Toy hog

My 8 month old, Cobalt, likes to play with pole toys with me, but as soon as my 11 month old, Rigby, who's the dominate cat, joins in the play, Cobalt just stops showing interest.... Even when I try to engage him with the toy right near or on him... Cobalt seems to think of toys as his and Rigby's. He won't play with a toy that Rigby enjoys. I try to switch between a toy Rigby likes and a toy Cobalt likes, but Cobalt just sort of losses interest and sits there kind of depressed looking. =/ I hate to separate them and lock Rigby in the bedroom. Any ideas on how to deal with this and get Cobalt to play more?

I'm so sorry you haven't gotten a reply yet!  Sometimes posts do fall through the cracks but not usually for so long.  Did you ever figure out a way to encourage Cobalt to play even when Rigby joins the fun?  From what I've read, this kind of thing is not uncommon, especially with wand toys, and it's usually recommended that you play with each cat separately.  I don't know if this would work or not, but you might playing with two identical wand toys at once.  Having said that, I know if I tried it, I would end up tied up in string so I don't know how practical it is but it's the only thing I can think of.   

If you do end up separating Cobalt (great name, btw) and Rigby, you might consider getting a battery run interactive toy to put in the bedroom with Rigby so he still has something to play with.  This might distract him from worrying about how much fun Cobalt and you are having without him.  I have this toy, which my cats love.



It's pricey at $18.00 but it seems to be well made and doesn't topple over.  

It sounds like a simple dominance issue to me - especially as Rigby is the older as well as the more dominant cat. Things may well change over the next few months, as when Cobalt enters the adolescent phase he may well challenge Rigby more.

In the meantime, margd 's suggestion of two toys at once could work well. Another option that might work especially if Rigby is highly food motivated) would be to set up a puzzle toy for Rigby (with something extra yummy - Purebites style freeze dried treats can be a good kibble alternative if you don't feed kibble) so Cobalt can get some quality playtime.

Also, in my experience, different cats have different favourite toys. If you can find one that Cobalt loves but that doesn't get Rigby excited it may be easier to give Cobalt one on one play without Rigby muscling in.

Thanks for caring enough to reply guys! I was reading a cat behavior book and it said that multiple cats have to be separated, so that's what I been doing. Cobalt is more active in the morning & afternoon, where Rigby likes to sleep. So I just put him in the bedroom and put on some music to drown out the sounds of our playing (as per what the book said). It's been working well. I don't separate them when it's Rigby's turn to play though cause Cobalt still enjoys running behind Rigby as he runs for a toy and he enjoys watching him too.

Columbine, I have noticed Cobalt trying to challenge Rigby more, playfully of course. Interesting that you mentioned that. Also, yeah, Cobalt has his favorites. Rigs gets into everything though, haha.

I do like that toy suggestion though, Margd; I may get it. It says it's $23.99 for me though. o.o I wonder why...

Jahzara said:

 
Thanks for caring enough to reply guys! I was reading a cat behavior book and it said that multiple cats have to be separated, so that's what I been doing. Cobalt is more active in the morning & afternoon, where Rigby likes to sleep. So I just put him in the bedroom and put on some music to drown out the sounds of our playing (as per what the book said). It's been working well. I don't separate them when it's Rigby's turn to play though cause Cobalt still enjoys running behind Rigby as he runs for a toy and he enjoys watching him too.

Columbine, I have noticed Cobalt trying to challenge Rigby more, playfully of course. Interesting that you mentioned that. Also, yeah, Cobalt has his favorites. Rigs gets into everything though, haha.

I do like that toy suggestion though, Margd; I may get it. It says it's $23.99 for me though. o.o I wonder why...

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That's weird about the toy being more expensive.  I thought it was a bit much at $18.00 but have to admit, I would still get it because it is Chula's "go to" toy when she gets bored.