How can I stop my one cat from hunting the other?

Question

From 2000 to 2014, we had two cats, a brother and sister from the same litter and they loved each other and got along great.  So, after they passed, we got another brother and sister, but this time, the brother is frequently in pursuit of his sister and she is just not that into him.  She growls and hisses.  He perseveres.  We engage him in play to help him get rid of some energy while helps while we're playing but not so much overall.  Sometimes, I feel bad for him because it seems like he just wants to play with her (and we got two so they would have each other's company while we were at work), but I guess he's been too aggressive and she wants no part of him.  Mostly, I feel bad for her because it seems like she just wants to be left alone and he can be quite relentless.  Sometimes he gets a time-out, shut in a room by himself so she can have a break from him.  Has anybody else had a similar problem?

Laura · Answer

It sounds like they have different personalities.  There isn't much you can do to change that.  I would consider finding another cat the boy likes, and finding a new home for the girl where she can be the only cat in the house.  
I would also make sure they are spayed and neutered.  This could also be mating behavior, not play behavior.  If he is wanting to have sex with her, that is all he is capable of thinking about thanks to hormones.  A male cat can get a female pregnant at 4 months.  A female cat can get pregnant at 4 months.  They can safely e spayed and neutered at 2 months old.  Get them spayed and neutered and this should calm them down.

Sandy · Answer

he needs to be neutered. and get her spayed. then everything will be fine.

Tarkarri · Answer

Cats frequently prefer to be only cats.
Your current female clearly feels that way.
There is no special brother//sister bond between cats.  You were just lucky the first time.
Have they both been neutered?
She will be particularly unimpressed if he is trying to mate with her when she is not ready.

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How can I stop my one cat from hunting the other?

3 Answers