Hi, everyone. I'm hoping someone here might have some advice for us.

Two years ago, we acquired two rescue cats, a male and a female, from the same shelter, though they are not related. Both cats are about 3 - 4 years old, and both have been spayed/neutered and have all their vaccinations. For the most part, they get along well. However, not always.

The trouble is that the bigger, male cat, often attacks the smaller female. He is a big guy and is about 6 to 8 lbs. heavier than her, and we often hear her squealing when he is attacking her. She never seems to display any real injuries, so I don't know if they're just playing, but she seems jumpy and spends much of her time hiding under furniture so he can't get to her. At other times, they both seem to get along fine.

I feel bad that I've got this smaller cat trapped in a house with a bigger cat who acts aggressively toward her. I've tried yelling at him, chasing him away from her, clapping my hands, everything short of physically hitting him to keep him from attacking the female, but nothing seems to stop this behavior, which appears to be unpredictable and random.

My concern: Is this normal behavior? Is the smaller cat in danger? Should I be concerned? I'm afraid that if I can't get the bigger male cat to control his aggressive behavior I might have to look for a new home for him.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks.

-IWN