male cat "attacking" his sister

[Cindy]

My 2 1'2 year old male Maine Coon cat has begun this behavior over the past month -- he will meow/scream loudly and bite his sister on the back of her neck. He started doing this when we would play with toys -- he seemed to want to have the toy all to himself. Now he is biting her with more frequency (at least once a day) and sometimes it seems for no reason at all -- if she is just in his "sapce" or maybe I am giving her a little attention. He gets lots of attention and play time -- he seems to act like the "greedy, king of the world". She sometimes will "fight" back and bat at him, but usually does not engage with him, but runs away. I have yelled at him and even given him a "firm" pat when he does this, but to no avail -- his behavior seems to be getting worse! Any ideas??!! Thank you!!!

[MA]

Is he neutered? Is she spayed? If not guess what? You might have more than two cats soon. It is Kitten Season, and even neutered males will work themselves up in a state (sometimes) depending on if they were neutered before or after they first mated.

Don't "pat" your cat, or hit him in any way, that just increases aggression. Hiss once at him, clap your hands, throw a toy away from him to get his attention and startle him out of the behavior. If he isn't neutered, get him neutered, that will calm him down as well. Sometimes aggression is a reaction to pain, has he been to a vet recently?

Also at www.farnumpet.com there is a new product called Comfort Zone room mister. If the cats are fixed, then I suggest you purchase this product, it is wonderful to stop cat aggression. But right now, he is telling your second cat that he either wants her to have his babies, or he wants to be the dominant cat of the house.

[Guest]

My 2 1'2 year old male Maine Coon cat has begun this behavior over the past month -- he will meow/scream loudly and bite his sister on the back of her neck. He started doing this when we would play with toys -- he seemed to want to have the toy all to himself. Now he is biting her with more frequency (at least once a day) and sometimes it seems for no reason at all -- if she is just in his "space" or maybe I am giving her a little attention. He gets lots of attention and play time -- he seems to act like the "greedy, king of the world". She sometimes will "fight" back and bat at him, but usually does not engage with him, but runs away. I have yelled at him and even given him a "firm" pat when he does this, but to no avail -- his behavior seems to be getting worse! Any ideas??!! Thank you!!!

P.S. Yes, they are both neutered and spayed

[Auntie Debbie]

I agree with MA. His behavior is part of the mating ritual. As I just posted to someone else, neutered dosn's always mean cats or dogs can't have a fling. A family cat, many years ago had the afghan on the ottman and my sister's dog had a fling with a giznt sized stuffed teddy bear. It was definitely his woman!
I have some links on "Aggression" and "Spraying" (ya gotta watchout for this since he is doing that) under the Feline section of my website (Debbie's Feline Health) listed under Favorites on the menu on the left side of the board.

As long as there are no serious fights you shouldn't have a problem. My male cat will sometimes get to the point where he can actually mount his sister but then just stands there. She in turn gets annoyed and leaves or swats him. Then sometimes in retaliation, she'll try to mount him, LOL! So far this behavior here hasn't been a major concern and I hope it won't be for you either.

[Guest]

Thanks for your great ideas -- I clap and yell then I put him in another bedroom, ALONE (kitty time-out). The frequency did not decrease whatsoever last week -- it remained the same. However, my siter's little dog came to visit this weekend (the dog is smaller than the cat). My cat was so focused on the dog -- watching it's every move, etc., that he has not attacked his sister for 5 days!