Too many males :-)

by Aj Visser
(Johannesburg South Africa)

I started out fostering only 2 years ago and love the experiance dearly.

In my first batch I decided to keep two brothers a ginger I named Garfield and a tabby called Romeo. I though Garfield would be the dominant one but it turned out to be the opposit. Romeo is still very affectionate towards us but not towards the other boys (yes more to follow)

The family has grown with another girl called Brandy and my last baby (I got at 2 days of age) Dusty.

The senario is now as follows. I have a small two bedroom place but my windows are open and they are all free to rome outside. Problem is the two dogs (Jack russle and mix) are chasing them.

So Garfield has learned to wander and has returned on many occasions cut up and I have needed to have him stiched up. He has been Neutered.

Romeo is fine most of the time, but sometimes has fights with Garfield and Dusty. Luckily not too serious though. Romeo has been Neutered as well.
Thing is sometimes he walks round the yard (he does not know how to get over the wall) and he cries for some reason.

Brandy, really actually she is just a sweet girl, she has bee spayed as well so no problems there.

and now we get to Dusty.....

I have not had him neutered as I have not had the money. He is now spraying all over (I think it is spraying, little urin puddles on the floor next to curtain etc) He is trying to mate with Brandy (poor girl) and is now even taking on Romeo!

I'm trying to make arrangements to have him neutered but what if it's too late? I wont be able to love with it.

Is my house to small for all of them? Have I made a mistake?

Regards

Aj

RESPONSE:

You don't say how old Dusty is but as an un-neutered male, he is behaving quite normally. Fighting and spraying and attempting to mate are what they do. Get him fixed ASAP then work on behavior modification to minimize his unwanted behaviors.
Romeo cries because he wants to go over the wall and can't figure out how to do it. Lots of play will help with this issue.
As long as Garfield is allowed to wander he risks injury. That is why we don't allow ours to wander the neighborhood.
You don't say if the dogs are yours but I am assuming they are not. There is no way to stop "stranger" dogs from chasing cats. It is in their nature. If they are your dogs, you can teach them to leave "their" cats alone.
As to whether or not you have "made a mistake" only you can judge that.
I'm sorry I can't be more helpful but from what you have told me, all of your cats are behaving like cats. To change this, you need to change their environment. Stop them from going out, get Dusty fixed and work on making their indoor environment an entertaining place for them.

Donna - House Full Cats Mom