Behavior Problems

Question:

Hi, I had a similar problem with my cats a second litter box solved the problem. Give it a try you have only the price of a litter box to lose. Gary >We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of >which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray >last year.

Snip

Response:

I have had this problem for over 5 years with two of mine.  Maybe my solution to the problem will work for you. Give Kika a new litterbox and put it in a room where she alone can go.  Also, lock her in that room when you’re not there.  Lastly, make sure that you use the same brand of litter because some cats react badly to changes in brand. Good luck, Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

I had a similar problem last year when I adopted a kitten to join me and a girl kitty about seven years old.  Once he reached a certain point in time he began to harass the female when she was in the litterbox. Usually this resulted in an accident on the rug in front of the litter box.  I found that having a second litter box nearly eliminated the problem, although he does get excited at times and she gets too nervous to use the box. Perhaps when you are not at home you could separate them into different parts of your home, each with it’s own litterbox and stuff.  This will give you a certain amount of control and will give your cat some much needed respite from the other. Take care. — by permission of Molly and Casper, the wonder kitties Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what they want.  J.W. Krutch

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

I hate to tell ya this, but I’ve had Several similar experiences.  I have an older cat that is used to being the King of the roost.  yet, he is also very passive and gentle and would never go after a bird, for example.  While I was well aware of this, I also thought it might be a good idea to get him a companion, as I’m not home much. I have come across {in the past 4 years} serveral younger cats that direly needed a home. Each cat was very passive and gentle BEFORE I got them home, then it seemed all hell broke loose, as soon as I put them inside. One cat, {the first adoption} that I’d found hanging outside of a popular restaurant, would attack my older cat All the time, like when he was going to use his pottybox, when he tried eating, when he napped, and on and on. after 5 weeks or so, I couldn’t stand seeing my cat ambushed everytime he moved practically, I wound up having to find a home for her, Making sure she was the ONLY cat there.  I tried training, the whole gamut, but it was clear that the cat was a bully, and a young one at that.  There was ANOTHER cat that a friend found running wild in her neighborhood and ask me if I’d take her, so I did, and AGAIN, this was another hellion {!} that would Not respond to any kind of discipline I doled out, she would even get WORSE, just the kind of nightmare cat no one would want, unless of course, you had the patience of a saint. And she was Worse {in behaviour} to my cat than the other one I’d taken in. It was time to say bye-bye ireal quick with her.  Sooooo, my advice is, find a home for the problem cat ASAP, as IMO, it’s simply not fair to subject your original cat to the on-going feline abuse :}.  Believe me, your cat will thank you!  Good luck to you.  MLC

Response:

Does Izzy go in the litter box also?  If this is the case, it’s possible Kika is reacting to Izzy’s scent, since Kika is afraid of Izzy.  Maybe try totally cleaning one litter box with bleach or whatever to totally remove all cat smells, then make sure Izzy can’t rub against it or anything.  Maybe this would work. Hans – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

Read up on suggestions cat behaviorists make for similar situations. Usually a fairly lengthy period of separation and gradual reintroduction is involved. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of >which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray >last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that >our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. >this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of >it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – >she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will >startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never >actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is >the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach >her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her >"time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one >of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when >we’re at home. >    The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably >enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for >aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various >places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these >accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in >opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any >suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and >we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there >is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when we’re at home.         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

Hi, I had a similar problem with my cats a second litter box solved the problem. Give it a try you have only the price of a litter box to lose. Gary >We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of >which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray >last year.

Snip

Response:

I have had this problem for over 5 years with two of mine.  Maybe my solution to the problem will work for you. Give Kika a new litterbox and put it in a room where she alone can go.  Also, lock her in that room when you’re not there.  Lastly, make sure that you use the same brand of litter because some cats react badly to changes in brand. Good luck, Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

I had a similar problem last year when I adopted a kitten to join me and a girl kitty about seven years old.  Once he reached a certain point in time he began to harass the female when she was in the litterbox. Usually this resulted in an accident on the rug in front of the litter box.  I found that having a second litter box nearly eliminated the problem, although he does get excited at times and she gets too nervous to use the box. Perhaps when you are not at home you could separate them into different parts of your home, each with it’s own litterbox and stuff.  This will give you a certain amount of control and will give your cat some much needed respite from the other. Take care. — by permission of Molly and Casper, the wonder kitties Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what they want.  J.W. Krutch

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

I hate to tell ya this, but I’ve had Several similar experiences.  I have an older cat that is used to being the King of the roost.  yet, he is also very passive and gentle and would never go after a bird, for example.  While I was well aware of this, I also thought it might be a good idea to get him a companion, as I’m not home much. I have come across {in the past 4 years} serveral younger cats that direly needed a home. Each cat was very passive and gentle BEFORE I got them home, then it seemed all hell broke loose, as soon as I put them inside. One cat, {the first adoption} that I’d found hanging outside of a popular restaurant, would attack my older cat All the time, like when he was going to use his pottybox, when he tried eating, when he napped, and on and on. after 5 weeks or so, I couldn’t stand seeing my cat ambushed everytime he moved practically, I wound up having to find a home for her, Making sure she was the ONLY cat there.  I tried training, the whole gamut, but it was clear that the cat was a bully, and a young one at that.  There was ANOTHER cat that a friend found running wild in her neighborhood and ask me if I’d take her, so I did, and AGAIN, this was another hellion {!} that would Not respond to any kind of discipline I doled out, she would even get WORSE, just the kind of nightmare cat no one would want, unless of course, you had the patience of a saint. And she was Worse {in behaviour} to my cat than the other one I’d taken in. It was time to say bye-bye ireal quick with her.  Sooooo, my advice is, find a home for the problem cat ASAP, as IMO, it’s simply not fair to subject your original cat to the on-going feline abuse :}.  Believe me, your cat will thank you!  Good luck to you.  MLC

