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by LisaMarie on April 12th, 2007

LisaMarie

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We have 2 cats, brother and sister.We got them at about 4 months old, they are 5 years old now. Both cats are fixed. Lately my male cat attacks and beats up on the female. He then can go back to being sweet within minutes. Why is he doing this?

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  • by Athrael on April 12th, 2007

    Athrael

    Is it really an attack?

    Cats have two "attack" postures - clawed and "velveted" velveted means paw with claws not extended.

    The first is attack to maim/injure - weaponized with intent to make the receiving party come out of it hurting, the latter is more of a slap carrying with it warning, not meant as hurtful.

    Cats have hierarchies as well. Usually the male will raise to dominance, however females will challenge that authority and will do things (passive aggressive behaviors such as sniffing around the other's food bowl, or laying/walking standing in a certain designated spot which is considered by them to be the "kings" spot).

    http://cats.about.com/cs/healthissues/a/agechart.htm Gives us cat years to human years, it is acceptable to say around 7 years as for dogs. Any ways your cats are reaching their late 30's. Everybody knows that for humans "midlife crises" is around 40-ish. Cats too go through similar. A personality change takes place and the male may feel threatened in his territory due to his age.

    Granted they don't think "Gee I'm almost 40, I'm getting soooo old" however they feel their age just like humans do, they understand that they are not spry and able to stay up all night long partying and go to work the next day, those hang-overs are harder to manage. (humorous analogy only).

    If this is serious battle, where the male is using his claws and not just batting at her, I would suggest a visit to the vet. Change in behavior can be a sign of various illnesses. If still "velveted" in his swats then this is more along the lines of a dominance issue which cats being what they are it is hard to say what is causing him to feel threatened by the female - what she is doing to make him feel challenged.

    Now it is possible that she has been queen all along, meaning she has been the dominate one and suddenly he is feeling like challenging the spot, having a desire to climb the ranks so the speak.

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