2 male cats

Question
we have 1 neutered stray cat (approx. 6 years old) & 1 unneutered stray cat (approx 1 year old). the older cat tries to beat up the younger one. if i have the younger male cat neutered, will that lessen the bullying? the older cat is the alpha cat & has been hanging out with us for 5 years. the younger one...a few months. thanks!!!!
kathy

Answer
Kathy,

Getting a cat neutered is never a bad thing! It also helps a bunch of behavior problems. The older cat probably does not like the smell of the unneutered cat and is being territorial.

There are no guarantees that the bullying behavior will completely stop but it should lessen. If there isn't any major fur flying, blood being shed, or ears pinned back, then the older cat may be "schooling' the younger cat about the 'rules of 'his' house' and what the pecking order is. Sometimes what looks mean and 'bullying' to us is just 'kitty communication' to cats.

Tabbi