Expert: Dear Tabbi - 2/21/2009

Question
Hello Tabi,

About 4 months ago we rescued a 2 year old male cat (Sam)from a shelter. This cat has been introduced slowly to his 4 year old shy...timid...rescued feral cat (Maggie). All in all they are ok....Sam is super dominant...and Maggie is accepting. Outside the house he chases her...of course there is plenty of room..and I think she enjoys the action. Inside the same play and chasing around ocasionly leads to a blow up/fight. I think because she is sort of cornered. No one has been hurt yet. We respond by locking him up in his room for a timeout. Any comments?

Litter Box. When Sam moved in..his room of course had a litter box. Following his introduction...full access to the outside and house...he has continued to use his litter box. He is TERRIBLY MESSY around the box. Questions...If we take the box away...will he go outside? Is there a way to better train him to go outside ie....put the box outside?

Thank You

Answer
Barn,

I would switch time-outs. You don't want her learn how to 'get rid of him' for awhile by starting a fight. I just yell "knock it off" and stamp my feet. They learn by association that their behave displeases you. Or use a rolled up newspaper. It doesn't hurt them, but the noise scares them. Make sure you pet them in a little while because you want them to be afraid to get over rambunctious in the house, but not be afraid of you.

Once a cat is used to using a litterbox inside it is difficult to get them to go outside only. And it is dangerous to let the cats out at night when the most predators are out and about. I would at least have a litterbox inside at night. A covered litterbox cuts down on a lot of mess, though a lot of cats don't like them because they can't see anything coming and that makes them nervous.

Tabbi