Big cat attacking little cat

[ThisNight]

I have 2 rescue cats, who have lived happily together for years. Recently the larger of the 2 has been leaping on the other one and biting her. I generally have been just putting him in the garden when he does it.

Is there anything I can do, or can anyone shed some light on why he may be behaving like this? I inherited the cats, so not very experienced.

Is he attacking her, or just playing? That's how mine played...

They'd sneak or run up behind the other one and leap on them, usually biting the back of their neck. If the attacked cat was up for it they'd wrestle for a bit, if she wasn't, she'd tell the attacking one to get stuffed, quite vocally and it's back off for a bit.

She never up for it! She's also a lot smaller and I'm worried he'll really hurt her. He also swipes her with his paw if she walks past. I did wonder if he is attention seeking, as it often happens when they are waiting for food, or she is getting more attention from me.

Do cats get jealous?

I don't know the answer. I adopted a mum and kitten, the kitten went missing fir 5 dats and came back injured. Since then the mum cat can be quite mean to her.

Have there been any changes in the home or routine recently?

Not jealous, territorial.

She's in "his" territory, and he's making sure she knows it.

Can you give him his own space? Separate beds, feeding areas etc..

I wouldn't put him out as that will weaken his hold onthe territory and he will fight for it even more. Be careful as the next step is marking behaviours like scratching and spraying.

This is why I'd never have more than one cat again..

I have been shutting him out of the bedroom at night as he kept waking me at 5am.