Need Advice - Male Cat a bully!

I have two cats, male, Brandon and female, Kabou. They have been living together, with me, for almost 2 years and both will be 3 years old this spring. I had Kabou first, then adopted Brandon. They are spayed and neutered. Brandon has always seemed jealous of Kabou and is very needy and clingy. I try my best to give both of them equal attention. Kabou is just a sweet loving girl who enjoys playing and running and cuddling when Brandon "isn't pushing her around" which seems be most of the time anymore.

Here are my concerns: He jumps on her and bites her neck, she rolls over onto her back and then he bites and puts his front paw on her chest and will not let her up. She screams and hisses. He weighs twice as much as she does. I have to finally break it up. If she is enjoying a toy or whatever, he charges her and takes it away. For the last couple of months he seems to charge her no matter where she is. She literally has to run from one piece of furniture to the next to stay away from him. He is now starting to charge her at the litter box and even sometimes guards it, which is not good.

I know this is a dominance thing, but what can I do to make it better? I've tried ignoring the behavior, distracting him, clapping my hands to break it up, but it seems to be getting worse. Thanks in advance for any advice.

He sounds like a very dominate alpha. Have you tried something like Feliway? I love that stuff.

I used Feliway when he first came to us but the diffuser bit the dust. Sounds like I need to buy a new one and see if that helps. Thanks!

And make sure you have at least 2 or more litterboxes in your house.

It sounds counter intuitive, but often the dominant cat lays on their backs during fights so that they can fully work all 4 feet during the fight. Perhaps Kabou is more dominant than you think and Brandon has finally had enough of it?

Momofmany,

I'll be sure to put out another litter box. You brought up an interesting point....I think Kabou and Brandon sometimes switch back and forth on the dominant issue. She gets fed first, just because I had her first and that's the routine, she tends to hang out on the higher places where she can look down, and gets the most attention although she isn't as needy (affection wise) as Brandon. But Brandon blocks the hallway, doorways, etc., me, toys, etc. Thanks, Cris

Originally Posted by Crt

You brought up an interesting point....I think Kabou and Brandon sometimes switch back and forth on the dominant issue. She gets fed first, just because I had her first and that's the routine, she tends to hang out on the higher places where she can look down, and gets the most attention although she isn't as needy (affection wise) as Brandon. But Brandon blocks the hallway, doorways, etc., me, toys, etc. Thanks, Cris

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My alpha cat has been ill for about 18 months now and was starting to lose his status in the house. In order to reinforce his alpha role, I've done with him what you are doing for Kabou: feed him first in a preferred spot and give him loads of attention. He makes the preferred cat condo his own where he can look down on everyone. A lot of people won't agree with me, but you can have an influence on the pecking order in your house. Sometimes the lower ranked ones will get frustrated by it and lash back.