Emma and Muffin at war

for several weeks now, Emma has "adopted" Patches and Charlie,
she looks out for them! so whenever Muffin goes after one of them, there is Emma right behind her! that's if she doesn't cut her off from even being able to go after them in the first place. I keep them separate during the night, or when I leave the house and I watch during the day, keeping them near me. but this morning, for some reason, Muffin went after them first thing, before I could even feed them, there was Patches running for his life it looked like, then Muffin on his heels and Emma right on hers! then Louise looking scared, like hey whats going on? Louise will also protect them, but when it comes down to her and Muffin , she does a little cry sound and runs off.
Emma is not one to mess with, she watches out for her little brothers! she will sit or lay down between Muffin and wherever the kittens are, so she can watch them.
yesterday I found some of Charlie's fur caught in Muffins claw:mad: I don't know what to do with her. she is so sweet all other times.

Sounds like my mini war that goes on each day. Miley, my female Aby, hates Gabe. He is a sport about it, but every chance Miley gets, she keeps Gabe in his PLACE. He lets her have it every now and then.

Here's what I do. Nothing, except make sure all the claws are short. They really don't get the pet thing, they just care about the pecking order in the house. Miley thinks she should be higher in order than Gabe. She is not, all things considered, and she doesn't like it. There is much to be said about awful female cats. Awful, meaning, stubborn, territorial, mean spirited. It is quite common.

My vet told me that he would take a male cat over a female any day. I never really found this to be true until getting Miley and Graemer and Gabe.

I would clip their nails and let them work it out.

I keep their claws short. I can't let them work it out or Muffin would hurt them.

Noah is our bully at home. He attacks Basil and Noel whenever he feels like it. At first we separated Noah and Basil, yelling at Noah...which led to him now being annoyed w/ Basil all the time now. Now we let them attack until we hear a cry and then separate them...I think it's something that they need to do...

I wouldn't know what to do if on of the cats got hurt. I guess separate them.

Have you tried spraying water at Muffin when she acts like that?

Well, my experience is that cats will work it out one way or the other. Sometimes it isn't pretty and you must intervene but when you are not there, they all get the picture on their terms. If the younger ones need to respect the older cat more, then so be it. I have tried to modify my cats somewhat, but in the end, it is a waste of my time. They have to work out the top banana thing on their own.

Maybe you should reward Muffin for good behavior....when she is nice to the other cats...... not that you don't already do that.

Just remember, cats are NOT humans and they don't think the way we do.

;) :eek: :rolleyes: :eek:

uh oh, that's terrible, I hope it get's better.

I have a problem like that with Sasha (my roommates cat) and Corkscrew. And sadly poor sasha is declawed (she was like that when my roommate got her) so she can't defend herself. But I've learned there really isn't much I can do. Corkscrew is great with Tibby and was great with Zasper but he and Sasha don't get along. I think they both want to own the house. This is what everytime the two of them get near each other. http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...4/fd4319a8.jpg

I'm so sorry to hear about Muffin's behavior. I also think that you need to let them work is out themselves unless you see that she is really hurting Patches or Charlie. Storm is the alpha cat in my house and he can be a big bully at times towards Sunny and Pepper. I only intervene when I have to. Sunny and Pepper have learned to back away from him and to let him eat, drink, or pick his lounging spot first. Good luck. :)

well, when they are older, and can defend themselves, then I will let them work it out. Untill then, I have to watch. I don't yell or run over there, I just call Muffin or pick her up and she stops. there were times tho that she would not stop, but she is better, now that Emma is watching, LOL

ok this is weird, just as I was typing this, Charlie and Patches were wrestling, and in comes Muffin, well as soon as they see her, they stop, and both run under the chair, and she prances around the room, then leaves, seems she just wanted to let them know who is boss! lucky for her Emma wasn't around, Emma is big mama cat!:D

it's just interesting to watch all these cats as they interact.

