Cat experts-Kitty problem-need some advice!!

[Lucky4me]

I have two cats. Lucy, who is two and George, who is a little over a year old.

George is the dominant one. Eats first, chases Lucy around, etc. He uses all three litter boxes we have, one on each floor.
Ever since George started using the boxes Lucy won't go near them. I even set up a fourth box and kept her in a room with it for a couple of days. She used it but when I let her back into the house, George went in that one too. Of course she won't go in it now. She does go outside, but now that it's cold she doesn't want to. She's gone on the carpet a couple of times and I can't tolerate that! I'm a lunatic about cleaning it up with my 'Natures Miracle' and I'm going broke buying the stuff.

Any advice on how to get George to stay out of her space? Or get her to go in the box even though he uses it?

Thanks for any help!!!

 

[Rajah]

Hmm... that's a tough one. Not sure how to help you there, other than recommending you take this question to the cats board, think like a cat board, or litterbox issues board (think like a cat would probably be most helpful) on www.ivillage.com -- good luck!!

Or, if you want me to post it for you, just let me know.

 

[Lucky4me]

Rajah, that would be great if you could post it! I am registered there but I've never posted. I have no idea what my username or password is... Thanks!!!

 

[korzmom]

was just wondering, is george neutered????

 

[Rajah]

Okay, posted to both cats and think like a cat.

 

[Lucky4me]

Yes George was neutered at 4 months. He's just a very domineering cat. Also quite mean. The meanest cat I've ever had. He only lets my husband pet him. Anyone else tries and they get their arm ripped off. I have to tell everyone who comes into my home to be careful around him. A few cat lovers didn't listen and got scratched up and bit. The vet said she never saw such an ornery cat either. They have to wear long leather gloves when handling him and also sedate him for the simplest procedures.

I won't get rid of him because I love him like one of my children. I bonded with him when he was just two weeks old. Every great once in awhile he'll grant me permission to scratch behind his ears, and sits in my lap. He is who he is, but I wish he'd leave his sisters litter box alone!

Thanks for posting that question Rajah, you're the best! I think I'll go over and see if I can find it.....

 

[shortbun]

I get what you are saying about loving George but...
poor Lucy is being abused by him and someone needs
to help her-you. We had this situation in our house a
few years ago. Male dominated female, female began to
show signs of psyche trauma. I outlawed the male from
certain parts of the house and let him know his behavior
was not appreciated when I could. I even fed them in
separate places because the female was so small...at 3
years old she finally began gaining weight and her
personality changed because "Mike" wasn't being allowed
to torture her anymore. My sister's two cats'Tigger and Rue(female is Rue) do the same thing. They are inside cats and
DS has to give Rue her very own space or Tigger eats all
the food, uses all the boxes, keeps Rue pinned. You are
the boss-don't let George abuse Lucy. Get another box and
make an all out effort to keep him out of it or send Lucy to
a home where she can be the only cat and enjoy life.

 

[Lucky4me]

That makes sense SB. I'm not sure how I could keep George confined to a part of the house. He's destroyed every carpet in each room at every door from scratching to get out or in. If I kept him in one room he'd surely destroy the whole thing. Maybe I'll have to do it with Lucy. She was okay when I kept her in our room for a few days, but she did cry to get out. **sigh** I don't want to give either of them away but if I can't work this out and I have to, it's going to be George, not Lucy. She was here first. DH will probably disagree with that since George is 'his' baby, but I won't let Lucy go.

 

[lisajl]

Hi,
I work for a vet and there is a plug in called Feliway diffuser.

It's kinda like a glade plug in, but it has "happy" phermones for cats.
You might want to talk to your vet about it.

Lisajl

 

[korzmom]

some people might think this cruel, but, what if you get george declawed? lucy now has the upper hand....see what i'm getting at? my two cats are both declawed both neutered,they are brothers from the same litter so i call them 2out of triplets, but the runt (boomer) is the dominent one, he pushes his way to the food first and the bigger one (romeo) just sits there and waits other than that they get along very well, getting them declawed is traumatic at first, but mine were back to theyre normal selves after 1 day....good luck with some tough decisions..

 

[Rajah]

Okay, the cat behavioralist on Think Like A Cat responded. Here's a link:

http://boards2.ivillage.com/messages/get/ptthinkcat204/26/1.html

I've found her advice in the past to work very well about 90% of the time. Good luck!!

 

[Lucky4me]

Thanks Rajah! She had a lot of advice I hadn't thought of. Especially the litter boxes. They are all covered and next to walls.
I think I'll try to find a kitty calmer too.

Maybe there's hope for George yet!