Cats don't get along

[Erica]

I have three cats - one that can be very abusive to the other. I've had both cats for a very long time. Normally, the two just leave each other alone, but there are times that Jack will just abuse Cleo. He has cornered her and starts swatting at her to the point where he has drawn blood - bloody nose, cut ear. He also has taken to guarding the door to the basement - where the litter boxes are. Neither behavior happens all of the time, but enough that I think it has caused continued stress on Cleo. Both cats have been fixed and Jack only behaves this way with Cleo. The other female cat is his best friend and he does nothing to her. Is this something I can change?

Thank you for your time!

[Dr. Jennifer Sobie]

Unfortunately some cats simply do not get along. In addition to Cleo's mental well-being, a big concern I have is that Jack's behavior will keep Cleo from using the litter box. I suggest you put an additional box somewhere in a relatively open area for Cleo--an area that Jack can't guard well. Occasionally people have success with using feline pheromones in situations such as yours, but often even though the cats have known each other for years, they now must be separated and reintroduced. I'm attaching a paper on cat to cat intros for you.

Dr Jennifer Sobie