I am starting to get worried about my cat’s behavior. He is about 9 months old now, I have had him for about 3 ½ months.
He is a very friendly cuddly cat, he loves attention and people and when I have people over he goes from person to person getting as much love as he can.Over the past month or so though, he has started to have moments we he acts really weird.
One time I tried to pick him up to move him out of my spot on the couch and put him on my lap, he went after my hand so I pointed to the ground and told him “off” He sat up and meowed at me. I told him “off” again and he leaped up in my face, putting a scratch on each cheek as he bit my nose. I thought it was just him in a playful mood and got carried away.
Another time he was on my bed, same thing I went to move him and he went after me. He sat up and was just doing this strange high pitched steady meow, his eyes kept changing focus. Everything about it was aggressive, but after telling people they said it was play, but I had to put a towel over him to grab him to get him out of my room.
Yesterday morning I was sleeping, he normally comes and hangs out with me until I wake up. I was trying to get in an extra 5 minutes and was sleeping on my side, he was laying down on my hip. Suddenly he attacks my arm. He sunk his teeth into me through the comforter and held on. I yelled at him, but it was not until I reached around and smacked him on the rump that he let go. Even through the comforter he broke some skin and I have a bruise there now.
Then last night the cat was in my lap. My son went to gently pet him and the cat turned around and bit the closest hand, which was mine. Later that night after my son was in bed he did the same weird meowing thing. I was sitting on the couch reading a news letter and he jumped up beside me doing that weird meow just staring at me. I moved my hand and he went to go after it so I put it back just to see what he would do if I stayed still, and he bit my hand, broke skin again.
This has really upset me. I really don’t think I am overreacting. I work/ed with animals on a regular basis, at kennels with dogs that were something aggressive and a barn with horses, the expressions on the cat do not look like play to me. I cannot have an animal in my house that is going to bite someone like that that. It’s not even like I was moving my feet under the blanket, or we were playing and it got out of hand. Each time it has been unprovoked. But normally he is just the sweetest little guy, he purrs the entire time I clip his nails. I am getting conflicting opinions on what to do that range from “it is play, just work with him” to “the cat is not right and you need to protect yourself and your 3 year old son and have him put down.”
I have an appointment with the vet on Saturday. My boss said that maybe there was a mistake and he wasn’t fixed and his testicles didn’t descend, and maybe that is the problem. So I am hoping maybe there is something bothering the cat and that is why he started acting out like he is.
Has anyone ever dealt with this behavior before?
Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
My first question would have been about him being fixed and then my suggestion would be a vet visit. You've got that covered. Where did you get him from and did you take him to your own vet for an initial exam?
You are right with your cause for concern, especially with a small child in the house but it is certainly not reason to put the cat down. Don't listen to those people. See what the vet says on Saturday and let us know.
Good luck!
You are right with your cause for concern, especially with a small child in the house but it is certainly not reason to put the cat down. Don't listen to those people. See what the vet says on Saturday and let us know.
Good luck!
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
I agree that a vet visit is definitely in order! There could be an underlaying medical (such as hormonal or neurological) cause for your cat's unsocialable and unpredictible behavior. Blood tests and a complete exam should hopefully reveal the cause.
I hope your kitty can be treated. I too would find it next to impossible to enjoy living with an unpredictable animal that may injure at any time for no apparent cause. Good luck!!! Please post a follow-up after you see the vet!
I hope your kitty can be treated. I too would find it next to impossible to enjoy living with an unpredictable animal that may injure at any time for no apparent cause. Good luck!!! Please post a follow-up after you see the vet!
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
There is no reason to put this kitty to sleep..whoever is telling you this needs their head examined.
Look closely into his environment, what is occuring before the incidents? This doesn't mean an instant before, this can mean within minutes or hours, so take the time to see what changes have taken place in the environment that are causing him stress.
How does your son act around him? Do you supervise them at all times when they are near each other? Small children often provoke pets in various ways, so make sure that is not happening. Has something changed with your son's routine that could be stressing your kitty? Many things in the environment need to be looked at before you make the wrong assumption your cat is agressive.
