Three's Company in a Cat Household

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Sunday, January 6, 2008; Page SM09

Dear Dr. Fox:

My cat Willie is 17 years old. He used to weigh 15 pounds but is down to seven. One eye is cloudy, and he has thyroid problems. He seems to vomit more often and will periodically urinate and defecate in odd places. Last year, we battled an abscess on his paw for the entire summer.

Last year, I also took in a stray kitten. The kitten is now 1 1/2 years old, a little more than 10 pounds and very energetic. The problem is the kitten attacks the older cat all night and all morning, then lays off during the day. The attacks are horrible, but there are never any injuries. I think this is leading to some of the older cat's nervousness. Both are indoor/outdoor cats.

I spray the kitten with a water bottle and sometimes have to shout him out of the room to give the older cat some peace. Then I feel bad because the kitten acts as though he doesn't know what he did wrong.

Do you have any other ideas to get the kitten to stop this behavior?

L.J.B.

Fort Plain, N.Y.