Response:

Does Izzy go in the litter box also?  If this is the case, it’s possible Kika is reacting to Izzy’s scent, since Kika is afraid of Izzy.  Maybe try totally cleaning one litter box with bleach or whatever to totally remove all cat smells, then make sure Izzy can’t rub against it or anything.  Maybe this would work. Hans – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

Read up on suggestions cat behaviorists make for similar situations. Usually a fairly lengthy period of separation and gradual reintroduction is involved. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of >which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray >last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that >our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. >this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of >it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – >she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will >startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never >actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is >the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach >her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her >"time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one >of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when >we’re at home. >    The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably >enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for >aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various >places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these >accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in >opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any >suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and >we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there >is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when we’re at home.         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

Hi, I had a similar problem with my cats a second litter box solved the problem. Give it a try you have only the price of a litter box to lose. Gary >We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of >which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray >last year.

Snip

Response:

I have had this problem for over 5 years with two of mine.  Maybe my solution to the problem will work for you. Give Kika a new litterbox and put it in a room where she alone can go.  Also, lock her in that room when you’re not there.  Lastly, make sure that you use the same brand of litter because some cats react badly to changes in brand. Good luck, Mary – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

I had a similar problem last year when I adopted a kitten to join me and a girl kitty about seven years old.  Once he reached a certain point in time he began to harass the female when she was in the litterbox. Usually this resulted in an accident on the rug in front of the litter box.  I found that having a second litter box nearly eliminated the problem, although he does get excited at times and she gets too nervous to use the box. Perhaps when you are not at home you could separate them into different parts of your home, each with it’s own litterbox and stuff.  This will give you a certain amount of control and will give your cat some much needed respite from the other. Take care. — by permission of Molly and Casper, the wonder kitties Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for what they want.  J.W. Krutch

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

I hate to tell ya this, but I’ve had Several similar experiences.  I have an older cat that is used to being the King of the roost.  yet, he is also very passive and gentle and would never go after a bird, for example.  While I was well aware of this, I also thought it might be a good idea to get him a companion, as I’m not home much. I have come across {in the past 4 years} serveral younger cats that direly needed a home. Each cat was very passive and gentle BEFORE I got them home, then it seemed all hell broke loose, as soon as I put them inside. One cat, {the first adoption} that I’d found hanging outside of a popular restaurant, would attack my older cat All the time, like when he was going to use his pottybox, when he tried eating, when he napped, and on and on. after 5 weeks or so, I couldn’t stand seeing my cat ambushed everytime he moved practically, I wound up having to find a home for her, Making sure she was the ONLY cat there.  I tried training, the whole gamut, but it was clear that the cat was a bully, and a young one at that.  There was ANOTHER cat that a friend found running wild in her neighborhood and ask me if I’d take her, so I did, and AGAIN, this was another hellion {!} that would Not respond to any kind of discipline I doled out, she would even get WORSE, just the kind of nightmare cat no one would want, unless of course, you had the patience of a saint. And she was Worse {in behaviour} to my cat than the other one I’d taken in. It was time to say bye-bye ireal quick with her.  Sooooo, my advice is, find a home for the problem cat ASAP, as IMO, it’s simply not fair to subject your original cat to the on-going feline abuse :}.  Believe me, your cat will thank you!  Good luck to you.  MLC

Response:

Does Izzy go in the litter box also?  If this is the case, it’s possible Kika is reacting to Izzy’s scent, since Kika is afraid of Izzy.  Maybe try totally cleaning one litter box with bleach or whatever to totally remove all cat smells, then make sure Izzy can’t rub against it or anything.  Maybe this would work. Hans – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of > which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray > last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that > our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. > this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of > it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – > she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will > startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never > actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is > the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach > her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her > "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one > of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when > we’re at home. >         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably > enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for > aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various > places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these > accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in > opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any > suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and > we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there > is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

Read up on suggestions cat behaviorists make for similar situations. Usually a fairly lengthy period of separation and gradual reintroduction is involved. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of >which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray >last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that >our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. >this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of >it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – >she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will >startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never >actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is >the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach >her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her >"time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one >of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when >we’re at home. >    The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably >enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for >aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various >places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these >accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in >opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any >suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and >we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there >is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

We have a couple behavioral problems centering around our two cats, one of which we bought as a small kitten and the second one we took in as a stray last year.  The first problem, which might be linked to the secon, is that our original cat, Izzy, bullies Kika (the rehabilitated stray) constantly. this ahs gone on for a year with no sign of stopping.  The worse part of it all is that she will bully her as Kika is trying to use the litterbox – she’ll sneak up on her when she sees her scrabbling in the litter and will startle her, just stopping short of actually attacking her.  Izzy never actually attacks Kika, she just bullies her on a regular basis.  This is the first problem – is there any way possible to discipline Izzy and teach her that this behavior is wrong?  We’ve basically been giving her "time-outs" as one would do with a small child and we shut Izzy into one of the bedrooms for a little while.  But this obviously only works when we’re at home.         The second problem is Kika’s litterbox habits.  Understandably enough, she’s nervous about using the box.  She’ll use it consistently for aperiod of time and then suddenly revert to having accidents in various places in the apartment.  She’s now going through a spell of having these accidents and it’s really trying our patience.  We have two boxes, in opposite ends of the apartment, but this doesn’t seem to do any good?  Any suggestions?  I’m pretty certain the two problems are linked.  Oh – and we’ve spent a great deal of $$ on getting Kika examined by a vet and there is no physical reason for her behavior.  Any advice would be appreciated!

Response:

Related Posts