Attack of the Fat Orange Tabby Cat

[Rhonda Dunaway]

I have a question for someone who has more cat experience than I do. I've had dogs my whole life, so I feel a lot more confident dealing with them. But, I've had my first, and so far only, cat just a couple of years, so his behavior is still often a mystery to me.

At night, my cat, Monty, sleeps in the bed with me, and my dog, Kirby sleeps on the floor next to the bed. Every night between 11:50 and 11:51 p.m. (I'm not kidding), Monty leaps out of the bed and onto a sleeping Kirby. Being jolted out of a deep sleep, Kirby doesn't handle the situation very well, and a scuffle generally ensues, with me having to break it up. I'll tell Kirby, who's a German Shepherd, "Hey, you weigh five times as much as that cat does. You don't have to put up with this. You could put an end to this right now if you wanted to. Don't let him dominate you!" He just looks at me with his baleful brown eyes as if to say, "I'm 14-years old, and I just want to nap and enjoy my golden years, but this interloper you brought in has ruined everything for me, so what are you going to do about it? '

Any thoughts? I would really appreciate some ideas on how to handle this one.

Rhonda Dunaway

[Moderator]

Well, there are a couple of things that might be the cause. The first is that Monty regards this time as his bonding time with you, and resents Kirby being there.

Or it could be that Monty is just doing a little "night wilding". Cats are naturally predisposed to play and run around at night. Monty might be jumping on Kirby because he wants someone to play with.

Not sure I have any advice for you, other than to make sure that Monty is on the opposite side of the bed from where Kirby lays. You might also keep a small spray bottle of water by your bedside. When Monty jumps on Kirby spray him with some water and verbally reinforce his bad behavior.

[momof2boys]

Sounds like someone needs a little kitten :D

My 11 year old dog has experienced something just like that. I can still remember the look on her face. Just like Kirby it was a look of "what the heck?". Luckily my kitten finds it more fun to pick on my 14 year old cat. Well, I am not so sure who is the lucky one.:confused: