This is my first post on this board and was referred to this forum on a dog forum I belong to. I know how quirky this is going to sound so will just lay it out...
First let me give you a background. Our first pet was Pepper, a cat who is now probably 6 years old. Leiloo our lab is now almost 3, turns 3 in January. I fostered 5 kittens and kept 2, Angel and Bandit (the runts of the litter) who are now over a year old. They have all been the best of pals and never had any problems.
Last weekend, my lab - Leiloo - was playing with my cousin's boyfriend and started to act all nutty. She went running into the room and apparently terrified the cats. I can understand they were really scared and things should not have gotten that out of control. I was downtairs sweeping while my boyfriend mopped (he is very well trained ). Apparently Bandit attacked Leiloo and the other two joined in. I should probably mention that Leiloo is the sweetest thing I have ever met on 4 legs. That and she is also very submissive and timid. My boyfriend and I ran upstairs when Leiloo let out this God-awful yell. We found her on the floor scared out of her wits. Her ear was pretty torn up and she ran downstairs trying to get away and sprained her leg in the process.
Two days ago, Leiloo, Bandit, and Angel were all in my room sleeping quite peacefully while I toyed around in the computer. I went downstairs to get a drink of water when again I heard this awful scream from Leiloo. By the time I got to my room, Leiloo again was on her back while Bandit attacked her. This time Leiloo did nothing to instigate anything. She has been very lazy lately due to her leg and was just sleeping. Angel was smacking her while Pepper paced back and forth on the floor hissing. When I got Bandit off of her, she ran downstairs only to have the cats follow her AND Bandit again attack her.
Yesterday morning, I finally convinced Leiloo it was okay to go downstairs and as soon as she got there, Bandit began stalking her!
The cats have always been put away in a different room when I am away because I never wanted to have any of them have an opportunity to fight. I don't think it is fair for these cats to always be in a room or for Leiloo to always be in a room. I just want to go back to the way things were
Bandit went to the vet today because I was afraid he might be ill due to the sudden change in behavior. Someone on another thread suggested maybe Leiloo could be sick because he is only attacking her. Someone else suggested it might be dominance issues.
I don't know. I'm at my wits end. Leiloo is seriously terrified to walk around the house and looks every so carefully in each corner to make sure none of the cats are around. It's frustrating because it was always Leiloo and Bandit that would play with one another and sleep cuddled next to each other. They were the perfect pair.
I really hope someone can shed light on this issue.I am so sorry this is so long! Thank you all in advance for any suggestions you could give me.
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