Re: Terratorial litterbox behavior

Lauri <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in 
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]:

> I have two cats, one male and one female.  Both are approximately 8
> years old (he is about 6 months older than she), and I've had them
> both since they were kittens.  The female is very shy and skittish
> (hides when strangers come, is easily startled, etc).  The male is
> very outgoing, friendly, and curious.  Both cats have always been very
> good and reliable in using their shared litterbox.  He is neutered and
> she is spayed (both were "fixed" at about 9 months of age).
> 
> The male cat used to play a "game" where he would wait in ambush of
> the female while she was using the litterbox, then he would pounce on
> her when she came out of the laundry room.  When we moved to a
> different house 2 years ago, the game changed and he would wait around
> the corner.  This has progressed to the point where it's no longer a
> game, at least not to the female.  Now he runs at her when she
> approaches the litter box, which has the unpleasant side-effect of
> making her run off and poop in the corner.  This doesn't happen every
> day; it goes in phases.  He'll let her use the box for days on end,
> then he'll start scaring her out of it again.  He is happy to eat
> side-by-side with her, doesn't chase her away from water, etc.
> 
> My plan is to get a second litterbox and put it in an out-of-the-way
> corner in the basement so that hopefully she can sneak down there and
> have a little peace and quiet when she's trying to go potty.  I'm
> wondering, though, if there is a way I can teach the male to curb his
> assertive behavior.  They get along for the most part (other than the
> occasional spat).  She can hold her own against him in most
> situations; he will occasionally try to intimidate her into leaving a
> favorite chair or perch (sometimes he's successfull, sometimes not). 
> 
> Is the second litterbox worth a try?  Why has this behavior escalated?
> Is there a way to help him stop behaving this way?
> 
> Lauri in WA
> 
> I like my email spamless

Welcome Laurie from a fellow ASD follower. Yes. Two boxes are optimal. I 
have the exact problem and two trays, one out of the view of the other 
helps alot.