How to Stop Cat Bullying

Anyone who has lived with cats knows that changing the behavior of a feline is next to impossible, unless the cat thinks the change was her idea. This extends to the cat that bullies other cats in the home. The best way to deal with the bully cat is to change the environment, giving the other cats better opportunities to escape the bully, and access the litter box, food, water and affection. As the stress levels in the home decline because the other cats are able to escape the bully cat̵7;s attention, the bullying behavior should decline.

Things You'll Need

  • Extra litter box
  • Cat tree (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spay/neuter the bully cat, and any other cats in the home, if the felines aren̵7;t already altered. Unaltered cats, with hormones running rampant, are much more prone to bad behavior, including bullying and other types of aggression.

    • 2

      Add litter boxes. The litter box is a big deal in the cats̵7; world and much fighting and bullying in multi-cat households center on access to the litter box. The general rule is that you should have one more litter box than you do cats. This means, for example, that if you have four cats, you should have fiver litter boxes.

    • 3

      Place the litter boxes in different locations throughout the house. If the bully cat is guarding one box and not allowing the other cats access to it, the other cats can go to one of the other litter boxes in a different location. The bully cat can̵7;t be everywhere.

    • 4

      Provide escapes at different levels. Cats like height. If the cats can get away from each other--and especially the bully cat--stress will be reduced. Providing these escapes can be done in several ways. Adding cat trees is the most expensive options. Simply cleaning off bookshelves at different heights, or making the top of the refrigerator available as an escape, works equally well.

    • 5

      Establish several feeding areas, if you have food out for your cats at all times. This will allow other cats to access food and water when the bully cat is guarding a particular area. If you have set feeding times for your cats, feed the bully cat in a separate room where he can̵7;t antagonize the other cats while they are eating.

    • 6

      Set out water bowls in several areas. This will allow the other cats to drink if the bully cat is guarding a particular water bowl.