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Cats/Tux vs Coon

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Expert: - 12/13/2009


Question
Norm.
Tux was using her litterbox, Coon heard, and immediately headed that way and commenced to start a fight, I broke it up, or should I just let them go at it.  Tux was cornered with no place to go.  Afterwards after Tux took high ground I tried to comfort her, well she didn't like that.  She started hissing and when I tried to touch her she swatted at and nailed me.  I ran Coon out of the room then closed the door.  Now this am she hides from me and if I do get close she growls or tries to swat again.  Does she find me a threat now since I was there during the fight.  Now as I sit typing she is on the table, letting me pet her,  or not.

When I take her food to the main dining area for the other two will she eventually find it or do I need to show her where it is?  Do I need to relocate the litter box now that Coon knows where it is,  was thinking about it anyway,   would have to show her the new spot?   Poor little thing I feel sad for her having a big bully pick on her all the time.

Answer
Kevin,

Recall, I said that any human interference is counter productive.  You must let them sort out their relationships on their own even though it may not be to your liking.  To me, the correct approach in the litter box incident was to leave it all alone.

As to relocating the litter box, yes show her where it is.

In time, Tux will be OK with you.  However, you will have to do it on her terms.  Let her approach you.  If she asks to be petted, then pet her.  

Again, be carful about ascribing human motives and emotions to cats, they do not think as we do!!!!!!!!!!

Best regards... Norm.  

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Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

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