I have a problem with dominance in my cats

I became the offical owners of these cats a week and a half ago. The gray one is Nova and the pointed one is Luna. They were littermates and they're both spayed. They're 4 months old.




We've always known that Nova had dominant tendencies ever sence she was about 6 weeks old. It has never been a big problem. Now that they are in my home, it's starting to be an issue for me! Nova is just pretty mean about the whole thing. She'll attack Luna in her sleep and bite her tail/butt/neck and make her scream. Nova will get jealous of Luna receiving attention and attack her. Sometimes it's play, but most of the time it's not. It really bothers me to see Luna bullied like this, especially because when Nova is not in the room, I see a different personality from her. I'm also finding that watchig this happen everyday is making me just not like Nova as much. I just really pity Luna. Is there anything I can do to curb their behavior? I have broken up some of their spats, but I don't think that's going to curb it.

Also, Nova will also do something to me. She pokes me with her nose and then she'll bite. Sometimes hard. I've been calling them 'love bites' but I'm beganing to wonder if it's also part of her dominant behavior.

Any advise on this would be much appreciated!

Sometimes cats playing to humans can seem severe. Are they drawing blood ? They very well could just be playing as well as, establishing order. Are they spayed ?

Originally Posted by Pami

Sometimes cats playing to humans can seem severe. Are they drawing blood ? They very well could just be playing as well as, establishing order. Are they spayed ?

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"They were littermates and they're both spayed. They're 4 months old."


I am not certain about it being play if one is sleeping and the other runs up and bites it. (I'm also not sure of what to remedy this with, if anything). Has the biting started very recently or was she always like that?

Has the biting started very recently or was she always like that?


I guess I could say that it's gotten worse recently. A week and a half ago they were moved into a new environment- our house. I'm not sure what that would have to do with it.

Have you tried the usual slow introduction things?

A feliway plugin is also a good idea (kitty happy phermone - we can't smell it).

Originally Posted by LunaLou

A week and a half ago they were moved into a new environment- our house. I'm not sure what that would have to do with it.

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That could have everything to do with it!

Sounds like Nova is re-establishing her dominance all over again in a new territory.
I'm not at all sure how you'd stop the behavior, but it could benefit greatly by a few feliway plugins.
And hopefully it'll at least curb enough to keep poor Luna from becoming the pariah.

Does anyone know about how much one of the Feliway plugs typicaly cost?

I went to a pet store today and they had one (I think it was a plug!) that was $45!

Unfortunately the Feliway plug-ins are expensive. I started using one for what I thought was a chronic health problem and it turned out to be stress. In the course of 18 monthes I had spent an extra $2,500.00 on vet bills so for me they are a bargain. For this problem though you should only have to use it until they re-establish the pecking order in their new environment. I guess they have varying degrees of effect on different cats. I know it really worked for my little cat that had problems with stress.

I agree about the new environment.

I only have one cat, but we recently rearranged the livingroom and added a piece of furniture, and she slinked around the house for a week or so before returning to normal. (not a full move, but definately enough of a change to make her feel uncomfortable). Feliway and time should help.

Originally Posted by LunaLou

Has the biting started very recently or was she always like that?


I guess I could say that it's gotten worse recently. A week and a half ago they were moved into a new environment- our house. I'm not sure what that would have to do with it.

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I agree with the feliaway. That should help tremendously. Yes, mine have always done that, its not something new they have developed. I hope you get everything settled soon for your babies. Im sure its the new surroundings.