Ridge on Bengals skull and Dominance problem

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mewho - 01 Jan 2004 02:56 GMT

1. My bengal Teddy [ who is an F4] has a ridge on his skull that runs from
front to back. Does anyone else have this on their cat? I have 5 other cats
and none of them have this. I have had him since he was about 8 weeks old
and he had it when we got him. I can't find any info on this and just wanted
to know if it is normal.

2. Also Teddy will fight with all of our other cats. This happens daily. I
don't know how to stop this. He is a big boy at 20 lbs. All my other kids
are 10 lbs or less. He has not caused any injuries. But my fear is that he
could. I could never get rid of him or the others. We treat all the kids the
same. I think he is just jealous of the others. We are confused about his
behavior as he will love on them all. It is like a cat with multiple
personalities. He is a great cat. He lets our Lab Bailey hug and kiss him
and even lay on him. He anyone has any good advice please let me know. But
if you have anything mean or nasty to say keep it to yourself.

Jackie

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Sherry - 01 Jan 2004 05:51 GMT

>2. Also Teddy will fight with all of our other cats. This happens daily. I
>don't know how to stop this. He is a big boy at 20 lbs. All my other kids
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Jackie

Hi Jackie..
There are a couple of things you can try. First, try Feliway; it is a harmless
pheromone spray that will make him less anxious and territorial, which could be
the reason he's so aggressive. Secondly, you can try consistent negative
reinforcement every time he jumps another cat. You can do this by giving him
"time out." Pick him up every time he jumps the other cat, and gently put him
in the bathroom and close the door. For two minutes or so. This might sound
crazy, but I swear, after about a zillion times he will get the message. Other
people use a spray bottle set at "fine mist". Sounds rather mean, but on the
other hand, you can't allow him to keep terrorizing the other cats.
You're on the right track I think by making sure he gets equal attention so he
isn't jealous of the others, also.
Good luck. Hope everything works out for you.
Sherry

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Cheryl - 01 Jan 2004 06:42 GMT

Jan 2004:

> Pick him up every time he jumps the other cat, and gently put him
> in the bathroom and close the door. For two minutes or so. This might
> sound crazy, but I swear, after about a zillion times he will get the
> message.

Signature

Cheryl

I shall call him Squishy and he shall be mine. And he shall be my Squishy.
Come here Squishy. Ow. Bad Squishy.
- Dori

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Wendy - 01 Jan 2004 12:05 GMT

Sherry wrote in news:20040101005144.15599.00002176@mb-m03.aol.com on 01
Jan 2004:

I'm close to trying this with Shamrock. He is downright mean to Shadow
lately. Poor Shadow doesn't want to leave the back of the couch unless I'm
here and it is mealtime. I don't want to think about how it is when I'm
not home. Shamrock's aggression seems mainly due to his skin problems.
Addressing that in a new way when the meds come. I am home for the next 4
days (maybe 5 depending on how jury duty goes Monday).

Time outs seem to work with Boots most of the time. If he's just getting WAY
to roudy or giving Tiggy a particularly hard time, a time out seems to calm
him down. If he really wants to get into something, he'll be right back at
it when he's liberated tho.

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Sherry - 01 Jan 2004 14:52 GMT

>I'm close to trying this with Shamrock. He is downright mean to Shadow
>lately. Poor Shadow doesn't want to leave the back of the couch unless I'm
>here and it is mealtime. I don't want to think about how it is when I'm
>not home. Shamrock's aggression seems mainly due to his skin problems.
>Addressing that in a new way when the meds come. I am home for the next 4
>days (maybe 5 depending on how jury duty goes Monday).

I swear it worked with Bootsie when we had Jacky. It took about a zillion times
though, but she's naturally hard-headed and stubborn. I don't know what she
did while we were away, but she definitely "thought" about it before she jumped
him when we were watching. I bet you're right about the skin
condition--wouldn't that make him irritable, just like humans?
Hope things level off!

Sherry

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Fat Freddy - 01 Jan 2004 14:22 GMT

> 1. My bengal Teddy [ who is an F4] has a ridge on his skull that runs from
> front to back. Does anyone else have this on their cat? I have 5 other cats
> and none of them have this.

One of our cats, a large longhair, has a ridge like that. Neither of
the other two, a medium hair and a short hair, have it.

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Orchid - 01 Jan 2004 15:34 GMT

>1. My bengal Teddy [ who is an F4] has a ridge on his skull that runs from
>front to back. Does anyone else have this on their cat? I have 5 other cats
>and none of them have this. I have had him since he was about 8 weeks old
>and he had it when we got him. I can't find any info on this and just wanted
>to know if it is normal.

Out of curiosity, I just checked both my SBT Bengal boys, and
they both have a ridge too. So I wouldn't worry too much. :)

>2. Also Teddy will fight with all of our other cats. This happens daily. I
>don't know how to stop this. He is a big boy at 20 lbs. All my other kids
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>and even lay on him. He anyone has any good advice please let me know. But
>if you have anything mean or nasty to say keep it to yourself.

Is he fighting or playing? Does he have another extremely
active cat to play and wrestle with? A lot of people see problems
with Bengals and more sedentary cats because the Bengals just want to
go, go, GO all the time. My boys are littermates, and they spend 80%
of their awake time wrestling and chasing each other around the house.
Way too much for a lot of other cats. From everything I've heard
about Foundations, this problem would only be magnified. Also, how
old is he? Has he been neutered yet? What does his breeder have to
say? -- responsible breeders are the most wonderful, valuable resource
you can find.

Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

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mewho - 03 Jan 2004 06:35 GMT

I believe it is fighting. The noises that my others make I never hear when
they play with each other. The screaming is terrifying when you first hear
it. Teddy is neutered and has been since about 6 months. He is a lazy boy
who just lays around. The only time he gets real active is after a visit to
the litterbox. As for the breeder we were new to the pedigree cat thing and
didn't know how to tell a good one from a bad one. When we got Teddy he was
supposed to be a she. But when we got the cat home we noticed that he was
not a girl. But I couldn't take him back. How good could a breeder be if she
can't see that he was very much a boy? The spray bottle works very well just
the sound of it. They hear it and they all stop. But Teddy is a smart guy he
bites holes into the bottom of them. I thought he might try that with
cleaners in bottles but he doesn't. If would put him in time out if I could
catch him. But he's really quick and when I finally get him he is able to
get away. He is just to smart for us.

> >1. My bengal Teddy [ who is an F4] has a ridge on his skull that runs from
> >front to back. Does anyone else have this on their cat? I have 5 other cats
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
> Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

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Orchid - 03 Jan 2004 14:36 GMT

>I believe it is fighting. The noises that my others make I never hear when
>they play with each other. The screaming is terrifying when you first hear
>it.

Hm. Is there blood and or big tufts of fur flying? Cats
involved in a serious fight are trying to *hurt* each other.
Otherwise, yes, he might just be harassing them.

>Teddy is neutered and has been since about 6 months. He is a lazy boy
>who just lays around. The only time he gets real active is after a visit to
>the litterbox.

That is really strange for the breed -- he doesn't chase
greeblings? What kinds of toys does he have?

> As for the breeder we were new to the pedigree cat thing and
>didn't know how to tell a good one from a bad one. When we got Teddy he was
>supposed to be a she. But when we got the cat home we noticed that he was
>not a girl. But I couldn't take him back. How good could a breeder be if she
>can't see that he was very much a boy?

Since kittens shouldn't leave their moms until 12-16 weeks, if
a breeder can't tell a boy from a girl, they're pretty bad. Who was
it?
Do you know about Bengals-L? It's a yahoo group, and the
oldest and largest Bengal group that exists. Top breeders from all
over the world post there, as well as hundreds of pet owners. It's a
great resource, and some of the foundation breeders there might have
some foundation-specific information they can give you.

Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

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mewho - 04 Jan 2004 05:32 GMT

I don't know if I should post the breeders name. If you want me to I will
tell you.

There has been no blood or injuries. And sometimes I notice alot of loose
hair on the others afterwards.

As for toys he has some kitty hoots dolls, furry mice and anything else he
can get his paws on that will make noise.

Another strange thing he does is steal. He will just come right up and take
things from your hand, plate etc. It's not mean but it is funny and strange.
He tried to take a sandwich from my husband's plate. I just think bengals
are very strange.

> >I believe it is fighting. The noises that my others make I never hear when
> >they play with each other. The screaming is terrifying when you first hear
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
> Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

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Sherry - 04 Jan 2004 07:20 GMT

>I don't know if I should post the breeders name. If you want me to I will
>tell you.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>He tried to take a sandwich from my husband's plate. I just think bengals
>are very strange.

Strange behavior isn't limited to Bengals, or any purebred, for that matter.
Every cat has his own unique personality. I had a cat who would steal the
neighbor cat's toys, another who loved to ride in a car and hang his head out
the window. One who preferred to dump the water bowl and drink off the floor.
Another who played in the toilet. They all have little idiosyncracies that
make each one special. Just enjoy him!

Sherry

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M.C. Mullen - 04 Jan 2004 12:40 GMT

| I don't know if I should post the breeders name. If you want me to I will
| tell you.
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
| He tried to take a sandwich from my husband's plate. I just think bengals
| are very strange.

I would call that a "distinct personality". Our last cat was like that, very
independent.
I hope you told the "breeder" that his female turned into a male. Or did
they mix up some kittens by mistake?
Cats *are* strange. Our present one likes to rip up toilet rolls - at least
three per night. And he prefers the ones with three layers to the cheaper
two layered ones ;-)

Carola

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Orchid - 04 Jan 2004 16:54 GMT

>I don't know if I should post the breeders name. If you want me to I will
>tell you.

I'd love to know, but if you don't feel comfortable, I
understand. My email is unmunged.

>There has been no blood or injuries. And sometimes I notice alot of loose
>hair on the others afterwards.

*nod* Sounds like harassment. Which is a lot better than
aggression, IMO.

>As for toys he has some kitty hoots dolls, furry mice and anything else he
>can get his paws on that will make noise.

Bengals, like all cats, need mental stimulation. Have you
tried splitting his toys into two groups, and putting one group away
for a month or so? Then when you take them out again (and put the
'old' group away) they are suddenly new toys. :) My boys get tired
of the same old toys and we've found the rotation to be a very good
thing for them.

>Another strange thing he does is steal. He will just come right up and take
>things from your hand, plate etc. It's not mean but it is funny and strange.
>He tried to take a sandwich from my husband's plate. I just think bengals
>are very strange.

*grin* All cats have wonderful distinct personalities, but I
tend to agree that most Bengals have that extra bit of distinctness
that can drive you to distraction. :)
And they're greedy. Greedy and smart. I've never known
anyone to successfully train a Bengal off kitchen counters. :)

Orchid
See Orchid's Kitties! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/bengalpage
Want a Purebred Cat? Read This! -- http://nik.ascendancy.net/orchid

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