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Cat behaving badly over lockdown!

(7 Posts)
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Craftycat Sun 03-Jan-21 11:28:02

We have 4 cats. 2 sisters & a boy who came from the same rescue centre on the same day & a much older- we think she is 15-16-old lady who we have had since she was tiny- her brother died about 3 years ago.
They have always got on fine together until the last week or so.
The older cat has a bed that usually the others ignore & they just seem to get on OK if not affectionate but for the last week or so one of the 2 girls has started attacking the older cat & this morning her sister joined in. They are getting into her bed now too so she has moved into dining room. I have bought Feliway adaptors & spray but it doesn't seem to have helped- well not yet anyway. The old lady does not fight back but swears what I assume is very bad cat language at them but then she goes out in the garden & stays there a lot. It is very cold now so I'd rather she was in more.
I've had cats all my life & never had this problem before- yes the odd spat but not bullying.
Any ideas??

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GagaJo Sun 03-Jan-21 11:30:38

Can you move her bed to a room and give her a tray of her own, and shut the others out?

I feel bad for the poor old girl. I used to have an old matriarch and 3 boys. Eventually, the old girl went to live with my mum and she was much happer.

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Sparklefizz Sun 03-Jan-21 11:42:47

Yes, I agree with GagaJo - try and give her some space of her own.

I have had cats all my life and haven't come across your problem, Craftycat. Have you tried to glean any behavioural ideas from googling?

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Elegran Sun 03-Jan-21 12:23:25

I wonder whether she is getting frail and isn't really well, and the sisters are taking advantage of this to bully her.? Animals know when another is weak and at their mercy.

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seacliff Sun 03-Jan-21 12:33:16

Yes agreed with others, I too wonder if she is poorly, and they have sensed it. Poor old girl, she should certainly not be driven out in this weather.

She needs a safe, tucked away, room with her usual bed, and own litter tray possibly, where the others can be kept away. If you could go and sit with her regularly and have a coffee and a fuss, I'm sure she would settle.

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grandtanteJE65 Sun 03-Jan-21 13:24:46

If the younger cats attack, or rather when, tell them off and put them out into the garden for a while.

Watever the reason for this behaviour, it is a pity for the old cat. Can you leave her bed where it always has been and stop the other cats going in?

It could be the end is appproaching for the old girl and that the two sisters are chivvying for place as top cat, but that doesn't make it any nicer to watch or endure for the cat that is getting this rough treatment.

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lemongrove Sun 03-Jan-21 14:41:37

Elegran

I wonder whether she is getting frail and isn't really well, and the sisters are taking advantage of this to bully her.? Animals know when another is weak and at their mercy.

I think that’s exactly it, when we had two cats ( one a good deal younger) he did the same to the older one, always getting into the other’s bed! It happened as time went on and the older cat became more frail.
We moved them apart ( the beds) and it stopped.

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