But yesterday, she came inside and he attacked her. Jumped on her and bit at her neck! He chased her all around the house and they are both way too fast for me to catch up. She was screeching and he wouldn't stop. It was a "fur on the floor" at one point. I finally managed to get him closed in a room to calm down.
Then Marley even sniffed and whapped her and made a a brief chase. At least Marley responds to "STOP"!
I checked the Felliway dispenser and it seemed to be working (about 1/4 left after 3 weeks). But as I was standing there wondering what on Earth had happened, I detected a faint smell of "skunk". And I HAD noticed some varmint scat in the back yard recently. Maybe Ayla got some smell on her that triggered Laz and even upset Marley slightly.
I hope, I hope, I hope...
I don't really understand Laz. He is more aggressive than any other cat I've had. On the other hand, the only male cats I have had for decades have been laid-back orange and white ones. And even Marley has chased Ayla briefly when outside. Laz acts like a feral indoors cat sometimes. I am assured he has been an inside cat all his life.
Most of the time, I post about his progress. Well, "most of the time" things are good and Laz seems to be adapting to his forever home. But it isn't always.
He had a bad start with dogs and children in his first home, and I think he has basically been an "only" cat. I get the impression he is like a young human boy locked in a room. He needs space to run. On a 1-10 scale of energy, he is at least a 9. It seems more than FRAP or THOE.
He fights being picked up even briefly. Yet he sits on my lap peacefully sometimes, and he sleeps up against me most every night. He eats calmly with both Marley and Ayla. He doesn't deliberately push things off tables and desks. He loves my attention. He doesn't seem malicious; just "uncontrolled".
I know he is new and adjusting. I know he had a hard start. I am giving him a LOT of attention and peacefulness. I don't like the "squirt bottle" training but if things don't improve in a month or so, I may have to try it.
Laz is friendly to Marley and Ayla most of the time. Here is a picture of them sleeping together on the bed at night a couple of days ago...
What Laz NEEDS is a yard he can fling himself around and run himself into exhaustion but cant escape from, but I can't manage that. I intend to introduce him to the outdoors soon. I have a Hav-A-Hart trap rather larger than a carrier that would allow him to be on the deck and see/sniff/hear around in all directions. He went ape-crazy when I tried to get him in it, but that was because I couldn't hold the trap open AND guide him in calmly AND close the door at the same time.
It occurs to me to hold the door open with a spring clamp and add a cushion and try again. I looked at small dog kennels at the local pet store, but the doors latches are pathetic. Doors are tricky; if I built one, the door would still be "iffy".
Most of the time, all is calm. I think what he wants to be is an only cat in a large house. He is so great with me, inviting attention and scritchies, flopping on the floor in front of me (and I never ignore him then). He eats well, is perfect with the litter boxes, and keeps his claws in around me.
Any suggestions?
