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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Help! Cat attacking other cat

32 replies

CinemaPantomime · 26/12/2021 23:10

I have 3 cats. All neutered.
First is a female aged 6 - she was a rescue who my DM adopted and I inherited 4 years ago when DM died. She can be very sweet but is a biter (to humans, without warning) so we have to be wary. She's goes outdoors.
Next we have 2 Burmese. A very large and docile boy, and a very small needy girl. They're indoor cats. We've had them for almost 3 years from kittens. We got the Burms because the rescue cat isn't the best pet for our children but we all do love her and I promised my DM she'd always have a home with us and she will. The Burms are the children's cats.
The trouble is that our Burmese girl (BG) is bullying the rescue cat (RC) horribly. RC isn't a fighter at all. She's never been fond of the 2 Burms but they rub along and will often all sleep in same area such as on our bed. The Burms try to play with RC but RC isn't interested.
After almost 3 years BG has discovered if she chases RC, RC will run. We intervene. This chasing has developed to BG attacking RC recently but we were unsure how malicious it was. We discovered RC had an injury a week ago and she's been to vet and had abscess drained and just finished antibiotics. When she was shaved vet found another old bite wound too. We thought both happened outside as there's a local bully cat but had a suspicion it could be BG.
We've kept RC and BG apart for last week except under supervision. All seemed fine but while I popped downstairs today I heard some charging around and rushed upstairs to find RC cowering in a corner scared witless with BG ready to attack again and clumps of fur around.
I'm now thinking BG is responsible for RC's injuries.
This is new behaviour.
I'm at a loss what to do. Clearly I can't leave BG and RC together at all without supervision but that's hard long term. Has anyone had similar and how did you fix it? We kept them apart for a week except under supervision but the second I wasn't there BG has attacked and cornered.
Any ideas please? Feeling upset for RC. BG only seems to do it if we're not in the room.
Any ideas welcome.

OP posts:

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 26/12/2021 23:14

Are there lots of high up shelves / cat trees they can escape to?

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 26/12/2021 23:23

Yes. They have 2 very large cat trees but RC has zero interest in those. She could climb on wardrobes but doesn't. She usually boxed into a corner by BG.

OP posts:

Retrievemysanity · 26/12/2021 23:31

After you’d kept them apart, did you reintroduce slowly? That might be worth a try. Otherwise, a bell on BG collar so RC knows she’s coming and it might alert you to any issues when you’re in the house, keep them in separate rooms when you go out maybe?

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 26/12/2021 23:36

Oh I like the bell idea. RC has a bell (to warn birds) but the Burms haven't had collars.
Yes they've not seen much of each other. 3 days no contact. Then short periods with me there. All seemed calm and I got complacent and BG attacked RC immediately I wasn't in same room. They're separated again now.

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/12/2021 09:59

I don’t think you can fix this, rc is being physically attacked in her own home which we wouldn’t put up with ourselves. Imagine you walk into a room and someone with a history of hitting you and biting you attacks you again.

You can try calming plug ins but honestly rehoming her might be the best thing to do.

thatsallineed · 27/12/2021 10:12

Sounds like cabin fever to me, with the younger two.

Why are they all indoor cats?

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 27/12/2021 11:24

The 2 Burms are indoor cats because of the breed. They're super friendly and would just get into anyone's car or van uninvited. Apparently they have zero road sense. If anyone visits the house they're on them straightaway. Our two aren't overly bright - which isn't typical of the breed. The vet said he'd strongly recommend keeping them as indoor cats at their first appointment.
They have many toys and lots of attention.
I was worried there might not be an answer so rehoming crossed my mind but RC is a tricky cat aged 6 so I don't think her future would be hopeful - I also made a promise to my late DM.
I have been looking at feliway and will buy one. It's just such a shame after 3 years of no issues.

OP posts:

sunshinesupermum · 27/12/2021 11:34

I wouldn't rehome RC. She's not instigating the fighting. Your Burmese OTOH should be rehomed where there are no other cats. Sorry, 😢

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 27/12/2021 11:38

Yes that was my thought. Not sure how I'd tell the DC, and desperately looking for another answer.

OP posts:

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 27/12/2021 11:40

I suspect it's jealousy but I'm not sure. The Burms have so much attention - they always have to be in a room with the DC and love being carried everywhere or cuddling up to the DC.

OP posts:

bellissimiaow · 27/12/2021 11:43

I've got 4 cats and the two boys Ronnie and Reggie don't get on too well. I'd previously dismissed the Feliway plugins as a load of rubbish (for a previous cat) but since they brought out a new formula I decided to give it a try for the boys.

It makes a massive difference, to the point where I can tell now when they've run out. As soon as I plug them in Ronnie (the instigator) chills right out and spends the rest of the day lazing about on the top of his cat tree instead of stalking poor Reggie.

I don't know what's in them but they work a treat for ours, everyone suddenly gets along famously and start opening doors for each other going 'after you, no please after you'

They aren't cheap but get them off Amazon (cheaper than Pets at Home etc)

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 27/12/2021 11:46

Thank you - I've previously dismissed the plug ins and binned them but was a few years ago. I'm happy to try everything whilst keeping RC safe so I'll get some.

