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-   -   cat is a bully (http://www.catbanter.com/showthread.php?t=28020)

RobR June 9th 05 10:18 PM

cat is a bully
 
We have four amazing indoor only cats, but over the past couple of years,
one of them has really become a bully to one of our other cats. Here's
our cat family:

Brak - Male 18lb - 5y old (the bully)
Warren (Braks brother) - Male 13lb - 5y old
Kaya - Female - 7lb - 10mo
Zena - Female - 10lb - 13y

Brak is probably the best lap cat/people bather (except he can't sit still
in
your lap for more than 30 seconds at a time before he has to readjust),
but he will NOT leave Zena alone. He traps her into corners and
behind the big TV and bites at and wrestles her. She screams and
yowls, she won't fight, she rolls over on her back which makes it even
easier for Brak to assault her. As you can see, he's almost twice her
weight.

Wife has had enough and had told me one of them has to go. We love them
all, Brak and Warren were inseperable which is why we adopted them both
(though they don't seem to be now, Brak jumps on him sometimes too and
****es him off). Zena is wife's cat from before our marriage.

More living space might help the problem, but right now we simply
don't have more space to give them. They're confined to the downstairs
which gives them 3 rooms. Wife doesn't trust them upstairs (except Kaya)
as they jump into baby's crib (Kaya is small enough to squeeze under the
gate blocking off the upstairs).

The plant sprayer doesn't deter Brak at all. He hates it but even after a
year of squirting him, he won't change his behavior. When he had her
trapped behind the TV the other day, he ignored my wife yelling at him
because he knew she couldn't get to him physically. She had to find the
water bottle and spray him to get him to leave Zena alone.

I don't want to get rid of Brak or Zena, but I'm not sure what I can do
to change Brak's behavior. Wife is at home all day and says it happens
several times a day. Any help greatly appreciated.





Orchid June 9th 05 10:47 PM

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 21:18:33 GMT, "RobR" wrote:


Brak is probably the best lap cat/people bather (except he can't sit still
in
your lap for more than 30 seconds at a time before he has to readjust),
but he will NOT leave Zena alone. He traps her into corners and
behind the big TV and bites at and wrestles her. She screams and
yowls, she won't fight, she rolls over on her back which makes it even
easier for Brak to assault her.


*grin* Never forget that cats are not just small dogs. When
cats roll over onto their backs they're definitely in the fight. The
best offensive defensive position (the defensive position where they
can do the most damage) is on their back -- that allows them to bring
their *extremely* powerful hind legs into play. She's probably
rabbit-kicking him and you just can't see it.
Full disclosu I am a trainer/behaviourist in Washington DC.

As you can see, he's almost twice her
weight.


The biggest instigator in my household is Hakaisha, a 7.5
pound grey moggy boy. He regularly takes on his 'uncles' -- two 13
pound Bengals.


The plant sprayer doesn't deter Brak at all. He hates it but even after a
year of squirting him, he won't change his behavior. When he had her
trapped behind the TV the other day, he ignored my wife yelling at him
because he knew she couldn't get to him physically. She had to find the
water bottle and spray him to get him to leave Zena alone.

I don't want to get rid of Brak or Zena, but I'm not sure what I can do
to change Brak's behavior. Wife is at home all day and says it happens
several times a day. Any help greatly appreciated.


It sounds like Brak and Zena are fighting it out to see who is
the top cat in the household. Honestly, I would say that as long as
there is no blood, let them work it out. 'Real' cat fights involve
blood, and lots of it. Remeber that a cat's mouth is filled with
extremely sharp teeth designed to let blood, and even if there's fur
flying they are both practising bite inhibition.
By you two breaking up the wrestling matches, you are
preventing any sort of decision on the part of the cats as to who's
top cat. Now, if you want to artificually throw your weight behind
one or the other you can -- greet your choice for Top Cat first, pet
it first, feed it first.

Maybe block access to behind the TV with pillows or something
temporarily.


