What to do when your cat is the top dog

Dear Cathy: We recently got a cat from our local Humane Society. He is a 3-year-old male. His cage card said he wasn’t good with other cats. It wasn’t until we got home that we saw the paperwork also said he doesn’t like dogs either. We don’t have cats, but we do have a 5-year-old shar-pei. He bloodied the dog’s nose during the first encounter.

It’s been more than six months now. The cat is otherwise very sociable with people and loves to be brushed and cuddled in our bed. But he is like a ninja with the dog. These aren’t big battles anymore; the dog knows to give the cat space. But the cat seems to taunt the dog. He waits behind corners to attack the poor dog and sits in the dog’s favorite spots. I think he does this on purpose. What can we do to discourage this behavior? — Chuck, St. Paul, Minn.

Dear Chuck: Your cat is the dominant “dog” in the house and has set the tone for his interactions with your shar-pei. Even though your dog gives the cat a wide berth, you can discourage the cat’s intimidating behavior by gently moving him along when he looks like he is about to chase or pounce. Then rub a little dab of hairball gel onto his top paw. He will begin licking it off and should lose interest in intimidating the dog.

Also, get your cat a tall cat tree — at least 6 feet tall. Cats like to climb and observe their world from above, so this may reduce face-to-face encounters with the dog. Rub a little catnip or leave a catnip toy or treats on the highest platform to encourage your feline to climb up the cat tree.

If moving your cat along doesn’t discourage him, shake a can of coins when he looks like he is about to pounce, or use something called a Pet Corrector (available online), which emits a compressed air sound that will distract your cat and hopefully discourage him from attacking the dog.