OP posts:

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/12/2021 11:48

There’s pet behaviourists too.

Don’t think too much about promises made, think about the cat who’s being attacked and is scared.

Megmargs · 27/12/2021 11:49

@bellissimiaow

I don't know what's in them but they work a treat for ours, everyone suddenly gets along famously and start opening doors for each other going 'after you, no please after you'

They aren't cheap but get them off Amazon (cheaper than Pets at Home etc)

Sorry to jump on the thread OP but when did they bring out the new formula? Just wondering if it was before or after I tried the plug in which didn’t work with mine.

Beamur · 27/12/2021 11:50

I have a similar situation, an older cat and 2 younger Orientals. All girls too which I really didn't want but it is what it is.
The Orientals are sisters and well bonded but do scrap a bit with each other. Cabin fever is a good observation, they're definitely more chilled in the spring and summer when they hang out in the garden more. None of mine are indoor cats. But one of my younger cats has a very spiky relationship with my older cat. It stops short of fighting, oddly they sleep in the same room a lot of the time so are reasonably tolerant of each other. I have Feliway plugs in and they do help. Plus lots of fuss/treats when around each other. They have lots of raised places to sleep, feed and hide.
It's curious that yours were fine and now aren't. Has anything changed in the house to alter their territories? Mine have definite areas which each cat has precedence in.

Beamur · 27/12/2021 11:51

My cats behaviour changes noticeably with the plug ins too..

AuntieJoyce · 27/12/2021 11:52

Sorry to disagree with the above poster but feliway made no difference at all to my two. Two female cats similar to you OP who don’t get on at all. Worth a try though

I keep mine separate and they tend to stand off more than fight. Your issue is more serious

If all fails there are rescues who will rehome direct from you to a good home which might be a solution for your poor RC it just takes a month or two. I got mine as an adult in these circumstances

bellissimiaow · 27/12/2021 11:52

The one I find really good is Feliway Optimum, not the Classic or Feliway friends. I've got two, I try to plug them nearest to where Ronnie sleeps as he's the one who always starts anything. I'm really surprised at how well it works on him, although it's obviously not for everyone.

It seems such a shame to have to rehome. Poor thing, I can't really add much else other than to try and keep them as separate as you can.

bellissimiaow · 27/12/2021 11:55

Not sure when the Optimum came out, think it was fairly recently though. I only heard about it earlier this year and after reading the reviews decided to give a Feliway another try.

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 27/12/2021 11:58

bellisimiaow do you mean feliway optimum? There's a classic too.
Oddly BG is terrified when either of the other cats has been to vets, even if she went too. She hisses and hides. No idea why as she's fine at vets herself but I assume it's an unknown smell when back at home. I never saw her do the original attacks but I have to assume it's her since I saw what happened yesterday.
Both other cats have been to vets lately and I wonder if that has spooked BG. My Burmese boy had 3 visits due to an unrelated issue as he was quite poorly so possibly that got her rattled as his last visit was 10 days ago.

OP posts:

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 27/12/2021 11:59

Have ordered 2 x optimum

OP posts:

CaptSkippy · 27/12/2021 12:03

@bellissimiaow

I don't know what's in them but they work a treat for ours, everyone suddenly gets along famously and start opening doors for each other going 'after you, no please after you'

They aren't cheap but get them off Amazon (cheaper than Pets at Home etc)

@bellissimiaow Can you please tell me which type of Feliway you use. One of my cats is very stress-prone and I get the feeling the plugin doesn't make much difference, but perhaps I am using the wrong one.

@CinemaPantomime Could you create single cat hiding spots lower to the floor? You said RC isn't interested in going up high, but having places to crawl into she can defend might help.
Furthermore, I do think it's worth getting more high perches for your BG. She could just be bored. If she has plenty of places to climb to, she might lose interest in chasing the RC.
You might also check with the vet to see if RC doesn't have any underlying conditions. Cats are often not very tolerant of sick housemates.

CaptSkippy · 27/12/2021 12:04

@bellissimiaow Nevermind. Cross-posted

Original poster

CinemaPantomime · 27/12/2021 12:09

I am starting to think the recent vet visits for Burm boy and RC might have spooked BG.
I can't be certain BG did the injuries that caused the abscess - we have a local bully cat (we think recently moved in) and RC has been reluctant to go outside recently. It's possible BG has picked up that RC is nervous and is being opportunistic. Or she may have caused the injury. It's just quite a change.

OP posts:

Branleuse · 27/12/2021 12:12

id maybe consider a catio type thing so they can go outside. I watched some of those "my cat from hell" episodes and it seemed like indoor cats can get really neurotic in a way that most outdoor cats dont seem to, which is understandable really, asdespite being bred to have certain traits, they are still animals that have evolved over god knows how long to be hunters and live outside. Any captive animal is going to be prone to behavioural issues

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