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07-29-2017, 06:09 AM
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54 posts, read 172,767 times
Reputation: 40
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Three years ago we adopted a small outdoor kitten into our family. Our kids were 1,1,2 when he arrived, therefore he's essentially grown up along side the children. Mr.Kitty, as they named him....is extremely tolerant of the children holding him, carrying around, etc.
However, in recent months he's bitten my son and I, (drawing blood), while petting him. He's tried to attack numerous other times. He is fully vetted and the only animal in the house.
On several occasions, family members have come over with their own pets. He goes into this insanely violent frenzy. Doubles his size by poofing his coat, standing on toes, charging, hissing, attacking....you get the point. Even if those pets are placed in another room, he will sit and attack the door. He's even went after a 75lb pitbull. Mr Kitty's temper lately has everyone extremely concerned. He grew up in our home, shown attention and love every day...and for some reason he's gotten to the point where he generally can't be handled.
Before anyone asks, he's never been abused. I stay at home with the kids...they are watched all the time when interacting with him. He even has his own room he can go to for relaxing, that the kiddos can't access.
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07-29-2017, 07:19 AM
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9,900 posts, read 17,517,173 times
Reputation: 19552
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Poor kitty, something is upsetting him!
Is he neutered? Is he "declawed"?
Stop letting bring other animals into the house, he's shown how much stress it causes him.
It may be he's stressed from the other animals and from being handled so much, and is tired of it. So tell the kids to leave him alone.
It may be he is sick or in pain and needs a trip to the vet. Is he peeing normally?
What is his diet?
Any behavior change warrants a trip to the vet first.
Last edited by catsmom21; 07-29-2017 at 07:38 AM..
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07-29-2017, 07:52 AM
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1,583 posts, read 1,160,328 times
Reputation: 2933
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The first issue of attacking while being petted could be a couple of things. One is if the cat is not played with (meaning, hunting play specifically for the cat) then he will have a lot of pent-up energy that needs to be released. Another is that cats can become overstimulated when pet or handled or touched too much ("too much" being a relative term unique to each cat). When the cat reaches his limit and becomes overstimulated, he will lash out and/or run away.
The second issue is about territory. Cats are territorial and will defend their territory from intruders. The more frequently there are intruders, the more the cat may become defensive or go on the offensive with patrolling, marking, etc. Yes, some cats are very laid back and actually like visitors. Obviously, yours doesn't, so it may be wise to limit your visitors to humans only.
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07-31-2017, 08:53 AM
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Location: Wisconsin
2,902 posts, read 3,481,603 times
Reputation: 4100
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You say he's fully vetted, but has he been to the vet recently? He could be in pain and is lashing out because of that. Cats high their pain very well.
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08-02-2017, 05:04 PM
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21,106 posts, read 12,114,043 times
Reputation: 19684
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Feliway! It doesn't solve everything, but it's a good start. I also have all kinds of calming aids to give mine. I like Composure because it's a liquid that I can syringe in.
Kitty might have had a trauma you don't know about.
Also, put him in the other room, not the other way around.
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08-03-2017, 09:48 AM
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4,286 posts, read 4,303,464 times
Reputation: 9626
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His reaction when people bring pets over is totally normal and as someone else said he's defending his territory. I'd stop letting other people bring their pets over it could be contributing to the other problem and even if it's not, it's stressing him out.
If he hasn't been to the vet recently, I'd take him. I wonder if he's getting overstimulated with the petting?
This site is a good resource for all things cat. Aggression In Cats |
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08-03-2017, 10:39 AM
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1,717 posts, read 1,484,170 times
Reputation: 2198
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He sounds like he's fed up, leave me alone, no more Mr. Nice Guy. If this were my cat I'd put him in his rood with all his beds, litter boxes and toys, put on some soft music, and just let him be. Let him unwind and relax.
It could be the kids are having friends over? Maybe he got his tail stepped on? Dropped? Cornered by a strange dog? I hope when the strange dog was visiting you put your cat in another room? Was the dog cat friendly?
Cats are territorial. It's why dogs run in packs and cat's don't. They are loners. So your cat is older now and wiser and his home smells like him and his family. Cats are smart and they're also picky. Give your cat room to settle.
I have a cat that has panic attacks. It doesn't happen often but when he goes to the vet he won't settle down. He has to be sedated before his shots. All this because he got frightened at home, be it cat play or what, but it's his new behavior. He hasn't come back from it. Be aware yours may not either - You just have to deal with the changes.
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08-11-2017, 12:15 AM
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Location: Minnesota
2,543 posts, read 1,827,455 times
Reputation: 4826
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Cats are not toys for small children to carry around. They don't necessarily like to have being handled ruffly and will let you know. I have seen cats that have been handled too ruff and they will hide and possibly lash out if its too much. If your kids are 1,1 and 2 they are too young to be handling by themselves. I had 2 cats about 5 years old when my son was born. One ran and hid or left the room, the other would watch from a distance, didn't let him get close until my son was 3 or so. We had lots of sessions on how to pet nice, no pulling hair or tail because that hurts and when kitty gets hurt she gets scared and might bite or scratch. Both indoor cats. You need to teach the your children how to pet nice, not to pick up, or to hit, how to respect cat. With a little teachings your children how to properly handle your cat if should be fine.
Sorry to be blunt, it just needed to be said plainly.
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08-15-2017, 12:58 PM
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Location: Wisconsin
2,902 posts, read 3,481,603 times
Reputation: 4100
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I just noticed you added that he was declawed. Sadly, many declawed kitties act out by biting or other means, and perhaps that's what is happening here. What do you use for litter? It may be hurting his paws.
Also, does he get played with regularly? Cats that age are full of energy that needs to be released with play.
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08-15-2017, 01:19 PM
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Location: SoCal again
20,249 posts, read 18,134,331 times
Reputation: 41580
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If performed on a human being, declawing would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle.
Why would you bring dogs and of all the dogs PITBULLS into your kitties territory?
A) never let your children unattended playing with the cat. What they think is playing is usually horrible for the cat.
B) no other pets from other people should be in your house. It is your cats house and apparently she doesnt want to share.
Her outrageous behavior is actually pretty normal. And I really hope you didn't declaw her.
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