Another option would be to do a 're-introduction'. Put Brak
in a small confined room (like a bathroom) and let he and Zena
re-introduce slowly. You did introdcue them slowly at first, right?






Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

Joe Canuck June 9th 05 10:57 PM

Orchid wrote:

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 21:18:33 GMT, "RobR" wrote:



Brak is probably the best lap cat/people bather (except he can't sit still
in
your lap for more than 30 seconds at a time before he has to readjust),
but he will NOT leave Zena alone. He traps her into corners and
behind the big TV and bites at and wrestles her. She screams and
yowls, she won't fight, she rolls over on her back which makes it even
easier for Brak to assault her.



*grin* Never forget that cats are not just small dogs. When
cats roll over onto their backs they're definitely in the fight. The
best offensive defensive position (the defensive position where they
can do the most damage) is on their back -- that allows them to bring
their *extremely* powerful hind legs into play. She's probably
rabbit-kicking him and you just can't see it.
Full disclosu I am a trainer/behaviourist in Washington DC.



Not applicable with the Ragdoll breed of cats who do this all the time
because... well because it is comfy and they like it. With them it has
nothing to do with fighting or a defensive position.




As you can see, he's almost twice her
weight.



The biggest instigator in my household is Hakaisha, a 7.5
pound grey moggy boy. He regularly takes on his 'uncles' -- two 13
pound Bengals.



The plant sprayer doesn't deter Brak at all. He hates it but even after a
year of squirting him, he won't change his behavior. When he had her
trapped behind the TV the other day, he ignored my wife yelling at him
because he knew she couldn't get to him physically. She had to find the
water bottle and spray him to get him to leave Zena alone.

I don't want to get rid of Brak or Zena, but I'm not sure what I can do
to change Brak's behavior. Wife is at home all day and says it happens
several times a day. Any help greatly appreciated.



It sounds like Brak and Zena are fighting it out to see who is
the top cat in the household. Honestly, I would say that as long as
there is no blood, let them work it out. 'Real' cat fights involve
blood, and lots of it. Remeber that a cat's mouth is filled with
extremely sharp teeth designed to let blood, and even if there's fur
flying they are both practising bite inhibition.
By you two breaking up the wrestling matches, you are
preventing any sort of decision on the part of the cats as to who's
top cat. Now, if you want to artificually throw your weight behind
one or the other you can -- greet your choice for Top Cat first, pet
it first, feed it first.

Maybe block access to behind the TV with pillows or something
temporarily.


Another option would be to do a 're-introduction'. Put Brak
in a small confined room (like a bathroom) and let he and Zena
re-introduce slowly. You did introdcue them slowly at first, right?






Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid


bigbadbarry June 9th 05 11:04 PM



RobR wrote:
We have four amazing indoor only cats, but over the past couple of years,
one of them has really become a bully to one of our other cats. Here's
our cat family:

Brak - Male 18lb - 5y old (the bully)
Warren (Braks brother) - Male 13lb - 5y old
Kaya - Female - 7lb - 10mo
Zena - Female - 10lb - 13y


Your acting like a hairlipped man trying to order worchestershire sauce
in a steak house.

roll up a walmart circular, or a dollar store circular...put it in your
back pocket.

The very next time you catch him on top of the other cat, and the other
cat is hollering mercy, but he won't stop...BUST THAT ASS! (spin him
around)

I SAID STOP!

If he lays his ears back and wants to take you on...give em some
more...across that ass..don't bruise him, or maim him, but pop him one.
Dammit, I get mad people won't spank children or cats.
it's crazy. Now kids are suing for parents correcting them.
This is a JOKE! We gotta get back to basics...

(you heard what I said)

Now, for whatever reason is really behind his frustration, please stand
by, Im fixing to get flamed for this post...but if you look in the
flame posts at me, you might gather up possible reasons for him doing
this in the first place,

BUT I STILL WOULDN'T TOLERATE IT.

And you say he stuck his tongue out at your wife?
And she's fixing to kick him out of the house?


Orchid June 9th 05 11:19 PM

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 17:57:41 -0400, Joe Canuck
wrote:


Not applicable with the Ragdoll breed of cats who do this all the time
because... well because it is comfy and they like it. With them it has
nothing to do with fighting or a defensive position.



When wrestling or fighting, it *is* a defensive posture. When
just lying around the house, or with very trusted people it's a
comfort and trust thing. :) My Bengals flop onto their backs and
wiggle around when they want their tummies petted or kissed. Of
course they also wrestle like mad things and believe me, when he goes
onto his back then it's to rabbit kick his brother.



Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

RobR June 9th 05 11:28 PM

some very interesting insights, but i really dont think they are fighting it
out
to see who is top dog... or cat in this case. zena is very submissive to
everyone. she doesn't fight, she gives up her food or bed or toy or window
if someone else tries to take it, it's sort of sad actually. she tries to
run from
brak but he chases her. yes, they were introduced slowly (btw, brak
and warren were 2 weeks old when they came home, we foster cared for
their litter for a local shelter). she and brak actually were like best
buddies
when he was a kitten. they really seemed to love each other and cuddled
together all the time. now she cant stand him and just hisses at him if he
even walks near her (ok, so i guess that's not submissive, but it's probably
also instigating some of the attacks).

"Orchid" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 21:18:33 GMT, "RobR" wrote:


Brak is probably the best lap cat/people bather (except he can't sit still
in
your lap for more than 30 seconds at a time before he has to readjust),
but he will NOT leave Zena alone. He traps her into corners and
behind the big TV and bites at and wrestles her. She screams and
yowls, she won't fight, she rolls over on her back which makes it even
easier for Brak to assault her.


*grin* Never forget that cats are not just small dogs. When
cats roll over onto their backs they're definitely in the fight. The
best offensive defensive position (the defensive position where they
can do the most damage) is on their back -- that allows them to bring
their *extremely* powerful hind legs into play. She's probably
rabbit-kicking him and you just can't see it.
Full disclosu I am a trainer/behaviourist in Washington DC.

As you can see, he's almost twice her
weight.


The biggest instigator in my household is Hakaisha, a 7.5
pound grey moggy boy. He regularly takes on his 'uncles' -- two 13
pound Bengals.


The plant sprayer doesn't deter Brak at all. He hates it but even after a
year of squirting him, he won't change his behavior. When he had her
trapped behind the TV the other day, he ignored my wife yelling at him
because he knew she couldn't get to him physically. She had to find the
water bottle and spray him to get him to leave Zena alone.

I don't want to get rid of Brak or Zena, but I'm not sure what I can do
to change Brak's behavior. Wife is at home all day and says it happens
several times a day. Any help greatly appreciated.


It sounds like Brak and Zena are fighting it out to see who is
the top cat in the household. Honestly, I would say that as long as
there is no blood, let them work it out. 'Real' cat fights involve
blood, and lots of it. Remeber that a cat's mouth is filled with
extremely sharp teeth designed to let blood, and even if there's fur
flying they are both practising bite inhibition.
By you two breaking up the wrestling matches, you are
preventing any sort of decision on the part of the cats as to who's
top cat. Now, if you want to artificually throw your weight behind
one or the other you can -- greet your choice for Top Cat first, pet
it first, feed it first.

Maybe block access to behind the TV with pillows or something
temporarily.


Another option would be to do a 're-introduction'. Put Brak
in a small confined room (like a bathroom) and let he and Zena
re-introduce slowly. You did introdcue them slowly at first, right?






Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid




Joe Canuck June 9th 05 11:48 PM

Orchid wrote:

On Thu, 09 Jun 2005 17:57:41 -0400, Joe Canuck
wrote:



Not applicable with the Ragdoll breed of cats who do this all the time
because... well because it is comfy and they like it. With them it has
nothing to do with fighting or a defensive position.




When wrestling or fighting, it *is* a defensive posture. When
just lying around the house, or with very trusted people it's a
comfort and trust thing. :) My Bengals flop onto their backs and
wiggle around when they want their tummies petted or kissed. Of
course they also wrestle like mad things and believe me, when he goes
onto his back then it's to rabbit kick his brother.



