Hi! Admittedly I'm at my wits end. Here's why:
We fostered (and adopted) a kitten that was separated from his mother at 10 days old. We've raised him and he's a healthy 3 month old kitten now. But we are experiencing some very dominant agressive behaviors from him that is starting to drive us and our other adult cats up the wall.
As I said, Payton (kitten) is 3 months and has not yet been neutered. Our vet has recommended that we neuter and declaw him immediately. Katie (5 year old Dominant fixed-female) and Joey (4 year old Subordinate fixed female) are having socialization problems with him. He constantly attacks them in the litter boxes, chases after them, mounting and biting them. Katie now has a nickle sized bite wound on her back that he keeps reopening. *sigh*
I know that Payton didn't have the proper socialization because he wasn't brought up with littermates. We've tried play therapy and treat training and water bottles. Nothing seems to sink into this little guy. This afternoon we went out and purchased Feliway, which is supposed to relax them. I'm skeptical, but hoping for the best.
I guess I'm posting because I need reassurance! Or maybe hear if someone else has experienced any of this. I keep hearing that neutering should calm him down, but what if it doesn't? And I'm afraid to declaw him because at this point, DH and I aren't sure if we can keep him if he keeps injuring and stressing out our other cats.
We fostered (and adopted) a kitten that was separated from his mother at 10 days old. We've raised him and he's a healthy 3 month old kitten now. But we are experiencing some very dominant agressive behaviors from him that is starting to drive us and our other adult cats up the wall.
As I said, Payton (kitten) is 3 months and has not yet been neutered. Our vet has recommended that we neuter and declaw him immediately. Katie (5 year old Dominant fixed-female) and Joey (4 year old Subordinate fixed female) are having socialization problems with him. He constantly attacks them in the litter boxes, chases after them, mounting and biting them. Katie now has a nickle sized bite wound on her back that he keeps reopening. *sigh*
I know that Payton didn't have the proper socialization because he wasn't brought up with littermates. We've tried play therapy and treat training and water bottles. Nothing seems to sink into this little guy. This afternoon we went out and purchased Feliway, which is supposed to relax them. I'm skeptical, but hoping for the best.
I guess I'm posting because I need reassurance! Or maybe hear if someone else has experienced any of this. I keep hearing that neutering should calm him down, but what if it doesn't? And I'm afraid to declaw him because at this point, DH and I aren't sure if we can keep him if he keeps injuring and stressing out our other cats.
