How to discourage barking at cats?

[ashley1135]

What's the best way for me to keep Sulley from harrassing my cats? I have two persians that are quite uppity and don't care for Sulley's raucous behavior. At first he would just wanted to go see them, but then he found out they will run if he pounces at them. What fun!! The cats hiss and growl, trying to convince him to keep his distance. But of course, if they're growling at him, he wants to growl and bark back. Now it's all a big game to him and he doesn't want to hurt them, just play. The cats are more irked by him than scared, but don't want him to get a taste for chasing everything in site. I also don't want the cats feeling like they've been ousted. What's the best way to discourage this chasing and barking?

[ashley1135]

Thanks for your input. I've tried some of the same methods you have to no avail. I'm hoping he'll just grow out of it, or that the cats will stop running from him. It's just so natural for him to give chase when something is running away. The funniest thing happened last night and I wish I had filmed it. Both Sulley and my older cat were on the bed with the cat asleep at the foot. Sulley ran up behind the cat and started pouncing up and down w/ his front feet trying to get the cat to notice him. I was laughing so hard I couldn't do anything about it. It would be like if you were laying in bed and something starting jumping up and down right beside you. The cat ignored it until about the 10th time, then turned around, gave Sulley a good smack, and ran off. Sulley looked at me like "What'd I do?"