Need help with aggressive behavior in Decker

[jazzcat]

Since Decker and Moxie have gotten back from the vet Decker has started showing some different and aggressive behavior. I'm guessing it has started now because he is finally feeling better.

He is very protective and aggressive over food now. He growls, swats and bites at Moxie if she gets too close and when he finishes his food he chases her off to eat hers. This has just become a problem since I'm feeding them prescription food at set times of the day and they no longer have food out around the clock but I have to do this to get their diarrhea under control. I do feed them apart in different bowls but he still gobbles his first and goes for hers. I know I can just keep them apart but I need to stop this behavior now because I'm concerned about how he will be when he is out with my other 5 cats.

The other major problem is his reaction to some toys. Last night I gave them a new toy which had natural feathers in it. He went crazy and started dragging it around the room to kill and hide and if Moxie got too close he growled and almost screamed and attacked her. He lashed out at us so badly that we had to scruff him to get it away and put it up. It was just a feather wand with some undyed feathers, no catnip. We experimented with dyed feather toys and he did not have that reaction but as soon as we gave him a natural undyed feather he acted that same wild way again. I know the solution is to never give him or have out any natural feather toys but I'm worried about what else will set him off, especially when he gets bigger.

He is also showing some big time temper. He gets overstimulated and mad when playing and has a hard time calming down. He reminds me so much of how Ripley was as a kitten and that scares me very much. I can't handle that again, especially with 5 other cats he may harm.

Anyone been through this with a kitten, especially a former feral one? Any suggestion on how to help him calm down and get over these behaviors?

[kimlovescats]

I've seen many kittens behave this way. It's hard to really assess it from this post, but it sounds fairly normal to me. He is just learning to hunt for food and prey. There is usually one more dominant kitty in the litter. It sounds like the natural feather may smell more like a real bird than the dyed ones. I wouldn't be overly concerned, but just watch him as he gets a bit older. It might be a good idea to continue to scruff him and lightly shake him while telling him "no". This will help teach him that YOU are top cat! Try not to get too worried, my little Tiger still really growls and smacks his paw across the plate of food. He mostly only does it if it is canned food and "extra yummy"!

[jazzcat]

I'm just concerned because he was only growling and swatting before but now it is also biting and attacking Moxie over the food. I can tell she is frightened by him, heck me too because I see so much of Ripley in him and he violently attacked me so many times over the years. I do not want to go through that again.

It's not just me though, Richard is very concerned too. Probably because he knows I can't deal with or handle an aggressive cat well. My biggest fear is that he will hurt one of my others, especially little Scout who couldn't win in a fight with her shadow.

[kimlovescats]

I can certainly understand your concerns! Just try what I said and see how it goes. I wish I had better advice for you!

[jazzcat]

I'll try it Kim, thanks. I have never learned how to scruff, Richard has been the one to do it when needed. Guess I better learn.

I wish Decker would grow up to be a smaller cat but he's already a lot bigger than Moxie and I've seen his Dad who is huge and he looks just like him so he's probably going to be a very big boy. Can you tell I have some fear issues myself? That episode with the feathers really freaked me out and I'm easily overwhelmed.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Lori, I'm sorry to hear that Decker has become more aggressive. Like Kim said, you need to make sure he knows that you're top cat and you can't let him know that you're scared of him.

My Starr used to be very aggressive with his food when he was younger. He'd swat and growl if any of the others got too close to his food and he'd also try to eat his siblings food. I just watched him and kept telling him no and I made sure that he didn't steal any of his siblings food unless I gave it to him. He's become much better now and sometimes he doesn't even finish his own food.

Hopefully Decker will learn that this isn't acceptable behavior and will grow out of it. I'm also thankful that Starr is a very petite boy. Pearl is larger than him now and I think that Ziggy will also outgrow him soon. This makes him less of a threat to them. Good luck.

[catcrazylady]

I'm sorry to hear your having problems Lori but I really think he will be fine. It's amazing how much difference there is when a kitten is left feral for even a few days more than another. They have to learn fast outside and he learned from momma what it takes to survive.
It sounds like he is learning to be dominant and doing what comes natural to him. He will settle down when the food is plentiful and always available. I promise you that your adults will put him in his place and it will work out. I know how scared you are that he may be like Ripley but I don't think that will happen. It's impossible to predict his future personality but I would be surprised if he stayed aggressive. Don't give up on him yet and make sure you let him know you are boss. I predict a future love bug.