Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/29/2008

Question
I have 2 cats-Jezebel is 7 years, had her since she was 12 weeks, was an only cat until we adopted Casey, 1 1/2 years old, 5 months ago from a large rescue group.  Within 2 weeks, they were sleeping together on my bed.  About 2 weeks ago, I noticed that Jezebel was only sleeping in a corner near the front door, never in her cat tree anymore, and Casey seemed to adopt her old spot (we had bought a new cat tree when we adopted him, neither one was using it).  After a week of paying more attention to sleeping arrangements, (I also have 2 human children under 4 years old), I started to remove Casey from Jezebel's original spot and put her back in it.  She has been the non dominant cat since her new feline brother, but Casey hasn't really been dominant per se, more like opportunistic.  For example, when jezebel is eating, he will walk over sniff her food, she will walk away. I realized that the favored tree had a Bowl type bed at the top, while the ignored one had platforms, so i put a large wicker basket with a blanket on it, now it is being used by the intended cat (usually).  I also started feeding Jezebel first, then Casey when she is done.  One week of this, and jezebel climbs her tree on her own again, but I am worried that I might be causing their power dynamic to go out of whack. Am I doing the right thing? Thank you in advance for your time.

Answer
Christine,

Cats set their own pecking order. Casey probably, in kitty language, determined that he was the head of the pecking order and Jezebel understands and goes along with it. That is normal behavior.

As far as sleeping arrangements go, my cats frequently change their favorite sleeping spot. I wouldn't worry. You can always put catnip on the platform bed. I bet Casey will go to it then.

Don't be alarmed. You aren't going to harm your cat's psyche. They will do what they want to anyway.

Tabbi