Need help with aggressive behavior in Decker

[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.

[AbbyMom]

Can you tell I have some fear issues myself? That episode with the feathers really freaked me out and I'm easily overwhelmed.

I understand. I have one of those feather things on the end of a fishing-pole arrangement. Two fosters that I have had would go insane over it and I don't mean in a cute way, but in a scary one. They took it way too seriously and were aggressive toward anyone nearby--cats or humans.

My two cats catch real mice and bring them to me without nearly as much hysteria.

So, once I see that behavior, the toy will not come out again. They were OK without that toy.

I think Krazyaboutkatz is right and he'll outgrow the food issues.

Good luck to you.

[Freedom]

I suggest two things.

Water squirt bottle. Since you are worried, and since you don't know how to scruff (I'm not even sure what it IS, let alone how to do it!), the water bottle should be handy to dissuade him the minute he shows signs of moving to her food dish.

Neuter him as soon as he is old enough. That may help him calm down a little bit.

Crystal started out fine, grew into a little monster who scarfed down her food and then moved in on all the other dishes, growled and hissed and grabbed food and ran to under the bed with it. I was going nuts with her and food. She arrived here as a 2 pound nothing and within 6 months was terrorizing the other cats! I diligently used the water bottle and some how 4 months later she was back to her prior sweet self. During that time she also got spayed. What did it? I haven't a clue. But I kept making it clear that this was NOT acceptable behavior. Lord knows, the other cats were too frightened by her to reprimand her themselves. Geesh! Calicos rule, so I've heard.

[jenluckenbach]

He is fighting for survival, remember he was out in the wild (with mom) a lot longer.
Feed him separately so there is no competition and once he realizes that there will ALWAYS be enough (and he won't go hungry) he should settle down.
Besides, I am fairly sure the adults will put him in his place!

[jazzcat]

KAK, hopefully Decker will be like Starr and get over it, thanks.

AbbyMom - thanks, I'm glad to know someone else has experienced that. Today I've put them in the sunroom where all the big cat's toys are and he's doing just fine with all those other type toys. I'll just make sure no natural feather things are out.

Freedom - Decker is already neutered. When we trapped him he was so wild I didn't think I could tame him so the vet neutered him so we could release him with his mom but then he calmed down. As for the water bottle so far it doesn't faze him but I'll keep trying. It worked well with breaking bad behavior with my other guys.

Jen - I may have to start putting him in the cage to eat and leaving Moxie out, or the other way around. I think once I get them back on regular food he will get better, I hope. He sure did learn a lot of things from his mom in those few weeks.

Thanks for the replies.