Ragdoll Cat Forums

I have two Ragdolls from separate breeders that I acquired at different times. Both are around six months old, and are neutered/spayed. The first one we brought home was Cloud. We thought he'd like a playmate, so around a month or two later, we got Yuna. They are sweet kitties with different personalities.

We did a slow introduction that spanned a couple of weeks. Yuna had worms and an eye infection so the introductions were slower than normal. Yuna's safe room was the bedroom, while Cloud had the rest of the house. After they seemed okay with the "supervised" visits, we opened up the whole house to both of them.

We noticed that Cloud would stalk Yuna obsessively and pounce/playbite her every chance he got. Yuna would hiss and run away. We broke them up every time it got bad, but it really seemed like Cloud was just playing. He would yelp out sad meows and sulk around every time Yuna got out of his reach.

We thought it was just a temporary thing, but it's been a while now and Cloud still chases Yuna around and pounces on her. Yuna rarely hisses anymore. She knows all her "getaway" spots and she quickly retreats to them if Cloud annoys her. Sometimes she even goes back near Cloud after a quick escape, so we've had mixed feelings about her.

The main problem is this: Cloud's obsessive feelings towards "hunting" Yuna has prevented her from using the litter box in peace. On many occasions, once Yuna would go use the litter box, Cloud would wait for a while, then jump in and terrorize her. This forces her to run out, which causes her to eliminate on herself. Similar things happen when she tries to eat or drink, but not to that extent.

I'm really worried. I love them both, but I'm at a loss on what to do. I believe Cloud's actions are instinctive, but it's really disturbing to Yuna. I've tried giving him time outs, but it doesn't seem to alleviate anything. Please help.



Yuna's on the top, while Cloud's on the bottom.

You should provide litterboxes and food/water locations in easily defensible locations. Sometimes that means more open allowing the user to see the problem coming and give the skunk eye and sometimes it means more enclosed. For example, sometimes a covered litterbox with the opening near a wall, means the playful cat cannot get to the playmate. Just try things and observe when Yuna feels most comfortable. You may also need to have times of day when they are kept in different rooms so that she can eat, drink an use the box in peace.

This does sound like normal play and Yuna does not seem terribly stressed by it, as demonstrated by her coming back for more sometimes.

Thank you for your response, JanH. I even put a bell on Cloud to warn Yuna when he's approaching, but I don't think it's been helpful. I just might try your advice with the covered litterbox.

Do you think this behavior will ever slow down? Or is Cloud just too darn playful?

Cats usually calm as they get older.

Hi - I just wanted to welcome you to the forum and tell you that your cats are just beautiful. I hope you get the problem sorted soon.

(08-21-2010 04:23 PM)TeresaK Wrote: [ -> ]Hi - I just wanted to welcome you to the forum and tell you that your cats are just beautiful. I hope you get the problem sorted soon.

Thank you! I'll go create a proper introduction thread right now.

I had the EXACT same problem the first day I let my frankie with my new kitty lacey...he chased her and pounced on her nonstop. Each time he did it, we put him in time out..or sometimes I'd use the spray bottle and a firm "NO". Then kept them apart at night and when we were not home. They are awesome now.