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2 male neutered cats, younger gets possessive if any toys are around. Hard-headed. Discipline advice?
Wallace: 1 year old, neutered male, had for 6 months
Neuton: 6 mo old, neutered male, had for 3 weeks
Both get along very well playing. Had an oddly quick bond.
However, if there is a toy around, Neuton monopolizes it. If Wallace gets too close or is watching, Neuton growls and hisses. They never fight because Wallace backs down. How do I handle/change this behavior? Wallace's favorite toys are currently on a high shelf gathering dust because I feel bad letting them play and having it turn into Newton playing with it and Wallace watching, pitifully. When toys are not around, or anything Newton deems a toy, they play and wrestle just fine. Newton just seems very possessive, but he is also hard-headed and I'm having difficulty getting him to lighten up. Otherwise, he is not aggressive at all.
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Wallace
on Jan 25th 2012
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in Behavior & Training
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Forget the word discipline when dealing with cats. Once you erase that word from your vocabulary, then we may be able to answer you.
Harvard
answered on 1/25/12.
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Have you tried playing WITH them with a laser light? This is not a physical thing that Neuton can posses and keep, it's just a light. When Neuton starts to covet the toys, pick Wallace up and give him some quality grooming or cuddle time. I doubt if you would since you don't sound like the sort, but one should never physically discipline or shriek at their cat. You haven't had Neuton for that long, and you can hope that Wallace will, as they say, figuratively "grow a set" and eventually put him in his place. Don't let Neuton harrass Wallace. Put him in another room in a "time out" if necessary. As the newcomer, Neuton should be learning the rules from Wallace, not the other way around. Do all you can, even ask your vet for advice, to help Wallace take his rightful place in your home.
Izadore (Izzie)
answered on 1/26/12.
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