Make an appointment with your vet to rule out potential health illness.
Look closely into his environment, what is occuring before the incidents? This doesn't mean an instant before, this can mean within minutes or hours, so take the time to see what changes have taken place in the environment that are causing him stress.
How does your son act around him? Do you supervise them at all times when they are near each other? Small children often provoke pets in various ways, so make sure that is not happening. Has something changed with your son's routine that could be stressing your kitty? Many things in the environment need to be looked at before you make the wrong assumption your cat is agressive.
Make an appointment with your vet to rule out potential health illness.
..........Traci
-
NikkiN
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
Thanks for your imput everyone.
I got him from a large well known shelter. I didn't bring him to the vet when I got him. They told me he was UTD on his shots, neutered and healthy.
I have been trying to think of what could have happened before, or any changes and right now I can't think of any. I didn't think that something that happens so much earlier would have an effect, I will definately keep that in mind. I share custody of my son, so he is not at my house 1/2 of the week. I have had incidents where my son was not at the house, and some where he is. I am very careful about where the cat is and where my son is to make sure that the cat isn't being grabbed or pulled.
I'll let you know what the vet says on Saturday.
Thanks again
I got him from a large well known shelter. I didn't bring him to the vet when I got him. They told me he was UTD on his shots, neutered and healthy.
I have been trying to think of what could have happened before, or any changes and right now I can't think of any. I didn't think that something that happens so much earlier would have an effect, I will definately keep that in mind. I share custody of my son, so he is not at my house 1/2 of the week. I have had incidents where my son was not at the house, and some where he is. I am very careful about where the cat is and where my son is to make sure that the cat isn't being grabbed or pulled.
I'll let you know what the vet says on Saturday.
Thanks again
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
I wonder if the cat is smelling something on your son that is upsetting him. Are there any other pets where he is for the other 1/2 week? If this has been the routine since you got the cat, I would think he'd be used to it by now. Perhaps he is sensing something different on your son when he is returned to you.
Despite the shelter's assurance on kitty's health status, it is always a good idea to get an adopted pet established at your own personal vet.
Good luck tomorrow and keep us posted.
Despite the shelter's assurance on kitty's health status, it is always a good idea to get an adopted pet established at your own personal vet.
Good luck tomorrow and keep us posted.
-
Guest
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
I took Milo to the vet today. I told her about his wierd behavior which is happening more and more frequently. He went after my mother last night too . She said that it was "Creepy"
She said that there could be some medical reasons why and she is having blood work done. His gums were swollen which could be a sign of a few things so we are going to wait it out and see what the blood work says.
If everything comes back normal she said they have a behavoirist in the office that she will have me meet with. She talked some about different medications that have helps cats, kinda like a kitty prozac. But we would have to see what the behaviorist says.
I don't know what I am going to do. If it is a medical issue then obviously I will have that treated and go from there, but it it is not. Well I don't know I really don't have the money to spend on kitty prozac to keep a cat drugged up so he is not aggressive. That might sound really harsh, and I know that when I got this cat I took on the responsibility of him, but keeping a cat on medication so he doesn't attack anyone is not what I signed on for. If the behavorist says that this is going to take time and we will continue to have these episodes, I am going to have to find him a new home. I just can't risk him going after my son.
Tuesday I will get the test results. So it is a waiting game until then.
She said that there could be some medical reasons why and she is having blood work done. His gums were swollen which could be a sign of a few things so we are going to wait it out and see what the blood work says.
If everything comes back normal she said they have a behavoirist in the office that she will have me meet with. She talked some about different medications that have helps cats, kinda like a kitty prozac. But we would have to see what the behaviorist says.
I don't know what I am going to do. If it is a medical issue then obviously I will have that treated and go from there, but it it is not. Well I don't know I really don't have the money to spend on kitty prozac to keep a cat drugged up so he is not aggressive. That might sound really harsh, and I know that when I got this cat I took on the responsibility of him, but keeping a cat on medication so he doesn't attack anyone is not what I signed on for. If the behavorist says that this is going to take time and we will continue to have these episodes, I am going to have to find him a new home. I just can't risk him going after my son.
