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