I'm wondering what will happen when they get to that age, around 10 months, thats when the trouble started between Cookie and Muffin last year...

and, yes I did try the water thing, it helped at the time, but she still would do it again later. stubborn cat. not a monster ALL the time, but she has her moments.:)

I just caught Graemer and Gabe going at it on the porch. I let them go for it until I couldn't take it anymore. Gabe yells like he is being murdered, when in fact, he has so much fur, nothing could penetrate. They don't use claws, they use their mouths! At some point I said something, like, that's enough guys, and Graemer looked up (all tangled in Gabe's white fur) and the look on his face said it all. He had that "who, me?" look, stopped for a split second and then continued. They then took it into the house, from the porch and finally stopped after a few minutes. These same two cats clean each other. I think it is their way of communicating - and reminding each other who really runs the joint.

I too would protect the little ones, but it will work out, I promise. Unless one is bloodied, I wouldn't worry about it. They will learn who is king of the hill soon enough! That's their world.....or not.....some households don't have two wannabe alpha cats.....

Are we having fun yet?



:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

(this is toughcookie)

oh the fun of having cats. just this morning, watching them is so interesting! its really funny.

last year when Cookie turned 10 months old and her and Muffin got into it, I let it go til it was getting bad, then I broke it up. there was NO sign of either giving up! I was so shocked to see that they werent playing!

anyway about the kittens, I do have to watch them, but when they get bigger, then that's different. will see what happens.

the weird part, Emma protects them, but at times it's like she is going after them too, but not as mean. its like she is trying to tell them something. anyone have any ideas? she will bat at them sometimes and chase them, I don't what the deal is...
its going to be interesting to see what happens when these 2 kittens grow up, when they hit that 10 month or so age, to see how they react to eachother and to Emma and Louise, Muffin.

when Cookie got to be 10 months the vet said it was textbook, and that all cats, littermates, or mother/child, any combination would have problems around that time. welll Louise and Emma never did. they did seem to change toward Muffin around then...
I can only remember Emma hissing at Louise one time...over who got to sleep on a chair!

anyone else with experience in this subject?

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Originally posted by sasvermont
I just caught Graemer and Gabe going at it on the porch. I let them go for it until I couldn't take it anymore. Gabe yells like he is being murdered, when in fact, he has so much fur, nothing could penetrate. They don't use claws, they use their mouths! At some point I said something, like, that's enough guys, and Graemer looked up (all tangled in Gabe's white fur) and the look on his face said it all. He had that "who, me?" look, stopped for a split second and then continued. They then took it into the house, from the porch and finally stopped after a few minutes.

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:D :D I know what you mean Sas. Tubby is the one that scream bloody murder when it's Peanut that usually ends up with the short end of the stick. Although each time I break it up it's a question as to whose fur will be left behind, and Tubby has had scratches on his head, so maybe Peanut holds her own too. That's so funny how Graemer looked up with the "who me" look, then went right back at it. :D It's like he knew he was doing wrong, but still had to prove his point to Gabe. :D

And tough cookie, the only experience I have is with Tubby & Peanut as described above, and Tubby as been alpha-cat since day one, but I agree that it will be interesting once Charlie & Patches get a little older. Can't wait to hear how it all goes. :) And as for Emma protecting the two little ones and then occassionally going after them, I think it's her way of letting them know whose boss. Even though she protects them she still wants them to know that they shouldn't mess with her. I think she probably knows they will be growing up and she wants to make her dominance well in advance so they don't get any ideas when they get older. Should be interesting.....:) :rolleyes: :)

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I think she probably knows they will be growing up and she wants to make her dominance well in advance so they don't get any ideas when they get older.

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thats kind of what I have been thinking....well time will tell, I will let you know in 5 months or so, LOL

I suppose you know already if they are simply playing, right? My two twins used to go at it, but it was silent, so I didn't really think it meant anything.

Than, it just stopped and the boy- Dakky took over with the largest male I have, Tenny. At one point, there was a 10 pound difference in weight. I would watch them, only because I was so afraid that the weight difference could get ugly.

Now, these two- nearly every single day, go at it in the morning, outside the bathroom. Eventually, Tenny runs away, like the big fat baby he really is.

The only thing that seems hostile is Tex when he goes for Georgia. I truly don't understand it, since they were the first and second cats, and truly loved on one another for so long. I think it is what contributes to Georgia hiding most of the time.