Ragdolls don't fight.

Laying on their backs is one of their characteristic behaviors.

Bengals are entirely another issue. ;)





Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid


Jen M. via CatKB.com June 9th 05 11:50 PM

Really Barry?

Jen



bigbadbarry wrote:
We have four amazing indoor only cats, but over the past couple of years,
one of them has really become a bully to one of our other cats. Here's

[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
Kaya - Female - 7lb - 10mo
Zena - Female - 10lb - 13y


Your acting like a hairlipped man trying to order worchestershire sauce
in a steak house.

roll up a walmart circular, or a dollar store circular...put it in your
back pocket.

The very next time you catch him on top of the other cat, and the other
cat is hollering mercy, but he won't stop...BUST THAT ASS! (spin him
around)

I SAID STOP!

If he lays his ears back and wants to take you on...give em some
more...across that ass..don't bruise him, or maim him, but pop him one.
Dammit, I get mad people won't spank children or cats.
it's crazy. Now kids are suing for parents correcting them.
This is a JOKE! We gotta get back to basics...

(you heard what I said)

Now, for whatever reason is really behind his frustration, please stand
by, Im fixing to get flamed for this post...but if you look in the
flame posts at me, you might gather up possible reasons for him doing
this in the first place,

BUT I STILL WOULDN'T TOLERATE IT.

And you say he stuck his tongue out at your wife?
And she's fixing to kick him out of the house?


--
Message posted via CatKB.com
http://www.catkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...ealth/200506/1

Jen M. via CatKB.com June 9th 05 11:52 PM

Orchid--if I may step gently in and off-the topic here. Could I ask you a
few questions about my recently adopted three cats? My email is


Thanks,
Jen

Jen M. wrote:
Really Barry?

Jen

We have four amazing indoor only cats, but over the past couple of years,
one of them has really become a bully to one of our other cats. Here's

[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
And you say he stuck his tongue out at your wife?
And she's fixing to kick him out of the house?



--
Message posted via CatKB.com
http://www.catkb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx...ealth/200506/1

John Doe June 10th 05 12:41 AM

If your cats have claws, the first thing you should do is clip
Brak's claws.

If your cats do not have claws, you should ask your mother for
further assistance.


"RobR" wrote:

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Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats.health+behav
Subject: cat is a bully
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We have four amazing indoor only cats, but over the past couple of years,
one of them has really become a bully to one of our other cats. Here's
our cat family:

Brak - Male 18lb - 5y old (the bully)
Warren (Braks brother) - Male 13lb - 5y old
Kaya - Female - 7lb - 10mo
Zena - Female - 10lb - 13y

Brak is probably the best lap cat/people bather (except he can't sit still
in
your lap for more than 30 seconds at a time before he has to readjust),
but he will NOT leave Zena alone. He traps her into corners and
behind the big TV and bites at and wrestles her. She screams and
yowls, she won't fight, she rolls over on her back which makes it even
easier for Brak to assault her. As you can see, he's almost twice her
weight.

Wife has had enough and had told me one of them has to go. We love them
all, Brak and Warren were inseperable which is why we adopted them both
(though they don't seem to be now, Brak jumps on him sometimes too and
****es him off). Zena is wife's cat from before our marriage.

More living space might help the problem, but right now we simply
don't have more space to give them. They're confined to the downstairs
which gives them 3 rooms. Wife doesn't trust them upstairs (except Kaya)
as they jump into baby's crib (Kaya is small enough to squeeze under the
gate blocking off the upstairs).

The plant sprayer doesn't deter Brak at all. He hates it but even after a
year of squirting him, he won't change his behavior. When he had her
trapped behind the TV the other day, he ignored my wife yelling at him
because he knew she couldn't get to him physically. She had to find the
water bottle and spray him to get him to leave Zena alone.

I don't want to get rid of Brak or Zena, but I'm not sure what I can do
to change Brak's behavior. Wife is at home all day and says it happens
several times a day. Any help greatly appreciated.










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