Big cat is beating up all the other cats..

[chizzy22]

.. and weeing all over them.. I'm getting a few complaints that my big cat (a Tom) is aggressive towards all the other cats on the block and has started to wee on them (and their owners, if they are trying to get him off their cat) He doesn't like my little cat either but just growls and hisses at her if they meet. I've heard about "Feliway" Does anyone think it could help calm him? Or could anyone suggest anything that I could try? Many thanks.

[Rosetta]

How old is he and has he been neutered because that would be my first thought?

[LoftyLottie]

I agree with Rosetta. Neutering was my first thought too.

[~Wingnut~]

It was mine too :o)
He certainly sounds one hell of an angry cat!

[chizzy22]

I think he is about 8 years old. Definitely neutered and up to date with everything at the Vets. He's lived with me for 12 months, having been a local stray. I fitted a cat flap for him which he uses no problem. I've had the kitten 6 months who tries to play with him but just gets abuse! Yes Wingnut! He's an angry cat! Probably because he was treated badly in the past? I don't know why he's suddenly decided to attack the other cats though. And the weeing thing is just bizarre. Has anyone tried or heard of "Feliway" ?

[Rosetta]

I am afraid I'd not heard of the product so I can't comment on its usage, sorry.

I would personally be inclined to discuss the situation with the vet in case there is an underlying condition that is making him more aggressive. It certainly sounds like this is a recent change,

[chizzy22]

Thanks Rosetta. He had a trip to the Vets about 5 weeks ago for Conjunctivitis and I had him micro-chipped at the same time. He didn't seem stressed out at all... Will go for a chat at the Vets on Saturday.

[andy-hughes]

He is exhibiting an extreme version of the 'lking cat' syndrome, which is perfectly natural in cat hierarchy, but does seem a little extreme in this case.

Cats are a hierarchical bunch - one cat will emerge as the local 'top cat' and keep the others in line, usually just by the occasional spit and cuff. This will apply at home as well - your kitten will learn who is boss, and rthey will settle down eventually, and only spar occasionally. Once your kitten grows, he may fancy his chances, and they will sort it out between them - all normal.

The notion of actually weeing on other cats is taking his stamp of authority much further than normal, and i would advise a chat with your vet in case something physical has made him behave this way.

It's hard on your neighbours, because you can't train him out of natural behaviour - to him at least - hope you get to the bottom of it.

[chizzy22]

Andy - Thank you so much for your answer! You have expained such a lot. I won't worry as much now, and will discuss things with the Vet on Saturday.

[bensmum]

Hi chizzy. I have looked after a couple of cats whose owners used Feliway. They felt that it did help to calm the cat but I haven't used it for my cats so I can't really say. I agree that you should talk to the vet - there are cat behaviour specialists and your vet may be able to suggest someone

[Schutzengel]

Hi Chizzy,
Feliway is good, but it's fairly expensive, around �21. It's in a small pray bottle, but it lasts ages. You can use it to spray, around chair and table legs, and on door jambs etc, it is also safe to use on fabric suites. It needs to be sprayed at about the height of the cats head, so they can smell it as they walk past. It does have a calming effect. I got some from the vet for my 3 cats, when it was bonfire night, as 2 of them are real scaredy cats when it comes to fireworks. It is also very good for spraying into the four corners of a cat basket, a couple of minutes before you pop the cat in to go to the vets, and it does seem to reduce the stress. Hope things calm down for you.

[chizzy22]

Thank you both bensmum and Schutzengel. I have decided to give the Feliway a go. I was thinking of buying the plug in until I read about the spray Schutzengel - What a good idea to spray the cat carrier before a trip to the Vets! Thanks!

[mandimoo]

the vet recommended feliway to us when we were (unsucessfully), trying to introduce two approx 12 year old cats to each other.... unfortunately one of them had to be put down not long after so we never got to try it, but we WOULD have tried it cos we were desperate

[sue11]

Hi Chizzy22, I suspect that the kitten has probably played a part in this aggressive behaviour? Your tom cat has been top cat in the house for the first part of his life in his new home, now suddenly he has to deal with a new intruder. It may be that he is stressed out trying too assert himself in the home and is extending it to the neighberhood as well? Having been a stray, I expect he may have had a tough life and had to defend himself and his patch and he is just reverting to his earlier behaviour? All guesswork on my part and I have no suggestion for how to help with the behaviour, but hope that my suggestions may give you some other ideas as to what may lay behind it.
Best of luck Sue.

[toby99]

I took in a stray and he too beat up all the other cats in the area and I had lots of complaints, so I know how you are feeling. I bought Feliway two months ago and it had an immediate affect. Both my cats were happier & more relaxed. He was definately less aggressive and more friendly. A friend of mine bought it too as her cat sprays all over the house and he stopped spraying immediately. I placed another order last night as there was a dramatic change in my cat when it ran out. Also my friends cat started spraying again when hers ran out. It is definately worth a try as they usually act like this when they are stressed.

[toby99]

Reading your earlier post - We have the plug in as it is a constant vapor. The sprays are apparently better for cat boxes when going to the Vet or for one off incidents of stressi.e. Bomfire night ect. You can get the plug in and refil for �14 and refils for �12.