My cat keeps trying to grab my dogs by the nape of the neck. How can I get him to quit?

Question

I got my cat when he was 6 weeks old and had already been neutered. I have four other cats (2 male, 2 female), and two big dogs. The cat is definitely the alpha of all of them. He controls all the cats and has begun trying to display dominance over the dogs by jumping up and biting them on the backs of their necks, like a male does a female cat. I've never had a cat like this before. What should I do about it?

Answer 1

You need to modify the behavior by being consistent and correcting him EVERY time he does this. Cats do not like water, so I suggest using a spray bottle and giving him a squirt when he goes for the dog.

Answer 2

hi. As a cat individual I surely have discovered which you will %. up a cat via the nape of the neck as loing because of the fact the cat isn't an entire grown grownup. while a cat matures, like we do, the physique grows older putting rigidity on the muscular tissues and the joints. if your cat remains youthful (no better than 3 years previous-21 in cat years) you're able to proceed to %. up kitty in this style as long because of the fact the kitty isn't distressed and chuffed. BTW, while a cat purrs it ability that they are yearning interest.

Answer 3

It's not just males! My female 5-month old kitten does the same to my male cat, who is almost 2½ years old! It's part of play - and part of establishing dominance. As long as there are no physical injuries or no one is crying out - let them be. It's instinct more than anything - and trying to establish who is "top dog" in the house. Even my boy cat tried to show me that HE was in charge of things early on until I pulled out Mr. Super Soaker and gave him a shot or two ;-)

Answer 4

It may not be dominance but playfulness but in any case you can't train a cat to do what you wish as someone said obedience school. Cats do as they please but what you can do is discipline him. No hitting or swatting of course. Get yourself a squirt bottle and squirt him with a little water when he does this it sounds harsh but believe me he will get the point not to jump on the dogs after a couple of times.
I have a cat who was very problematic and when I surfed the net for discipline methods this was the best one. Any hitting or swatting will only make your cat distrust you.
Hope this helps and that hot sauce idea someone gave is just cruel...

Answer 5

Have a squirt bottle ready and when he does it to one of the dogs give a good squirt with the water bottle. This helped my one male cat to learn that one of our female cats was off limits. Remember, YOU are the alpha....not them. You don't want one of your dogs getting irritated and biting the cat. Better to stop it now before the cat gets hurt, or hurts one of the dogs.

Answer 6

When ever your cat does something you dont want her to do, get a spray bottle are spray her. Cats dont like this, just dont let them know you are the one spraying them, try to hide it from them. After a while the cat will start noticing that every time she does that, she gets sprayed, and will stop.

Answer 7

Put a wide leather collar on your dogs neck. This will prevent your cat from being able to grab his neck and eventually he will become too frustrated to try anymore.

Answer 8

As you've already guessed, this is the cat's way of asserting dominance. Unfortunately, you're probably simply going to have to let the two of them work it out; it's difficult to train out instinct, and that's what your cat is operating on.

Answer 9

Put something on the back of your dogs neck that taste bad, like hot sauce or something. Or you can visit a pet store and buy a spray that will do the same thing.

Answer 10

As long as the dogs don't mind, let them be. Kitty is indeed trying for Alpha status.