Cat experts-advice needed, please!

[Simba's Mom]

Tonight when I went to pick up our cat, he lashed out at me and violently scratched my face. He's scratched and/or bitten just about every member of our family (thank goodness we don't have young children), often accompanied by hissing and growling, when things don't go his way. We've always referred to him as our spoiled brat, my "present" to myself when our last child went off to college. Well, now he's 5 yo, and although we had him neutered 4 years ago, he still acts like he's got a major testosterone thing or something. Is there any hope to improve his behavior? As it is now, I'm afraid to get near him again, and almost don't want to be around him. But if we have him put to sleep, that would be such a painful thing-when he's in a good mood, he's just so sweet and loving. Problem is, he can change in the blink of an eye. Help-any advice? This is such a hard thing to deal with-what to do!

 

[BethR]

Simba's Mom.

It is so frustrating when someone we love can be like Jekyl and Hyde. I have no other advice for you except perhaps to talk to your vet. Or join an on-line pet discussion board like this - there is a nice one at www.greatpets.com

Good Luck! I hope that you find a way to tame your tiger.

 

[Rajah]

Yes there is hope. But, I'll have to refer you to another set of boards to get the best advice for that help. But THERE IS HOPE! Don't put him to sleep yet.

Hop over to www.ivillage.com/pets/boards and go to the "Think like a cat" board and repeat this there (you can tell them I sent you if you'd like, or not, either way I'm tRajah over there). I'd offer to post for you, but with a situation like this, you'll likely want multiple posts to help get things going in the right direction.

First thing, though, you'll want to take him to the vet and make sure there wasn't a medical reason for him lashing out at you this time. That'll be the first thing they'll ask you.

Good luck, and keep us posted?

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

I have two cats. I love them both, but they are very different. One loves to be loved...has to be on your lap or right up against you 24/7. The other one would rather never be handled, although he likes to hang out near us...just an arm's length away all of the time.

My point...if you know that your cat can react badly to being handled, don't handle him unless he instigates it. Cats aren't like dogs and they don't always want or need affection.

Good luck, and take your cues from the cat.

 

[goofygirl]

Take him to the vet for a checkup.

Did he ever LIKE to be picked up? One of mine HATES it, always has. She's declawed so she cant scratch. Some cats just hate to be picked up.

I'd just stop picking him up, unless absolutely necessary. Does he like to be petted? I'd just pet him, and give him some TLC.

 

[catsrule]

Hope everything works out with your kitty. Maybe he just doesn't like to be held. You got some great advice here.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Thanks for every one's imput. I've gone to both websites and gotten some great advice there too. Now we have options of what to do. I appreciate the support.

 

[BethR]

Let us know how things progress Simba's Mom. I am sure that things will not improve overnight. But I will be interested to hear how things improve.