Cat Getting Bossy

My 6 year old cat has been grouchy twords the other cats (3 of her kittens and a rescue and her kitten) she usually gets along with them, mostly it's when they are eating, she growls and "hits" them if they eat with her....is it a hierarchy thing since she is oldest?

Sounds like asserting dominance. Not likely a problem if its only at the food bowl. It tends to become more serious if the dominant kitty excludes the other cats from major parts of the house.

If this is a new development, it could be something health wise that is bothering your 6yo. Sometimes when cats aren't feeling their best, they can get grouchy and might take it out on the other cats.

Anything else going on with her that might point toward some health issue brewing?

She is putting the others in their place, not unusual at all for a older matriarch. It is her rightful place to set limits and teach others their manners, especially kittens. Don't be surprised if she pins them to the ground. Kittens can be very annoying and need to learn their place to be well mannered. In a wild dog world the algha male eats first and then the others eat. They are lucky it is a cat world and she is letting them eat next to her. I have seen tiny females chase huge feral toms away from food, they are ferocious when they are not given the respect they feel they deserve!

ArtNJ said:

Sounds like asserting dominance. Not likely a problem if its only at the food bowl. It tends to become more serious if the dominant kitty excludes the other cats from major parts of the house.

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She ok other times.

FeebysOwner said:

If this is a new development, it could be something health wise that is bothering your 6yo. Sometimes when cats aren't feeling their best, they can get grouchy and might take it out on the other cats.

Anything else going on with her that might point toward some health issue brewing?

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Not that I can tell

The one she hit was her 4 month old son, the other one is my year old rescue.

Are they all spayed and neutered?

Any chance you could feed them on separate plates? Or even in different locations?

If her son is not neutered and she’s not spayed, he’s getting old enough to get her pregnant.

She's a witch said:

Any chance you could feed them on separate plates? Or even in different locations?

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I highly recommend this as well. Better to feed them separately with separate food dish and far from each other. Else, only one cat can eat well enough.

I have been.

sabbyjake said:

I have been.

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The only issue is during feeding time as I understand. So I suggest to feed your "grouchy" cat in a separate room and close the door. Then the others you can also feed in separate bowls even if they are near each other.

My 5 year old female still swats her sons every day. They are very annoying to her. They will even jump on her, make her scream and then run away. As long as your other cats come back to her and don't actively hide from her and run from her when they see her, everything is fine. PS I feed my cats seperately on small foam disposable plates. Not because they swat each other, but because I have one that would eat it all and they wouldn't get any. By the time he has finished his, they have had enough.