Training the new cat NOT to attack the old cat?

Question

About 5 months ago we found a 10 month old cat (Leo) who was cold and scared to death at our back door, who looked to have been an outdoor cat those 10 months. We brought him into the house, litter trained him, got him fixed and for the most part he is a really lovable cat.

However, he likes to play and likes to play rough. He is constantly attacking our 8 year old cat (Quake) around the clock. Since Quake doesn't fight back he is constantly hissing and screaming when attacked. And now he doesn't like to be ground level so tables, counters and the couch is his new domain. To add to this, a month ago we rescued a month old kitten (Lucy) from our front tree. She is also victim to Leo's attacks but she seems to put up a fight even though he is three times the size... but that doesn't stop him.

We have to put a stop to this and it's something we can't always monitor since it happens downstairs or in the middle of the night (it wakes is up). We watch him do it some times and we know he is only playing. I chase him away and yell and if it's in the kitchen splash water, but so far he doesn't get the idea.

I heard about the shock collar, sound punishments or whatnot, I am pretty much open to anything since Quake and Lucy now have scabs on their necks from Leo's attacks.

How do I teach Leo not to play so rough or to just leave them alone... Any advice?

Answer 1

Don't use a shock collar. It is inhuman. It is like how would you like to get shocked with ELECTRICITY!!!! But you don't wanna hurt him but to stop them from doing it here is what you do. Buy a water spray bottle from walmart. DONT USE A WINDOW CLEANER BOTTLE. It would be like spraying chemicals on them. But buy a spray bottle that is new with no cleaners or anything in it. Then fill it with water. Whenever Leo does anything bad spray him. But not in his face it will hurt him. Hope that helped:-)

Answer 2

your kitten is well...still a kitten.  he is wanting to play and sometimes they can play rough.

you can't train them, they have to get used to each other.  when you first got the kitten, you should of separated them, only to where they can smell each other, so they can get acquainted better.

i wouldn't recommend a shock collar.  they shouldn't be punished for what's in their instincts.

Answer 3

I don't know any way to stop this rough play behavior.  When you brought Leo into the house, you should have separated them in different rooms for a couple of weeks and let them smell each other through the door.  In this way, they seem to get acquainted more easily.  Leo is a young cat and Quake is used to being the only cat.  In my opinion, Leo needs to be an only cat.  I know you would hate to part with him, but he really needs re-homed to a family that does not have any other animals.  This would be best for Leo and your other animals.  Good luck.

Answer 4

Leo is exhibiting very aggressive tendencies that make him a hazard to the other two cats. Some cats just can't live with other cats. Their personalities are strictly dominant and aggressive.

Something has got to change. Can you get another owner to take Leo? Surely being Quake and Lucy is no fun right now and probably won't get any better soon.

Contact your local no-kill animal shelter and explain your situation. It is hard to rehome kitties and this is going to be hard for you and the cats, but it seems like there are not a lot of options.

Find a new home for Leo. And good luck to you and your cats. I know you love them all.

Answer 5

This is difficult to do. Leo likes to play and the other ones don't. Most cats would give Leo a good swat to tell him to cool is jets, but your other cats are too placid for that. Can you put Leo in the room with you at night, or another room?

When you are present at his playtime, Clap your hands loudly and say a loud "no" to let Leo know that this is unacceptable. You need to be persistent.

Shock collars aren't going to work, it will make Leo a miserable cat and he won't recognize it as used for a specific punishment.

This may or may not work. It might just take more time for Leo to outgrow that playfulness.