When All Else Fails.....what Do I Do?

[patti511]

Have you tried using timeouts and negative reinforcement on the bullies? It might be best to start with the ringleader and keep the other two separarated for now and work in one at a time.
I had seven cats and my large dog for five years. My two youngest males bonded very strongly and started targeting the passive cats and relentlessly bullying two other cats, and constantly fighting with another dominant male cat. The youngest cat also relentlessly attacked my large dog, drawing blood and I was afraid my dog would snap and kill him.
I became very firm . I said no firmly, gave him a light tap more for indignance than anything else and put the youngest bully in the bathroom each and every time he attacked any cat or dog. He started running away and hiding, I tracked him down every time so he knew he couldn't outrun me and in the bathroom he went. I didn't let him out until he was quiet in there. Drama and crying and pounding got a firm tap on the door and a no and he stayed in longer. The other cat stopped bullying with just a no and seeing what happened to his buddy. I may have locked him up once or twice.
It took a few months for the youngest cat to stop attacking the dog but I was consistent and form that attacking was completely unacceptable and wouldn't be tolerated. I never left them alone together and praised both for peaceful time together with praise, pats and treats.
When I got a new dog I had to go through the whole process again. But he did bond closely to each dog eventually.
Some people may disagree with me but I have many years experience training dogs, cats and horses And this worked for meany times. I've never had to re-home an animal.

I have tried water pistols. And yelling NO. And putting the offender in another room. They revert back to the bullying behavior. I think I need to break up the pack. It’s really hard with 3 against 2. It’s out of control.

 

[danteshuman]

That was I talked about making there space extra secure (so no escapes and ambushes happen) and introducing your timid girls to one of the bullies ..... to break up their pack mentality. Heck if needed keep that third cat in a different room for a couple weeks while you work on the introductions.

I know I have said this many times but building up the victim cat’s confidence with one on one play.

 

[patti511]

That was I talked about making there space extra secure (so no escapes and ambushes happen) and introducing your timid girls to one of the bullies ..... to break up their pack mentality. Heck if needed keep that third cat in a different room for a couple weeks while you work on the introductions.

I know I have said this many times but building up the victim cat’s confidence with one on one play.

 

[patti511]

That sounds promising - splitting the bullies up. The only problem is... I only have one spare room. I suppose one can go in my bedroom, and one can stay in the already separated part of my house. I’ll try it for a few weeks. I wish my daughter was still away at school because her room would be secure. My bedroom is constantly being opened and I know whoever is in there will try to escape. I’ve got to try and figure something out. Thx!

 

[Mamanyt1953]

This is one of my "very last resort" things, but have you even considered medicating the bullies, even if temporarily? I've seen that work on more than one occasion, and after new patterns were WELL established, some were able to slowly wean their problem children off of the meds.

 

[patti511]

This is one of my "very last resort" things, but have you even considered medicating the bullies, even if temporarily? I've seen that work on more than one occasion, and after new patterns were WELL established, some were able to slowly wean their problem children off of the meds.

The three bullies were on Prozac for 6 months. No change. When I say I’ve tried nearly everything, I wasn’t kidding! :-).

 

[Kflowers]

this won't help with the cats, but might with the heat and cooling. First do not get a screen door, they aren't sturdy enough. Get a good wooden door, not the hollow kind. You will need to cut large sections out of the top and bottom, so you need the sides to be strong enough to continue being a door. Next buy from a hardware store, metal open work wire, it comes in different styles, we choose one that was little diamond shapes. It is not screening, it is flatten metal. Screw this over the openings in the door. It will allow air to pass through the door, but not cats.

The cats will be able to see each other, yell at each other and avoid each other. This is not to get them together, it is to help heat and cool your house. Been there, did this. I can't give you a solution because we got divorced and divided the cats by who could get along and who couldn't. Though it worked, I don't recommend this as a solution.

 

[saleri]

So what are your current plans?

Also why are you planning to rehome the three "bullies" instead of the two cats? I believed you mentioned the two were a bonded pair, but while tricky it isn't impossible to find someone willing to take in two cats.

Have you tried contacting other vets or other behavior specialists?

 

[Kflowers]

@pattie511 this is what we used on the door and on second story windows. Put the following in the search at Amazon. You may be able to find smaller openings. yes, a determined cat can get their paw in these holes, but should be able to get it out again.

Origin Point Garden Zone 36 Inches x 25 Feet 20-Gauge Poultry Netting with 1-Inch Openings

 

[patti511]

@pattie511 this is what we used on the door and on second story windows. Put the following in the search at Amazon. You may be able to find smaller openings. yes, a determined cat can get their paw in these holes, but should be able to get it out again.

Origin Point Garden Zone 36 Inches x 25 Feet 20-Gauge Poultry Netting with 1-Inch Openings

Thank you for your help!

 

[patti511]

So what are your current plans?

Also why are you planning to rehome the three "bullies" instead of the two cats? I believed you mentioned the two were a bonded pair, but while tricky it isn't impossible to find someone willing to take in two cats.

Have you tried contacting other vets or other behavior specialists?

I know this may not be viewed as correct by some, but the two timid cats have stolen our hearts. Not that I don’t love the bullies, but I can’t imagine my life without my sweet little Boopoo, and her friend, Millicent.

 

[saleri]

I know this may not be viewed as correct by some, but the two timid cats have stolen our hearts. Not that I don’t love the bullies, but I can’t imagine my life without my sweet little Boopoo, and her friend, Millicent.

Okay if you love those two over the other three that's perfectly fine. Best of luck! Have you tried certain cat groups on social media to try and rehome? Or even craglist?

 

[Talien]

Okay if you love those two over the other three that's perfectly fine. Best of luck! Have you tried certain cat groups on social media to try and rehome? Or even craglist?

Craigslist is a bad idea for rehoming pets, especially small animals like Cats or Rabbits. People who train fighting Dogs look for for animals being given away and will take them to use as "training material".

 

[saleri]

Craigslist is a bad idea for rehoming pets, especially small animals like Cats or Rabbits. People who train fighting Dogs look for for animals being given away and will take them to use as "training material".

If you communicate with the person enough, it's perfectly fine. I got both my cats from craglist.

 

[Furballsmom]

I got both my cats from craglist.

I know you did , but you were the good fortune situation for those cats and I'm incredibly grateful for their sakes that you were there.

Craigslist truly scares the daylights out of me for the reasons Talien described. They'll even show up with kids to make themselves look legitimate.

To the OP, I don't recall if this has been mentioned but rather than craigslist, you could try Nextdoor . com instead .

 

[patti511]

Okay if you love those two over the other three that's perfectly fine. Best of luck! Have you tried certain cat groups on social media to try and rehome? Or even craglist?

Okay if you love those two over the other three that's perfectly fine. Best of luck! Have you tried certain cat groups on social media to try and rehome? Or even craglist?

I currently have them up for adoption through a mom’s group in my area. I have been chatting with a very nice woman who lives a few blocks from me. She has 3 cats of her own, but is thinking of adopting my 2 bonded bullies on a “trial” basis. They may do well in an already established hierarchy. Or not. I’m going to her home tomorrow to meet her and her cats. Then she is coming to my home with her husband on Monday to meet me and my gang. I hope all goes well. Makes me sad, though. I just want them to be happy.

 

[Furballsmom]

 

[terestrife]

Do you have someone that could build you a catio? That could be the main home for the bullies if it is built well. Unless you live in an apartment.

 

[patti511]

I’ve thought of that - extending my den with a screened enclosure. Husband is against it, but maybe one day. Thx!

 

[Furballsmom]

What about a standalone big walk-in cage type of thing?