Is Cirrus Trying To Be King Of The Household?

**krazyaboutkatz** · 04-16-2003, 12:41 AM

Hi everyone. I've had my new cat Cirrus for 6 weeks now and he's becoming very friendly to me. He loves me to pet his head and scratch his back. Sometimes he seems to want all of the attention. This past Saturday when I was grooming Sunny, Cirrus came over and nipped him for no reason at all. He's also come up behind Sunny and jumped on him and cornered him in my bathroom. Sunny becomes very scared and submissive at the moment but will later play chase with him. Cirrrus came up to Storm tonight and nipped him too. Storm just sat there like he was shocked at his behavior. This is the first time that I've seen Cirrus nip Storm. In the beginning Storm was nipping Cirrus.

Should I be worried about Cirrus's behavior? Since he's the largest and strongest of the 3 cats, do you think he's trying to become the alpha cat? Right now Storm is the alpha cat. When Pepper was alive, he was next in line so Sunny was the lowest in the cat hierarchy. I just want my 3 cats to get along. Should I try to do anything or should I just let them work it out?

Thank you in advance.

**jenluckenbach** · 04-16-2003, 05:53 AM

Cirrus is asserting his dominance. He may or may not succeed, but it is up to the cats to figure it out. As far as us humans go, it is none of our business. The only time I intervene is if I REALLY think one cat is getting the short end of the stick. (In my house, that example would be when Sterling fights with Fern....there is NO reason for that as she always minds her own business). So let them be, do not worry, they will work it out.

**greendoor678** · 04-16-2003, 10:50 AM

It's normal to be worried about your kids being so aggressive. It sounds as though they are acting out their normal instinct to see who will really rule the roost.

I've seen my cats fight, chase and taunt each other too. There is nothing us humans can do to intervene or change this situation. However, Step in if one of your cats is being too aggressive (causing injury) to the other.

It will all work out in time. Be patient and let all of them know they are loved equally!

**catland** · 04-16-2003, 03:28 PM

It's more an issue of personality than size.

In my house I have Sid - 14 pounds, Joxer - 14 pounds, Jan - 8 pounds.

And the one in charge is Jan.

**Sara luvs her Tinky** · 04-16-2003, 06:29 PM

Where is he nipping them at?

Jupiter ALWAYS nips Tinky on the bottem when he wants to play..?!!? SILLY BOY!!

**krazyaboutkatz** · 04-16-2003, 11:48 PM

Originally posted by Sara luvs her Tinky
Where is he nipping them at?

Jupiter ALWAYS nips Tinky on the bottem when he wants to play..?!!? SILLY BOY!!

I've seen him nip both Sunny and Storm on the neck. Sunny and Storm have also done this to each other when they start playing rough with each other. I call it cat wrestling. The other morning Storm was trying to lick Cirrus's head and Cirrus lashed out at Storm. I sure wish that I could understand cat language.

**Sara luvs her Tinky** · 04-16-2003, 11:52 PM

Yeah.. T & J bite on the neck A LOT when they wrestle....
Everyone is right I'm sure.. they are probably just trying to find a alpha status among the bunch..... I honestly think they are accepting Cirrus rather quickly... I am sure in no time they will be buddies....

**Vio&Juni** · 04-17-2003, 08:51 AM

Originally posted by catland
It's more an issue of personality than size.

In my house I have Sid - 14 pounds, Joxer - 14 pounds, Jan - 8 pounds.

And the one in charge is Jan.

And that is no surprise, she's a female. Our Vasea was big - 16 pounds and Naomi was even smaller than Juni, I think less than 6 pounds, and she was the Iron Lady of our house.

KAK, I am sure, they'll work it out.