Hi all,

I have a slight issue at the moment with my three cats. Muffin my female who is almost five has suddenly started to become aggressive towards my two boy cats who are 18 mths. She growls whenever she sees them, hisses, attacks one of them then runs away.

My two boys do nothing to provoke her but it just seems as if their presence is upsetting to her. All 3 are neutered and have lived together fairly contentedly for over a year now.

She was the same when we brought Cookie and Truffle home but all that settled down and we thought everything was ok. The last few nights we've had to seperate them as they fight.

I really don't know what is causing it. Any ideas? I've heard that Feliway may reduce her stress levels but I'm worried as it is such a sudden change in her.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as one of my boys is completely traumatised by it and hides whenever he sees her

Can only be a guess but she is a mature lady and they are just becoming mature which could be causing the tension. TBH we always kept several ladies to each boy and the boys knew their place. Can't offer advice myself but hopefully someone else will be along to assist you. Hope you can get it sorted as it must be distressing to see them not getting on

She is teaching them to be good boys.

Personally I'd get her checked at the vets, have just written similar in another thread, but a non-aggressive animal that suddenly gets nasty is usually in pain of some sorts.

sorry op just realised my last post was a little short and sharp! don't mean to worry you or sound mean! I'm sure she's fine but might be worth checking her out.

If you are worried about a sudden change in behaviour, you should get her checked by a vet. there may be an underlying medical problem of which you are unaware.

Or, As someone else said, she may just be asserting her authority as the two boys reach maturity . That should settle down when she is sure they know who is boss!

Would still get her checked tho'

Are they indoor cats, or do they go outside?

I agree the change in behaviour may be connected to their age, she will no longer view them as kittens. I would not assume it will resolve without intervention, because it they have already learned to be afraid of her, and their scared submissive behaviour will mean she increasingly sees them as victims and so will increasingly attack - vicious circle. Assuming she is given a clean bill of health you might want to ask your vet for a referral to a behaviourist.

training them to become scouts, I'd imagine

If mine start scrapping I can stop it with a sharp noise such as a clap with an air hole between the palms. Get her checked out but see if nipping it in the bud will help. A loud sharp noise stops them, can't remember where I read it now but it works.

Thanks for all the replies.

She's always been quite grumpy with them - hissing and giving them the odd smack or two here and there. I think you're all right though, my boy Cookie seems to be standing up to her more now and I don't think she likes it.

She's currently sitting eating her dinner by me with the two boys right near her so I don't think she's nearly as bothered as she lets on.

I have had her checked out and the vet seems to think it's an age thing and that it will settle down. He was the one who suggested Feliway too just to calm her a bit. She seems more aggressive about territory at the moment. For instance this morning Cookie dared to go near her favourite cupboard and things kicked off.

It may be early days but I think she's calming down a bit - Fingers Crossed!!

Thanks for all the advice, I've really taken it all on board, even though I haven't posted much it really is appreciated

I find keeping a water pistol fully loaded and ready can help breaking up bad behaviour!!!!

Also, the moment one of my cats starts hissing etc, just saying 'noooooooooo' loudy, firmly, and slowly is enough for them to stop