I shouldn't have titled the thread, Emma and Muffin at war, it's not really war, I mean Emma harasses Muffin, and Muffin runs to be away from Emma, but that started before the kittens were here, and it is in a playful way, so I don't know, I think she just wants Muffin to leave them alone.

shortly after Emma and Louise got here, Muffin would pick on Louise, and the first time she did this, Emma was younger then, she went sneaking out of the room,. it was soooo funny, because it was like she was trying to go real quiet, on her tip toes, thats what it looked like!! but Muffin saw her and went after her then!

I've also seen different cat behavior when I'm in the room vs. when they think I'm not looking.

Sid and Joxer are my two classic examples. Joxer is the submissive one, he'll approach Sid, lower his head, and act all subservient, at which point Sid baps Joxer on the head and hisses at him with a look of disgust.

Later, if they think I'm not looking, I can find them playing with each other, like they're best friends. I can't let Sid know that I'm looking though, or he gets self-conscience and the game is over.

They're so funny:D :D :D

And that's just one set of dynamics! I've noticed that the cat dynamics seem to go in pairs, so I have the following:

Sid & Jan
Sid & Joxer
Sid & Quincy
Jan & Joxer
Jan & Quincy
Joxer & Quincy

I could write an essay on each pairing, because the dynamics of each are unique.

I love my kitties!:D

that is so funny that they play when they think you aren't looking!

tonight, I saw Emma and Muffin run into the room, and Emma was cowering in the corner, and Muffin was staring at her! I thought ok maybe I am wrong and watched for a few minutes. yep, sure enough, Emma was doing that squinty eyed thing, you know, the blinking like scared? and Muffin batted at her! I was so surprised, because as most of you probably know from my recent posts, Emma has been like the big cat around here. what could have brought this on?? I wish I could have seen what happend, Emma must have really ticked off Muffin...well I am glad Muffin is not scared of her but I don't want Emma to be either...:eek: :eek:

has anyone ever seen a reverse of behavior like this? any ideas? :confused: :confused:

well now I am confused again! tonight Emma ran up to Muffin and really batted her one on the head! she thought Muffin was after Patches! and Muffin didn't react, just kept going where she was going...anyone else ever have cats act this way?:confused:

Behaving unexpectedly? Ignoring provocation (occasionally)? Look out for one another? Well, the first two, yes. Sounds like the cats are maturing into (mysterious) cats. I want to tell you to take two aspirin and expect them to change again by morning. ;) :D They are delightful creatures, but not the most predictable things around.

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Originally posted by toughCookie
has anyone ever seen a reverse of behavior like this? any ideas? :confused: :confused:

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ALL THE TIME. That's how I know that they don't really hate each other and are just playing. It can be just too funny sometimes. I've resigned myself to the fact that there are certain cat rules that only other cats understand, and it's not my place to tell them how to behave to each other (as long as no one is actually hurt).

I just sit back and enjoy the show.

You know, there is never a dull moment around the house if you have a multiple cat household. Even a single cat household!

My three change off hitting, hissing and swatting at each other. Sometimes it is Gabe doing the screaming and other times its Miley....seldom Graemer....but then sometimes Miley will bite the hell out of Graemer. Go figure. Its like having a house full of teenagers. The kitten stuff is over, now its the serious stuff. I have yet to see any blood. Its their form of entertainment/placement within the household/playing/fighting/you name it kind of behavior!

Sit back and enjoy it! and remember.... Cats don't play "Fair"....
they just play.:rolleyes:

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Originally posted by sasvermont
...remember.... Cats don't play "Fair".... they just play...

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SAS: I LOVE that quote. Great one! Thanks! I'll repeat it as a mantra next time the kids declare WWIII around here. :D :cool:

thanks, so I can just expect the unexpected then right? ooookk
Muffin is 2 1/2 years old, Emma and Louise are 1 year old and Charlie is 5 months, Patches is 4 1/2 months old. interesting, all ages. Muffin still acts like a kitten at times. youre right, never a dull moment around here! years from now there won't be such a difference in ages, like when they are 7, 5, and 4... or will there?

My hats off to you multi-cat servants out there! Knowing Ritzy's mood swings as an only cat, I can only imagine the fur-flying events if we lost our senses and brought another beastie into the mix.

She gets perturbed when the neighbor cat comes over and sits too close to the patio door!