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Cat Fighting - 9/10/2017 3:23:55 AM

peppermint

Posts: 5169
Joined: 10/18/2005
From: Montana
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No, not what you were thinking. I'm talking about real cats.

Last year we got 2 female kittens. They are fixed, indoor/outdoor cats now. One disappeared for a month this spring. We figured the fox had gotten her. Since there was a litter of kittens across the street we figured we'd pick out one. Gary picked out a male, Buddy. Unlike most kittens this one was not shy. He never hid. He's always near us. The problem is that he became territorial almost immediately, probably because he wasn't allowed out. He's so so with Roxy now. She comes in every day to eat. He'd prefer that she wasn't in the house but the fights are not bad. She can take naps in the house. Buddy isn't obsessed with fighting Roxy. Of course, after we had him for a couple week Shyla came home. He does NOT like Shyla at all. Doesn't want her to eat at the food dish. Won't let her sleep in the house. Basically does nothing but growl the whole time she is in. He chases her from one end of the house to the other. The yowling and growling is loud.

The girls are spayed and Buddy is neutered. I have taken to using a spray bottle the last couple days to keep him separated from the others. It doesn't last long before he's after Shyly again.

Not sure if this is a factor, but I suspect buddy has a cat form of ADHD. He has many of the symptoms. He has more energy that any cat I have ever seen. He plays a lot of the day and seldom sleeps. He's loving one moment. Then it's as if a switch turns on and he becomes a manic. He runs and attacks everything in sight. For some reason he senses that Gary is weak so stays pretty nice with him. I often find my feet and ankles being scratched and bit. Now that he's older when he gets in one of his moods I just put him outside to burn it off. We even considered finding another home for him, however, whenever he's acting like a normal kitten he is the nicest and most personable of cats. We actually like him most of the time. Buddy loves to cuddle with Gary. Gary needs that relaxing with the kitten time. It's good for Gary.

I guess I want to ask if there is hope to ever have a calm household with all 3 cats inside. Winter is coming soon. The cats will want to be inside a good deal of the time, especially at night. I'm thinking I might need to set up a "time out" room for Buddy. Am open to some suggestions if anyone has something that might help.

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RE: Cat Fighting - 9/10/2017 4:18:18 AM

LadyPact

Posts: 32566
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I don't know if this will be good advice or not.

Have you ever seen a show called, "My Cat From Hell?" Basically, it's this guy who teaches cat owners how to deal with issues when they have problem cats.

One of the things that gets focused on a lot is the human's role in making sure the cat is getting the right kind of entertainment suited for the cat. If you are putting the cat out to 'burn off his energy,' he's probably not associating the thought the same way that you are. He needs indoor play time as well, and if that desire isn't being accommodated from the humans, Buddy is going to try to engage the other cat. If he burns off his energy *WITH* you, he won't pick on the other cat as much.

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RE: Cat Fighting - 9/10/2017 7:58:26 AM

peppermint

Posts: 5169
Joined: 10/18/2005
From: Montana
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That show is interesting. Have watched it a few times. Amazing how small things can be so important.

I did buy Buddy toys on strings so we could play together last week. Two minutes of play and he's bored and off looking for something else to get into. Also got him one of those plastic things that sits on the floor with a ball that rolls in a track. He's the same way with that, a couple minutes and he's off to the next thing. I do agree with you. We need to find something that burns some energy out of Buddy so he can relax. I just haven't found the right toy.

I may have to consider finding an animal behaviorist. Not sure there is one in cattle country where animals are usually looked upon as food. Will have to talk to the vet.

_____________________________

We are stardust, we are golden, and we got to get ourselves back to the garden.

Yes, I am crazy about feathered creatures. I have a dozen chickens, 3 ducks, 5 geese, and 2 parakeets.

Revise that number. Just got 14 new chicks and 5 turkeys.

(in reply to LadyPact)

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RE: Cat Fighting - 9/10/2017 8:21:40 AM

Kaliko

Posts: 3381
Joined: 9/25/2010
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I had two cats who grew up together. When one died, after a few months, I brought home a young cat from the shelter. My Siamese hated her. Growling, spitting, attacking, demon-like sounds coming from the gutter of this cat's soul. It went on for many months.

I did have to keep them separated when I wasn't home for awhile. I kept the new cat tucked away in a room that she was comfortable in. I can remember when I first started leaving them both out, I would creep in the door, so scared that the little cat was hurt. But it never happened. They still hated each other until the day the Siamese cat died. But they were eventually (after a couple of years) able to sleep in the same room with each other, eat next to each other. I think the Siamese may have even groomed the little one once or twice. But, it took a very, very long time. But yeah, separation was necessary at first, when they weren't being watched.

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