Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   For the past few days, it seems like my Panda Orson is losing what little dignity he has left. He's always been at the bottom of the dominance chain, pretty much because he's only 8lbs compared to his 12lb and 13lb brothers. He's also really quiet and I think he'd shine if the house had less creatures to bother him... but anyways on to why Charlie's got me thinking...
   Charlie, who is 4 months, and 5lbs, is starting to get up on Panda (Tiger and Mylo both get Charlie on the ground faster than anything else) but Panda doesn't fight back. Instead, I hear "aaahh hhheeellppp" from Panda. When I look over at them, Charlie's jumping all around biting at Panda. Panda will then run off with Charles on his tail.

   If Charlie "dominates" Panda, can Panda get sad from it?? I feel bad for him because he's my little man and I don't want him to be upset because his 4month old brother is beating him up.

   And my second question is about Charlie's food. He'll be 6 months in February and he'll be neutered then too. I've been wondering if I should switch him over to adult food when he's neutered, or wait until he's a year old.
   I've read arguments for both sides, but I don't know how credible the people are, so I thought I'd see what you guys do.
   A person said to switch when they're neutered because they don't need as many calories.
   But the Wellness cans and bags say to feed up to 1 year old. (I wasn't sure if that was a ploy to get me to keep overpaying for the smaller cans)

   OOoOo One more question to go along with the food one. I'm almost out of Wellness Dry Kitten food, and I was wondering if I should buy another bag, or allow Charles to eat adult formula. We feed the Chicken soup for kitty souls or something like that. Wellness CORE was becoming too expensive (it said both kittens and adults could eat it), and Mylo didn't like regular Wellness Dry.

   Thanks guys!

   Posted 3 years ago by Niki and Charlie #

2. 

   {{{Panda}}} I'm very sorry that you are going thru this..I have on a smaller scale some of that with Betty, although I know Blackbeard is mostly just playing, sometimes he plays too rough and he is about 3 times her size...I have made sure that Betty has a retreat that the other kitties can't reach her..there is a small opening that in a linen cupboard that she can get into that the others can not!!Now if they bully her she has a place to go!
   Sorry I'm not sure about the food issue, I switched Blackbeard at about 7 months when he was fixed but kept Betty on it longer since she was feral and very underweight. Once she was a healthy weight I switched her.

   Posted 3 years ago by 2bpurring #

3. 

   Poor little Charlie...I'm afraid I don't know what to say on that one because I've got four cats who are 1 1/2 yrs. old and it appears the competition between sibblings is really showing it's wear n' tear on my timid little Sugarfoot. Shady has really intimidated her to the point now where she's afraid to come back home. She's just too peace loving to endure his rambunctiousness. I haven't seen her since Thurs. and am hoping she'll sneak back in soon. I'm thinking of revoking her outdoor priviledges and separating her from Shady til she calms back down some and realizes she can come here and be safe. Good Luck with your little Charlie.

   Posted 3 years ago by Karenopa #

4. 

   Making a small cubby hole for Panda is a good idea. If none of the bigger cats can fit into it, he'll have a 'safe' place to go to. The biggest problem I can see with that solution is that the other cats could make it into a prison for Panda Orson if they block the only way out. You might have to be rather inventive in providing him with two ways in (and out) of his sanctuary.

   So far as the food goes, the vet can give you the best advice based on how big Charlie is and how close he is to adulthood. Some breeds develop a little more slowly and need the extra protein and calories to fully develop.

   Whatever the vet advises, don't just cut the old food off all at once. It's much easier on their digestive systems (and your floors) if you mix the old and new foods together for a while.

   Posted 3 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #

5. 

   I think it might be a good idea for you to keep a bottle of water around and sqirt the cats when they are aggressive with Panda. You need to make sure you don't hit Panda though. It is important when you use a squirt bottle that the cats do not see where it is coming from. Try and get behind them when you squirt so they don't associate you with the water. If they know it is you doing the squirting they will still do it but they will wait until you aren't in the room.

   If they can associate jumping on Panda with the unpleasant experience of getting soaked, maybe they will stop doing it.

   Posted 3 years ago by petpntr #

6. 

   I'm sorry about Sugarfoot, Karen. I hope she makes her way home soon! I could never let Panda O outside without a harness because the one time he ran out he became so sparatic (I think that's the word) or just crazy that I could barely get him inside.
   I'll talk to the vet next time we go. Too bad I wasn't thinking about it last time we were there! I swear I went several times in November, but of course it never came up...
   As for a "cubby hole," how can I make him something like that?? I can only picture like a little box with a small opening, but even if I made something like that, he couldn't get away from Charles since he's still a little baby monster.
   I wish my mom would let me put holes in the doors/walls, but I made a cat door in my room several years ago and got in a ton of trouble. (It was just a hole I made with a hammer and duct take for a flap and to cover the sharp edges, nothing store-bought)
   I wonder if I could use area under the steps, although if we walk down them I would think he'd freak out??
   Thanks for the help guys! I know I can always count on you when I need to figure something out!

   Posted 3 years ago by Niki and Charlie #

7. 

   Karen, I send prayers for Sugarfoot. I have had same kind of issues with Miska bullying the other kits and I haven't been able to stop it completely.

   I offer my prayers for Panda too. It is very important to create a safe haven for the underdog and let him/her feel love and safety too.

   Posted 3 years ago by miu #

8. 

   Would it be good for me to comfort Panda O after Charlie tries to dominate him?? I wish he'd just fight back and show Charles that he isn't going to let him win, but alas, my Panda's a lover.
   I just don't know if Panda wants me to love up on him after such bonding with Charlie. Panda Orson, (which means "Little Fish") is scared of everything, and only wants attention when he comes for it, so that's one of the reasons I don't know if I should go "hunting" for him. He usually runs when I approach him anyways.

   Posted 3 years ago by Niki and Charlie #

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