some such so others will know more precisely what you're thinking. Maybe someone has a more specific experience to yours.

I've known certain cats to be territorial enough that smelling another cat even through a vent gets them a bit feisty. But, that could possibly not be the case. Might as well try...what can it hurt, ya know?

But, like I said, if you're worried about doing it, post another thread asking about it. Otherwise, I don't see a problem.