My Pet World: Why does a fixed female dog hump another female dog?

Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on Sep 7, 2022

Dear Judy,

That’s a possibility I hadn’t considered, mostly because I assume most people litter-box train their cats. I think toilet training could be stressful for cats since their instincts are to cover up their waste and there is no way to do that on a toilet seat. I am curious though. If any of my readers have toilet trained their cat, please let me know how he or she responded to it.

Dear Cathy,

I read your column religiously in Newsday and hope you can help me with my cats. I have two tabbies that were adopted as kittens five years ago. They are brothers. About a year ago, tabby “A” started to bully tabby” B.” "B" then started spraying and urinating around the house. The bullying had gotten so bad that "B” was urinating blood. I brought “B” to the veterinarian, where he was checked out and is now on a low dose of Xanax. “A” was also checked out and was declared healthy. “A” doesn't hiss or growl as much. But “B” is still urinating around the house. I really don't know what else to do. Any suggestions?

— Sandy, Glen Cove, New York

Dear Sandy,

Since they are not ill, I suggest reintroducing them. I know they have lived together for five years, but it can sometimes help to separate them and reintroduce them slowly again. Give each cat their own room for a few days. Let each one out separately to wander around the house and check under the other cat's door.

After a few days, switch out blankets so they can adjust to their sibling's scent again. Then switch their rooms. When you feel they are comfortable with each other’s scent, let them sit in kennels in the same room but far apart. If that goes well, then that day or another day, let them out of the kennels to engage again. If they fight, start the process over but take each step more slowly this time.

Also, “B” is on Xanax. Is “A” on anything? There are calming chews for cats that promote relaxation and calm a cat's anxiety. Maybe if “A” is calmer, there will be more peace between them.

I also recommend plug-in pheromones for a multi-cat household and pheromone collars for the next 90 days. Pheromones don't resolve the problem, but can help take the edge off anxious cats.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)