Tuesday I will get the test results. So it is a waiting game until then.
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
Please keep us updated.....
-
NIKKIN
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
Well I got a call from the vet’s office. All the blood work has come back fine. That means that it is most likely a behavioral issue (I am not paying $1,500 on an MRI). I don’t know what to do. He hasn’t had an episode since Friday. Part of me wants to be hopeful that it isn’t going to happen again. He is just normally such a sweet loving cat.
The vet says I can see a behavioralist. Which would be a $200 initial session and then who knows from there.
Or I can put him on the medication. She couldn’t give me the exact amount but says that it isn’t “too bad” She says there is no guarantee that it will work and even if he does it will take at least a month to work.
2 of my friends say I should call up the shelter and try and exchange him for another cat. I would hate to see the cat back in the cage at the shelter. How scared, sad and confused he would be. Other friends say to have him put down. I don’t know, it just seems so harsh to do too. Last night he slept in the bed with his head resting on my arm. He just loves me so much, he is so happy when I come home. I don’t know why he is biting, and threatening people. It feels awful to have to get rid of him, but I know I will feel worse if I do nothing and he bites my son. I still have the scare from when my cat bit my when I was 4.
What would you do. I could really use some input
The vet says I can see a behavioralist. Which would be a $200 initial session and then who knows from there.
Or I can put him on the medication. She couldn’t give me the exact amount but says that it isn’t “too bad” She says there is no guarantee that it will work and even if he does it will take at least a month to work.
2 of my friends say I should call up the shelter and try and exchange him for another cat. I would hate to see the cat back in the cage at the shelter. How scared, sad and confused he would be. Other friends say to have him put down. I don’t know, it just seems so harsh to do too. Last night he slept in the bed with his head resting on my arm. He just loves me so much, he is so happy when I come home. I don’t know why he is biting, and threatening people. It feels awful to have to get rid of him, but I know I will feel worse if I do nothing and he bites my son. I still have the scare from when my cat bit my when I was 4.
What would you do. I could really use some input
Re: Weird aggression in cat. overreacting?
My cat is/was a little devil 
like that too. He grew out of it. Have you kept a spray bottle at hand? And sprayed him when he does that? I know it is hard to do it everytime unless you get a holster hehe! 
Try to do it as much as possible when he is agressive so he knows who is boss. The long whiney meow is freaky eh? Max used to do that to me while I was on my computer and I couldn't move or he would scratch at me. Sometimes he would do it when I was walking down the hall and he would jump all the way up and bite my shoulder. If he starts the meowing thing, grab the towl and lock him in the bathroom. Time Out persay. Make sure he has litter and water in there though otherwise it is cruel.
It took a while for max and I don't know if it came with age or if he now knows I am boss but he doesn't do it anymore, I can't even think of the last time he did. He is 20 months old now.
I personally would wait it out and do as much as you can to train him when your son is not home and lock him up when your son is there if he is being agressive.
Good Luck!
like that too. He grew out of it. Have you kept a spray bottle at hand? And sprayed him when he does that? I know it is hard to do it everytime unless you get a holster hehe! Try to do it as much as possible when he is agressive so he knows who is boss. The long whiney meow is freaky eh? Max used to do that to me while I was on my computer and I couldn't move or he would scratch at me. Sometimes he would do it when I was walking down the hall and he would jump all the way up and bite my shoulder. If he starts the meowing thing, grab the towl and lock him in the bathroom. Time Out persay. Make sure he has litter and water in there though otherwise it is cruel. It took a while for max and I don't know if it came with age or if he now knows I am boss but he doesn't do it anymore, I can't even think of the last time he did. He is 20 months old now.
I personally would wait it out and do as much as you can to train him when your son is not home and lock him up when your son is there if he is being agressive.
Good Luck!