Dear Friends,

I received another letter from Mary, the cat who would be queen. She is reunited with her people and living well. Her beans cleaned up their act, looked around and realized they missed their beloved Mary.

All is now well in her kingdom, and also in the household of the two cats who were unprepared to serve her.

Dear Fisher,

Oh what I’ve been through. I found myself in a new home when my people couldn’t take care of me ‘cuz they were having trouble taking care of themselves. They found me a new home with a loving woman. I thought I would be queen, but I’m in trouble again. Two cats are already here and I’ve had to plot and plan to be charge.

I started life on the street and I know how to fight for myself. The other two cats are not happy with my feisty ways. Now everybody is mad at me. I might have to find another home because I don’t know how to get along. It’s been several months and things aren’t getting any better. I just don’t like other cats. What can I do?

Dear Mary,

I am happy you keep meeting up with loving people, and my first reaction is to keep trying until you get it right. Several months is long enough for all of you to adjust, and if you cats are unable to live in peace, a new home is a good option.

If all attempts to socialize you fail, there is a good chance that you are an alpha cat. An alpha cat exhibits the following:

1. territorial, taking command of toys, bed, food
2. extreme aggression toward others
3. uninterested in becoming part of the community
4. unwilling to accept and kind of training

My friends at Perfect Paws write, “Because the cat is not a pack animal, there is no inherent need or desire for the cat to comply with anyone’s wishes but its own.” They have a lot of good information.

I suspect that you, Mary, are trainable but are more interested in being Only Cat in Charge. We are now back to square one. If you really tried to get along, or if you really do not want to get along, a new home is a good idea. It is best if you are the only cat. Should there be a dog, just remember they are usually bigger and really like it if the cat shows some respect. Overall, though, it is best if you are an only pet.

This is a no blame, no shame situation. It is a positive move for all concerned. Sometimes cats just do not get along no matter what. I have complete faith the loving woman will find a good home for you. May you happily reign forever.

Your friend,
Fisher

Dear Fisher,

We are very loving, happy kittens and we love each other very much. We cuddle with each other a lot. But, when we are all in the same room together, we don’t like to cuddle with our human or even let her touch us at all. When we are separate we cuddle with her all the time and are very friendly. She thinks this is very odd. Do you have any idea why we would be this way? An explanation could help us all.

Harley and Honda

Dear Harley and Honda,

Your behavior is not bad behavior or the type that can or should be trained out of you. The fact that you are very loving cats comes out loud and clear in your letter. Life must be very good at your place, except for one little oddity. Cats in general have a certain responsibility to do something odd occasionally or even perpetually. That is one of the things that make us so lovable.

After much research on this subject, I found there is no real research. However your letter did bring to mind two cats I have known named Burt and Boomer. They cuddled together a lot. They never sat together on their human’s lap, but the minute she stretched out on the couch, they were both on top of her. Boomer was always closest to her head – obviously the alpha cat. Neither of you seems to have alpha cat tendencies. At least they are not overt alpha tendencies.

I listed my thoughts on why you may behave the way you do and I invite my readers to send me some of their thoughts. One good idea might help your human understand. Here is my list:

1. Her lap is not big enough for both of you to cuddle on at the same time.
2. You are both peace-loving pacifists and determined not to create any rivalry.
3. One of you likes scratches under the chin, and the other likes petting behind the ears. You both know she is not ambidextrous.
4. You have a private bet going on as to which of you is the most independent.
5. Each of you is covertly working toward alpha cat status and will not reveal your intentions until the real alpha cat comes out to play.

In the meantime, your human might try something odd herself. She can get a new, very flashy cat toy, sit on the floor and begin to play with it. Let us see how serious you are about staying aloof when the three of you are together in this situation!

Your friend,

Fisher