Maybe it's because he is the smaller of the two or maybe he just has the more dominant personality, whatever the reason, Albert is being a huge pain in the butt. Don't get me wrong, with me he is still cuddle puffs and sweetness, but poor Elvis just can't catch a break. Wherever Elvis is, Al is 3 steps behind and probably mid-pounce. If Elvis jumps on the chair to sleep, Albert jumps on top of Elvis. Elvis gets down...Albert sits for two seconds and then he gets down too. THIS HAPPENS ALL DAY LONG. Really. ALL DAY!
Plus, Albert is kinda rough. He bites, scratches and pounces and the result is a scabby chin or bloody ear for El. If Elvis fought back maybe I wouldn't be so concerned, but Elvis isn't a fighter...period.
Which isn't to say they don't sometimes get along. I woke up this morning and Albert was giving Elvis a bath.
So, my question is, do I keep stepping in or do I butt out? I hate that Elvis hides in a cubby on the bookshelf, but I also hate constantly shoo-ing Albert away from his brother.
Why can't they both just get along?! Is this just the way of things? Am I interfering in the natural process of the Animal Kingdom? Do you guys have any guidance or suggestions? I keep hoping this is a phase..what do you think?
13 comments:
LOL, I would let them alone.. Eventually the little one will either get sick of it or just sit back ...Could this just be an act to drive u nuts??? lol
Undoubtedly!
I'd let it alone for a little bit longer...but make sure that they both get some private lovins and play (if you can)...there might be some jealousy thing going on between them. As long as there's no actual HUGE injuries I'd wait it out.
Ditto what Katnip Lounge wrote. My Annie and Nicki don't get along most of the time, both vying for dominance and neither backing down. This has been going on for over 3 years, actually.
I would assume that Albert is doing the same, asserting his dominance.
But you could try those "calming collars," pheromone-scented collars that last about a month. A number of bloggers around the CB are using them with great success.
Noodle is just a brat and Olive is the sweetest thing. So Olive gets the short end of the stick a lot. Sometimes I use the spray bottle on Noodle when she is mean to Olive; sometimes she gets put in time out (closed in the bedroom). Noodle knows what she's doing wrong and she knows why she is being punished. Cats are smarter than a lot of people give them credit for. Noodle will get this look in her eye, and I know she's getting ready to pounce. I'll say to Noodle, "Don't even think about it" and I'll snap my fingers and point at her. She knows. Not to say she always listens to my warning. It does my heart good when I see the tables turned and Olive chasing Noodle though!
Mine aren't littermates and Noodle was an only-child pre-Olive -- I think that's from where her jealousy stems.
I was once in your boat. I had two boys from the same litter - Romulus and Remus. Remy was the smaller and the torturer. I caught him sneaking up on his brother. Remy knocked Romy into the toilet. Trouble was Remy's middle name. I left them to sort it out but if things got too rough I was there in a heart beat. I also made sure they got dedicated time. I think they will settle and they will be fine.
If I see rough play turning sour, I clap my hands at my cats and they usually retreat to their separate corners. They occasionally get the bitey on each other.
A couple of times I've caught my youngest cat sneaking up on his sleeping sisters - I also use the finger snap and the mama-cat point-and-look. It seems to divert him.
We deal with a napoleon as well. We've tried Feliway spray, a water spray bottle and this: http://www.spiritessence.com/?action=product&act=view&id=58 Nothing seemed to work and we finally had to put him on Prozac, which just takes the edge off. He was making our other kitties miserable, but things are much better now.
I guess I am bucking the trend here, but I would recommend taking Albert to the vet just for a check. I live in a household of four cats, including one very alpha male cat, Nikolai. Periodically, Nikolai picks on the other cats more than typical. I've learned that he often does this when he has a medical problem. Most recently, he was picking on the lowest cat on the totem pole. I took him into the vet and wouldn't you know, he had inflamed gums and a minor infection. A treatment of antibiotics later, and he is back to being alpha, but not picking on the other cats unnecessarily.
Two boys ALWAYS means fights. It's the Alpha Male thing. A water bottle is a good way to break up a tiff without taking sides. No warning, just squirt. Maine Coons are very, very, very smart. Question - who gets fed first? Who get sgreeted first at the door? Since Albert is asserting his top cat place, make sure he's the one fed and greeted. Then give Elvis TONS of cuddles.
Talking to the vet is not a bad idea. Even if it is to find out this is okay.
I don't have any advice. I just had to say how much I love this photo of Albert's gloriously bright eyes! He's a handsome albeit naughty boy :D
And how funny that my verification word is "onsub"... not a far cry from "unsub" on Criminal Minds (that's the term they use for the suspect/serial killer they are hunting) hehe.
I have a brother and sister cat that are four years old now. At about the age of 1 1/2 the boy kitty really started picking on the girl kitty to a point where I really worried about what he did when I wasn't home. My little girl kitty is much smaller and much more timid so of course I was worried and felt that my big boy kitty needed some sort of distraction. We got another kitty and she has been living successfully amongst the other two for two years now. She loves to play with the boy and although sometimes they still do pick on the little girl the mix is a much better one. I think that it would be a good change for the kitties to have another friend but understand that it will take a little time for them both to get used to the new inhabitant and even if things aren't going right immediately... don't worry... I think it will be better for your kids in the long run! Good luck!
Oy. At my house it's three female felines. The smallest cat--3 yr old Tiger Lily has been alpha kitty since we got her at 8 weeks old. I believe she is part feral. She dominates the 13 yr old female, and usually terrorizes the new addition-an 8 yr old female who is twice her size. I've been using the water spray but will try that pheromone collar as suggested.
Andrea in Calif
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