Neutered male

Question
Hello, I have a concern over my 2 year old neutered male stalks and attacks my pregnant female? Before she became pregnant he didn't pay her any attention.He plays and cleans another female in the household,but she is a kitten.I don't understand his aggression and I fear he might make her abort the babies..is that his intentions or what?Please any insight on this matter would be greatly appreciated.


Sincerely,
Pam

Answer
Hello Pam,

I always try and make answers to behavioural questions like these as short as I can. You see the thing is, when it comes to inter-cat aggression it is difficult for me to give you a definitive answer as to the reasons behind the aggression without witnessing your cats interact together, seeing their body language and actions leading up to the aggressive action for example. It would simply be wrong for me to state exactly why the aggression is taking place without knowing both cats actions and body languages leading up to the fights, all I can do in this instance is give you possible reasons for the behaviour.

Assuming it is your male cat that has instigated the aggressive behaviour, I would think it highly possible that it is because she is pregnant. A females scent will change during pregnancy, and so will her behaviour, this will all seem unfamiliar and threatening to your male which may be a causing factor for the aggressive behaviour. This may of course also be a case of re-directed aggression, for example he may have seen another cat in his territory, maybe urine spraying, and he could not release his anger and frustration onto this cat for a number of reasons, and instead re-directed the aggression onto your female. We must also remember that although you are seeing him attacking her, it could always have been her that attacked him first for many reasons and this propelled them into further inter-cat aggression.

Whatever the aggression causing stimulus was, we must remember that she is pregnant. You are right to be concerned. I would suggest keeping them seperated, give her a room that is her 'safe place' that she can nest in, provide a litter tray, food, water and toys in there for her and attempt to make her environment stress free.

When the kittens are born, you must be aware that they too may be at risk. This may not just be from your male, who may take a dislike to their presence, but also from your female who may show maternal aggression or even infanticide as a miss-guided way of trying to protect them.

I do hope this has helped you a little

thank you

Kelly