I have two cats, mother and son. Macey (queen) is 9 years old and her son Neo is 8 (tom). I don't have any other pets.

Over the last month or so, Neo has been bullying Macey more than usual. Its normal for them to have a little scrap now and again, but now its happening 4-5 times a night. Neo is going for Macey, she fights back but you can see its him going over to her and cat slapping her for no reason! He is really hurting her and she is starting to look down trodden, disheveled, basically very cheesed off as you can imagine.

I've tried separating them when he's in these moods, but when let back into the living area, he's straight over to her again. My voice falls on deaf ears with him so I'm a tad frustrated.

Cats aren't like dogs, you can't give them a gentle slap, you can't shout so the message gets understood unlike dogs.....,
So whats the best way to train him not to fight his mum cat so often and understand its wrong?
And what would the reason be for his recent behavior?
How do you make your cat understand that NO means NO?

Please advise

p.s - both cats have been neutered/spayed over 6 years ago.

You don't give dogs a 'gentle slap' and shouting at them does not make them understand!!

As for the cats. Do they both have separate food bowls, separate water, separate beds in different parts of the room/houseetc?

If not, that would be a starting point.

Another thing that helped when my girl was a bully to my boys (to the point we thought we may need to re-home) in addition to the above was catnip in the beds. You may wish to try Feliway as a more modern alternative.

I've never had dogs so wouldn't know too much about the discipline side of things , but I have seen owners raise their voices and the dogs have listened straight away - unlike the independent mog, they just stare right through you lol.

They have got separate bowls and one sleeps upstairs, the other down. The catnip idea is good. Perhaps it will give him some thing else to think about. Thank you StressMonkey

Hi
Not wishing to worry you, but it might be an idea to get Macy checked out by the vet.
I do know that if a cat is a bit poorly then other cats can be inclined to be aggressive towards it. Other cats can pick up the vibes of a sick cat long before we can.

Strawberry, I think you may be right.
I went home last night from work after typing this, and she didn't seem herself. She seemed very depressed and unusually clingy.
I have an appointment with the vets at 2.50pm today. I hope she's ok
I'll keep you posted.

Strawberry, you're advice is greatly appreciated. She's just come back from the vets and has an ucler growing between her toes on her back foot.
It could be a tumour so they've given her anti biotics and steroids and hope that it clears, if not they may have to lance it or remove the toe

If you hadn't of said that, I probably wouldn't of known until it got uncomfortable for her - then it could've been too late

Thank you again xxxx

Aww I am just pleased that I was able to help,

Keeping my fingers crossed for you that Macy will be okay, poor puss that sounds really painful

Please keep us posted
xx

Wow.. good pick up there strawberry. I have always had cats, and oddly I never thought of that.

Hope Macey gets better soon jolene.. I know what it's like having a sick kitty.. Xx
Last edited by Stroppy : 18-11-2008 at 21:54