Litter box domination

[hvp05]

I have two girls, one 7 years old (Ebony) and the other 6 (Ashlynn). The younger one is the much more dominant personality, as she has been from about the week after I brought her home. Ashlynn will push Ebony away from the food bowl if Ebony is eating and generally boss Ebony around. Most of the time, they avoid each other.

The one area where Ashlynn is most assertive - almost aggressive - is the litter box. I did a quick google and saw that one cat blocking the other from the litter box is a common problem, but that is not so in our case.

Ashlynn will let Ebony use it okay, but once she comes out, Ashlynn will pounce on her. She will sit behind a box or behind the sofa and jump on Ebony or chase after her.

I have noticed that, when she exits the box, Ebony is always paranoid if/when Ashlynn will jump. If I see it coming, I will distract Ashlynn or get in her way because I don't want Ebony to be bullied. Yet I know I can't be there every time.

Anyone else have this issue? Is this dynamic something that can be changed? Am I right to step in or should I let them smack it out?

 

[Speed Racer]

We had a similar problem with one of our male (but neutered) cats. It is a dominance issue and if you don’t correct it quickly, you’ll have the problem of the less dominant cat refusing to use the litter box altogether. I’d try getting a second litter box, and if that doesn’t alleviate the problem, then you may want to get one or more plug-in pheromone units to help “calm” her behavior.

 

[Bay_Kat]

Never had the problem, thank goodness.

 

[cattitude]

I have some cats that will wait for another cat to finish and then the chase is on but they're playing.

If you have two cats, you need at least two litter boxes...do you only have one?

 

[Bay_Kat]

I have some cats that will wait for another cat to finish and then the chase is on but they're playing.

If you have two cats, you need at least two litter boxes...do you only have one?

I have 4 cats, one litter box, but what I use is one of those huge totes that have the wheels. It's deeper than a normal cat box and holds a large bag of litter, I scoop it every day and change it once a week, people come in and say they can't tell I have 4 indoor cats. I keep it in the back corner of the laundry room, curtained off with a shower curtain, so you don't see it either. There's never even litter outside the box. Not sure how that happens, but it's working for me.

 

[hvp05]

if you don’t correct it quickly, you’ll have the problem of the less dominant cat refusing to use the litter box altogether.

Like I said, they're each several years old; I have had Ebony since she was ~1 and Ashlynn since leaving her mom. Ebony has shown no signs of not using the box, which is why I haven't worried too much about it... but if it could be corrected, I would like to try.

you may want to get one or more plug-in pheromone units to help “calm” her behavior.

There's an idea. Ashlynn is generally hyper; she gets the late-night crazies regularly, darting all around.

If you have two cats, you need at least two litter boxes...do you only have one?

No, two; considering a third.

what I use is one of those huge totes that have the wheels

I saw something similar while searching yesterday. A lady took a Sterilite bin, cut a door, and uses that in place of the traditional hooded box, which she felt 'confined' the cats too much.

 

[Bay_Kat]

All four of mine could get into this one with room to spare if they wanted to, but it's funny, I walk into the laundry sometimes and there is a line for the litter box.

 

[crazykitty]

I would definately get another litter box. My cats always pounce on eachother coming out of the litterbox but they are just playing.

 

[ArkRescue]

I'd offer to come over for a consultation with you, but if I did, by the time I left you'd probably have 3 cats (Goliath) LOL

I have two girls, one 7 years old (Ebony) and the other 6 (Ashlynn). The younger one is the much more dominant personality, as she has been from about the week after I brought her home. Ashlynn will push Ebony away from the food bowl if Ebony is eating and generally boss Ebony around. Most of the time, they avoid each other.

The one area where Ashlynn is most assertive - almost aggressive - is the litter box. I did a quick google and saw that one cat blocking the other from the litter box is a common problem, but that is not so in our case.

Ashlynn will let Ebony use it okay, but once she comes out, Ashlynn will pounce on her. She will sit behind a box or behind the sofa and jump on Ebony or chase after her.

I have noticed that, when she exits the box, Ebony is always paranoid if/when Ashlynn will jump. If I see it coming, I will distract Ashlynn or get in her way because I don't want Ebony to be bullied. Yet I know I can't be there every time.

Anyone else have this issue? Is this dynamic something that can be changed? Am I right to step in or should I let them smack it out?

 

[luvscats]

I'd get another litter box plus the pheromone stuff.

Some people say the pheromone stuff doesn't work for their kitties but it does wonders for mine for aggression and litter box problems.

Good luck!

 

[hvp05]

All four of mine could get into this one with room to spare if they wanted to

Among the tips I read from the lady whose site I found, was to make sure the litter is deep enough to ensure it can catch and clump all the urine before hitting the bottom, so as to prevent gunk on the box itself. One of mine pees in the exact same spot every time: against the front side of the box. So the litter could be a foot deep and she would still make a mess.

I'd offer to come over for a consultation with you

Please do! I'd love to see your reaction after I give you directions to get here!

I'd get another litter box plus the pheromone stuff.

I tried a calming product once and it seemed to have little to no effect. May be worth trying this though.

 

[ArkRescue]

uh oh - either you live in a swamp or FAR away .... or both?

Please do! I'd love to see your reaction after I give you directions to get here!

 

[hvp05]

FAR away

Try here - give or take a few dozen miles.

 

[ArkRescue]

Piece of cake - you meet me halfway and I'll transfer Goliath to you.

Try here - give or take a few dozen miles.

 

[hvp05]

Piece of cake - you meet me halfway and I'll transfer Goliath to you.

I thought I was getting a consultation. Now I'm getting a cat?

 

[ArkRescue]

You'll get your consultation at the nearest coffee shop at the half-way point - then I'll send you and Goliath on your way

I thought I was getting a consultation. Now I'm getting a cat?