| Occasionally you will find a cat with unusual aggression | | | | needed the extra food, she was just making sure she |
| patterns. One of these is food aggression. Sometimes | | | | was the one in charge. I solved this problem by feeding |
| food aggressions can be put down to one cat trying | | | | them in different rooms and made sure that Cassie |
| to be the 'alpha' cat in the family, but there can be | | | | had finished before Tikki was allowed into the room. |
| other causes as well. | | | | After a few weeks of this, Tikki settled down to the |
| Food aggression is where the cat will attack another | | | | extent that she started waiting for her dinner in the |
| cat to protect its food. It may also try to steal food | | | | same room as Cassie. When I started feeding them |
| from other cats. Typically this type of aggression is | | | | together again, there were no further problems. As |
| from cats that were strays or were perhaps in a | | | | both cats cat been spayed, there were no problems |
| shelter where food wasn't plentiful. The cat has been | | | | with either of them spraying urine on vertical surfaces. |
| in situations where it has literally had to fight off others | | | | If you think your cat has a problem with food |
| in order to eat. Once in the home situation, they are still | | | | aggression, start feeding your cats on opposite sides |
| unsure that the food will be forthcoming each day. You | | | | of the room. Stay and keep watch on them to make |
| might find your cat trying to 'stare down' another cat to | | | | sure both cats get their food. Make sure you feed |
| warn it away from the food. | | | | them at the same time each day so they know the |
| Food aggression can also happen in homes where | | | | food is going to be there. This can be once or twice a |
| there is an uneasy relationship between two or more | | | | day, it is up to you. If it is a dog that is causing the |
| cats, especially if one cat is weaker. In this situation the | | | | problem, feed the cat where the dog can't get at it. |
| aggressive cat is attempting to make itself the 'alpha' | | | | This could be in a different room or somewhere high |
| or number one cat in the home. The tension that builds | | | | that the dog can't reach. |
| up can cause the weaker cat to become fearful and | | | | It will take time, but your cat will realize that the food is |
| insecure. It could also lead to spraying and more | | | | now plentiful and going to come each day. And when |
| aggression. I had this problem when Tikki was alive. | | | | that happens, you will have a wonderful companion |
| She would try to push Cassie away from the food at | | | | that is a joy to be with. |
| night so she could eat both dishes. I don't think she | | | | |