Gus Exhibits Aggressive Behavior Toward Sister

A cat may bully his littermate because of an underlying medical condition.

By J. Veronika Kiklevich, DVM | Posted: Fri May 13 00:00:00 PDT 2005

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We adopted the littermates 5 years ago from a local shelter. A couple of years ago Gus had urinary crystals and was in a lot of pain. That is when his behavior became obvious and it escalated from that point on. Though he is no longer in pain and is quite healthy, he continues to jump his sister and bite her backside until she has welts on her back.

Our veterinarian suggested an antidepressant-type medication. Because Gus is naturally inactive, we hesitate to give him the medication, in case it makes him more sluggish.

My husband and I work during the day and hate to leave her home with Gus. Our vet insists that she will eventually begin to protect herself, but she never fights back. She actually runs to him when we discipline him as if to say, "Are you OK?"

We are at a loss and hope you can offer some help. 

A. This is a complicated and common behavioral problem. Medication alone will not solve the problem. Gus needs intense behavioral modification, which may require medication, temporarily.  I highly recommend that you consult a board-certified behaviorist for help with behavioral-modification techniques. Here are some suggestions:

1. Start keeping a diary, logging Gus' attacks and other behavior issues. This will help the behaviorist assess the situation. Such behavior requires much detective work to identify what triggers the aggression and how to deal with it.

2. Separate these cats when they are not being strictly and specifically observed.

3. Get both cats thoroughly checked out by your veterinarian, including routine laboratory tests to identify any abnormalities that may be contributing factors to the problem. Sometimes there is a physical reason for animal aggression.

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Gus Exhibits Aggressive Behavior Toward Sister

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CatChannel Editor    Irvine, CA 3/21/2013 10:01:08 AM DD -- Are you sure this is out of hunger? This could be an act of dominance. As mentioned to another reader, try giving your cat another outlet to express his place in the household hierarchy. Provide lots of places to perch in your house, at different levels. This way, your alpha cat can claim the top spot and feel less like establishing a pecking order through attacks. DD    Rockville, MD 3/20/2013 4:57:19 PM My male kitty attacks his sister by going for her neck from behind when he is hungry. Prey? He is a big sweet yellow cat and she is a calico- She swats him but it is very unpleasant and sometimes they really begin to fight. I holler at him when I see him going up behind her. He is getting fatter because I am afraid for him to get hungry and attack his sister- suggestions very welcome. dds35day@netscape.net Janet    Bethlehem, PA 12/12/2012 2:44:40 AM good article, thanks Amber    Milwaukee, WI 10/21/2012 12:37:51 AM Gus just wants to be domonate. My male was that way towards my female cat and dog. Just when you feed them feed her first and have him close enough to see and after a while that will break down that male ego.