My cat is evil

[Miss Jasmine]

I would get his bladder checked again. Boy cats have a real problem with infections. Kitty went through a time himself where he had one almost constantly. Finally I had to buy food prescribed by the vet (a special science diet) and then later I was able to move down to regular science diet. We have not had a problem since (and it has been 5 to 6 years). His infections were so bad that the vet kept him for observation one time.

 

[disneyluvers]

JMHO, but if you go through the meds and get the urinary problem fixed maybe what Luigi needs is some companionship. Maybe he needs a cat to play with and associate with. It doesn't sound to me like Shadow is very receptive in a cat sort of way.

If Luigi is really loving toward your son and is an all around good cat maybe he just needs some companionship from another cat. Mine are brother and sister and I know that each of them would have been a handful if we had not taken them together. Some cats just don't have the self esteem to be ignored by other cats.

Like I said, JMHO.

 

[jel0511]

Here is my take on the situation. First off, I'd get the cat re-checked for a urinary problem or possible infection from the "meatball" removal. Second thing I'd do is change the food you're using. Most, if not all, grocery store pet foods contain TONS of ash, which is very bad for any cats with possible urinary problems. Even those labeled "for urinary tract health" can be very bad. You'll have to start buying the more expensive foods, but if it works, you won't mind. I've always fed my cats Science Diet, and they've never had a problem, but those grocery store foods can wreck havoc on sensitive cats. Also, I think another problem is that you received the kitten too young. 5 weeks is WAY TOO young for a kitten to be weaned from it's mother, and can cause MAJOR bahaviorial problems. The kittens really never learn how to act (the example you give of the kitten with your son in bed is a perfect example) properly since they were too little to be removed. Unforunately, if this is the case, there is usually little you can do, with the exception of medicating the cat. Kitty prozac might help in this case, but it can get expensive and might not help in the long run. You just might have a scenario that you had a kitten that was too little to be "alone" and when another larger, more experienced cat was placed in the picture he got scared and defensive, since he didn't know what to do, since those skills were not yet learned. I will not take a kitten into my home until they are at least 12 weeks old for that exact reason. There are only babies as well, and do need to learn some behaviors from other kitties, and they haven't even had a chance at 5 weeks.

First thing I'd do is take the cat back to the vet for another exam with regards to the "meatball" removal and infection. While there, talk to the vet about the obvious behaviorial problems this cat has. Maybe you will be able to find a solution, but if not, you might have to find another home for this cat, since it truly might be better off in a one pet household.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by jel0511
Also, I think another problem is that you received the kitten too young. 5 weeks is WAY TOO young for a kitten to be weaned from it's mother, and can cause MAJOR bahaviorial problems.

We had no choice. We found Luigi alone, abandoned and half dead at 5 weeks. Someone had obviously tossed him. I think the main problem is that SHADOW has always been afraid of Luigi. SHADOW came from a home where the owner had a large standard poodle who terrorized this poor cat. He literally lived under the owners bed for 3 years. He hid in our home for months before he started to venture out. I think that Luigi learned early that Shadow was afraid of him. Luigi is definitely the alpha male.

I kept them on the same cat food up until week or so ago and switched to the expensive special brand of Purina One per my vet's advice. I get it at PetSmart and it is $ 15.99 for an 8 pound container. But I have seen a decrease in coughed up hairballs, less #2's in the litter box, and they both have shiny healthy coats so I feel the cost is justified.

So far as the infection, he has two days left of a 14 day supply of antibotic. I guess I could call and get him rechecked just to be sure.

I have pretty much come to the conclusion that "tough love" is the only way to go. I am arming the squirt gun tonight.

Does anyone know if rubbing his face in "it" would help?

 

[CheshireVal]

No, I don't think rubbing his face in it would help at all. I'm not sure that really works with any pet!

I'd definitely take the poor guy back to the vet ASAP. Sounds like he's a genuinely good kitty for the most part. I mean, ALL cats have their evil moments. Sounds like your biggest concern with Luigi is his peeing. Lots of cats do that when they're just not feeling well. Cats are generally very clean creatures and don't really LIKE going outside of their litter boxes.

Maybe the vet can give you some good advice, or at least try the Prozac, which I've heard works wonders in cases like this.

 

[2bemarried]

Cats are generally very clean creatures and don't really LIKE going outside of their litter boxes.

unless they're marking territory. Our boy cat Max has been marking the downstairs living room b/c he wants to get out and rumble with our neighbors cat. All three of our cats are strictly inside cats...no going outdoors. Well our neighbor lets their gray cat go in and out of the house...so Monty(the cat) will come over and sleep on our back porch to torture Max In return Max marks the floor....the house is only a year old...his marking is driving me

 

[bjgrazi]

Just whatever you do, DON"T put him in a crate in the driveway.

 

[Shannon G]

To make matters worse, Luigi has gone back to peeing everywhere.

