Where did this come from? Chunk's dominating behavior

[Tina B and crew]

I have no idea why this all of the sudden started, but in the last week or so we have noticed Chunk has become obsessed with mounting Lucy. She puts up a fuss, hisses, growls, and runs. Sometimes she turns and chases him and when she does he runs and hides. But it has become his focus morning, noon, and night. They don't really fight and usually Lucy is pretty good at getting away from him, but he's become very insistent and he's so much bigger than she is. I'm not sure what the best way to handle it is. Distracting him works, but I can't logically spend all day here distracting him with a toy. Should I utilize the water bottle? I don't won't her to get to the point that she feels she has to avoid him. So far they had been getting along splendidly.

[slvrwhispr]

Do you have a lot of strays running around outside? If there's a female cat in heat somewhere nearby, Chunk could be hearing it or smelling it, and Lucy's his only outlet.

Just do your best to block the behaviour. The squirt bottle might be a good tool, but I, personally, would just separate the cats and give Chunk a good, firm NO. I was able to curb a lot of Emmy's aggression towards Izzy simply by standing between the two cats and being stern with Emmy. Showed that she's not in charge and her behaviour was not acceptable.

'Course, if it keeps up, default advice is visit the vet for a check-up. Never know what causes the critters to go bonkers every so often.

[Tina B and crew]

Nope silver...no strays around here much. We have one cat that we see, a neighbors cat, but rarely anywhere close to the house. I would guess a lot of strays here have encounters with coyotes

I've been doing the NO! part and separating them. Maybe I'm not consistent or persistent enough. Started using the water bottle this morning and it seems to do the job better..that and toys. If I see what he's up to I'll just redirect him and tell him no. Once he's mounted I'll use the water bottle. Only problem with that is I get Lucy too, so I don't like that option. She can even be napping and he will jump on her. I know it's a play for dominance. I've told him to give it up because he no longer has what it takes

Lucy doesn't seem any worse for the wear right now, but I'd really like to avoid that if I can.

[Traci]

I recommend using the squirt bottle, combined with saying his name, i.e., "NO, Chunk", that way, Lucy knows the command is not intended for her. When you say their name with the command, they do in fact recognize the intent.

If you just say "NO", then they will test you and see how much they can get away with.

He probably already knows by now that anytime the squirt bottle is used, it is for reprimanding. Eventually, you want the goal to be only having to grab and shake the squirt bottle, not actually have to squirt it, they do get the message.

Yes, you do have to be consistent when dealing with a particular behavior or change in behavior.

[Tina B and crew]

Thanks Traci...I usually do use his name when I say no, and yes, he knows the what the squirt bottle is for and I don't always have to squirt, so hopefully that will nip it in the bud. A couple uses of the squirt bottle this morning and a change of out available toys has seemed to calm him down.

[Traci]

And that's the key, attempts to nip in the bud immediately before it escalates.

Remember too, cats go through stages similar to kids and teens, the terrible-two's, the defiant stage, the independant stage, etc. Most of the time, you must allow them to be who they are, but boundaries do need to be set so that aggressive behavior toward another cat is not allowed.

Try not to fret too much, one or two of my adult males still do the mounting thing on rare occasion, I simply interupt the behavior by separating the cats for a few minutes, the male(s) usually forget what they were doing I think it is just a temporary feeling of excitement, boredom or just to assert dominance - it's a male thing.

[Tina B and crew]

I wish I could say Chunk forgets about it. But I can see the wheels constantly turning. However, the "Chunk, NO!" is working. I don't even have to say it too sternly right now, just say it and he stops, however I can see him watching her and thinking "as soon as mommy turns her back"

And how do I stop it when they cats are home alone?

[Cleo]

I'm a firm believer and user of the water squirt bottle. So much to the point where if I see Riley for instance following Keeks and about to antagonize her like he does, I pick it up, call his name, give it a shake and he goes running. They are trained to the point where I don't even have to squirt them. Unless I'm too late to the situation in the other room. Then I give the guilty cat a firm NO! <name> and a squirt.

Walmart or dollar stores have cheap enough ones where you can have multiples ready at hand.

[Tambrey]

Eventually, you want the goal to be only having to grab and shake the squirt bottle, not actually have to squirt it, they do get the message.

This is pretty much all I need to do any more! It works!

[Traci]

Tina, you just have to be the "enforcer" when you're home - it should only take a few times before he gets that it is unacceptable.

As Cleo and Tambrey have also said, you WILL get to that eventual point where all you have to do is pick up the squirt bottle and shake it. All of my cats know exactly what it's for, even if it hasn't been used for some time, they never forget.

I think with Chunk, it just might be one of those "stages", be patient but be consistent. On an another note, be sure it isn't that he is vying for your attention, if he is, do something with him he enjoys most (like a special play session just with him - or some play with his favorite toy/activity).