overly aggressive outdoors. Need advice.

stellaartois · 11-16-2012, 07:49 AM

Hi all.

We've recently moved to a new area away from traffic and was hoping to be able to start letting the cats out. Out of the three cats we can only let two out because the third hasn't had her operation and three is enough. This is what happened:

First we let Polly out, she seemed happy sniffing around for ten minutes then came back in. After the door was shut she wanted to go back out again. (She's always wanted to be an outdoor cat)

We then let Polly and her son, Stella out. After about 5 minutes Stella was hiding under the table and every time he tried to move, Polly would attack him.

We then let Polly out on her own again but she saw another cat. Although the cat approached slowly and friendly, she soon chased him off.

We tried letting Stella out on his own but he hung around the door until Polly noticed. He ran inside closely followed by Polly who chased him round the housetrying to attack him. It took a couple of minutes to get her off him and he remained nervous for the rest of the day.

Does anybody have any idea why Polly would turn so aggressive, and more importantly how to stop it so they can go outside in peace?

Please help

Nathan

shan841 · 11-16-2012, 10:32 AM

This sounds like it may be something called "re-directed" aggression. THere may be other cats around, who have marked areas around your house. Your cats are smelling these "strange cat" scents, and taking it out on each other. I suppose it will probably stop once they are settled in and have marked the area with their own familiar scents.

Nan · 11-16-2012, 11:16 AM

Or you could just keep them in. The problem is, once you start letting them out (unless you have a cat door) you will will forever be getting up to let them in and out. Usually their preferred spot is sitting in the doorway, door open.

Nan · 11-16-2012, 11:45 AM

Case in point.

Seriously though, how long have you been there? They probably need to be comfortably inside for a while for them to consider it their territory. It might just be a case of too much new at a time.

stellaartois · 11-17-2012, 01:08 AM

Been here about a month now. I'm considering letting Polly outside on her own until she gets used to other cats in the area. Then once she's settled and adapted to the fact that just about every household has at least one cat, then I'll see how she reacts to her son going out with her.

Thanks for the advice, I'll keep you posted on how it goes

Nathan.

11-16-2012, 07:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
stellaartois Kitten Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 7	overly aggressive outdoors. Need advice. Hi all. We've recently moved to a new area away from traffic and was hoping to be able to start letting the cats out. Out of the three cats we can only let two out because the third hasn't had her operation and three is enough. This is what happened: First we let Polly out, she seemed happy sniffing around for ten minutes then came back in. After the door was shut she wanted to go back out again. (She's always wanted to be an outdoor cat) We then let Polly and her son, Stella out. After about 5 minutes Stella was hiding under the table and every time he tried to move, Polly would attack him. We then let Polly out on her own again but she saw another cat. Although the cat approached slowly and friendly, she soon chased him off. We tried letting Stella out on his own but he hung around the door until Polly noticed. He ran inside closely followed by Polly who chased him round the housetrying to attack him. It took a couple of minutes to get her off him and he remained nervous for the rest of the day. Does anybody have any idea why Polly would turn so aggressive, and more importantly how to stop it so they can go outside in peace? Please help Nathan

11-16-2012, 10:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
shan841 Senior Cat Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Parkville, MD Posts: 817	This sounds like it may be something called "re-directed" aggression. THere may be other cats around, who have marked areas around your house. Your cats are smelling these "strange cat" scents, and taking it out on each other. I suppose it will probably stop once they are settled in and have marked the area with their own familiar scents. __________________ "Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered" - Bob Barker

11-16-2012, 11:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
Nan Cool Cat Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 1,272	Or you could just keep them in. The problem is, once you start letting them out (unless you have a cat door) you will will forever be getting up to let them in and out. Usually their preferred spot is sitting in the doorway, door open. __________________

11-16-2012, 11:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
Nan Cool Cat Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 1,272	Case in point. Seriously though, how long have you been there? They probably need to be comfortably inside for a while for them to consider it their territory. It might just be a case of too much new at a time. __________________

11-17-2012, 01:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
stellaartois Kitten Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Lincolnshire, UK Posts: 7	Been here about a month now. I'm considering letting Polly outside on her own until she gets used to other cats in the area. Then once she's settled and adapted to the fact that just about every household has at least one cat, then I'll see how she reacts to her son going out with her. Thanks for the advice, I'll keep you posted on how it goes Nathan.

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