I had a similar problem with a cat we used to have. First of all, he was prone to urinary tract problems - he was what our vet called a "crystal former" meaning that, if he ate the regular grocery store variety cat foods he would form little crystals from the magnesium and ash content (I think). The vet showed me what they look like, and they're like little salt crystals. These crystals would then irritate his urinary tract, leading to cronic urinary tract infections. So, we put him on the better food, and got past this issue. Then...

He starts peeing in the house again. Keeps going in the corner of our living room. (He was fixed by the way.) Obviously, I was not a happy camper. So, back to the vet. Turns out the cat was diabetic and apparently uncontrolled diabetes in cats can also cause cronic urinary tract and bladder infections, causing the cat to pee in the house. So, I'd have to agree with everyone who said to get him back to the vet - it sounds like there's still some sort of health problem possibly lurking around.

 

[sandbar]

Luigi is lucky to have you. It sounds like you have really tried your best and I give you a lot of credit. We had a similar situation and I really feel for you.

Besides the other advice here, have you tried isolating him and slowly reintroducing him back into the family? We had a similar problem with our cat that our neighbor threw out of the house and we ended up taking in. He had named her Angel Ann, but I quickly renamed her just plain ol' Kitty. Angel definitely was not an appropriate name for a demon possessed cat. I was at my wits end, when in a last ditch attempt I put her in the basement with litter box, food and water, increasing my 'visitation' with her each day. She loved to chase string, so I'd just sit there and play with her until she wore out. After a few days, she looked forward to seeing me and instead of attacking and biting she started actually purring and rubbing against my legs. I hated the thought of keeping her in a 'prison' , so to speak, but it really worked.

Today, she is really my angel, although the name Kitty just stuck with her. I don't know what I would do without her. She turned out to be so loving and even greets me everytime I come in the door.

 

[catsrule]

My cat is handsome.

 

[MelessaG]

I hear ya, Pete's Mom. My cat has been banished to the garage (along with her food, water, and litter box) because she puked deliberately on the carpet three times. She is in heat (the spaying is this weekend) and I refuse to let her rub that part of herself against my kids' legs and backed up my "no's" with a spray bottle. So, each time I disciplined her she 'taught me a lesson.' I am about 7 mos. pregnant and was nearly sick myself three times today cleaning up after her. She can outrun me, but not DS . So, she is in exile.
I don't mean to make this 'all about me,' I just want you to know I can relate. I tend to agree with other posters here that perhaps Luigi needs a home where he can be the 'only child.' Some cats are just like that. I'm sorry to hear declawing and neutering didn't help as much as you hoped. I know you don't want to get rid of him, and I can tell from reading your posts that you and your son have kind hearts. I also liked the suggestion of isolating the cat for a few days to see if that subdues him somewhat. I wish I had more advice for you. I saw the "my cat is evil" thread and just had to read it since I can relate.

Melessa

 

[winniedapooh]

I offer my sympathies to you and your cat.....but I had to have DH come in so I could read it to him through the tears of laughter. Not for your cat or you, I feel bad for both of you. But.....I loved your writing style, a good end to a lonnnggggg day. Pixie dust to you.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Could it just be a habit now? The spraying I mean? I've heard that sometimes once a cat begins doing that, even having them fixed won't help. I would certainly call the vet and ask some questions.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Thanks for the great advice from everyone. I will try to put him in solitarie confinement, but it will be hard since I don't have a basement. I guess I can use one of the bathrooms. I'm also going to take him to the vet on Saturday to see what we can do.

Luigi can such a sweet kitty sometimes and he and Pete have a special relationship. This morning Luigi was sitting at the end of Pete's bed just waiting for him to wake up. As soon as Pete sat up in the bed, Luigi gave out a little cry and ran to the top of the bed and kept rubbing his face against Pete's face purring and crying out loud. Pete just fell back over with his arm around Luigi and went back to sleep. Even though you could tell it wasn't the most comfortable postion for Luigi, he just laid there next to Pete.

I am very torn about the possiblity of having to find a new home for one of the cats. Luigi is so close to Pete and can be a lot of fun so I know we would miss him. Shadow is very subdued and quiet but can be very loving in a shy sort of way. I would feel so guilty about giving Shadow away especially after the horrid life he just came from. Ugh!

 

[Pete's Mom]

Originally posted by cruisnfamily
Could it just be a habit now? The spraying I mean? I've heard that sometimes once a cat begins doing that, even having them fixed won't help. I would certainly call the vet and ask some questions.

I don't think he has ever "sprayed", he just squats down and pees. I think "spraying" is when they back up against something and "spray" from behind.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by Pete's Mom
I don't think he has ever "sprayed", he just squats down and pees. I think "spraying" is when they back up against something and "spray" from behind.

I don't really know. We had ours fixed early on before that started. I guess that's another question for the vet. Keep us all posted!