Topic: My cat has a split personality! (Read 6200 times)

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #23 on:** January 06, 2012, 22:06:26 PM »

I have to say that I agree that to keep him in at night is best as night is the worst time for accidents as cats see the roads more empty and take chances and cars tend to travel faster cos the roads are empty.

My two big cats are scared of the traffic sounds and dont and hope it will stay that way, go out at the front.

I am now allowing Lupin to bite me lol and he puts his teeth on me and doesnt bite but if I pull away he will chase my hand, fingers and be more vicious cos i think he sees it as a game.

He is like a whirl wind and he bounces LOL

funkiechicken · « **Reply #22 on:** January 06, 2012, 18:50:25 PM »

They are like children - you will never stop worrying about them

Good luck!
....and I hope once hes been "de-pea'd" he will settle his split personality down and you will no longer get shredded at unsuspecting moments!!

Jules5645 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 06, 2012, 18:18:59 PM »

Well the cat flap has arrived and is being fitted next week. I have decided that for the next few weeks I will unlock the cat flap while I am in to gauge how he gets on but keep it locked whilst I'm out. Am having him neutered at the end of this month as he will be six months old on the 20th and will let him out more then depending how he gets on.

I live in a cul-de-sac but unfortunately only a 100m of grass verge and a wire fence are between my house and a main road out of town. As a result I have decided he is going to be safely locked in the house at night!

Thanks for all the advice

funkiechicken · « **Reply #20 on:** January 06, 2012, 15:11:04 PM »

Quote from: Gill (sneakiefeline) on December 31, 2011, 16:21:28 PM

Hopefully once he is neutered a slight improvement may take place but it takes a few weeks for the hormones to die down.
Have to say I am still waiting with Lupin.......................some 5 months later

Aww Gill, the Gorgeous Lupin!!

Sasa needs to stop hiding in the shed and teach this young whipper-snapper who took over her house some rules

Bless her - he must be like a whirl-wind!!

funkiechicken · « **Reply #19 on:** January 06, 2012, 14:56:46 PM »

Well said Lauryn

- who has alot more experience than me!

Like Lauryn's poor Dave (hope shes doing well!!

) Nuggie too got ran over, on a fairly quiet road compared to some...but with Semi-wild animals its hard to protect them from everything

Luckily, I now live in very quiet estate of about 30 houses, with one road that splits into 2 cul-da-sacs. However, i do still worry!

funkiechicken · « **Reply #18 on:** January 06, 2012, 14:46:37 PM »

Quote from: Jules5645 on January 06, 2012, 09:44:35 AM

Glad to know he will probably still be doing it at 9 - will stop waiting patiently for him to grow out of it!!!!
Re letting him out at night, still really undecided as have asked loads of different cat owners at work and amongst friends and opinion is split down the middle. Still have some time tho as cat flap hasn't arrived yet!!
Thanks again

Do rest assured it will lessen and the viciousness will too! I initially thought it was because he was male and he got so purry and drooley that he got a little bit fruity

but I think emmy-lou's book quote really explained alot. I know Nuggie isnt very socialised as far as other cats are concerned. He got on well with his older brother (altho he did try his luck and was quickly punched in the face

) and since Tazi died and I have a new arrival he is getting better (still early days) but he misses alot of the "submission" signals from the newbie and half his problem is Nuggie's scared of Newbie and so he's on the defence.....I have found that he is aggressiveness to me has upped a bit since this, but I just avoid it by gauging his mood.
But as most of the time you have a lovely affectionate puss I dont think its too much of an issue. Like Nuggie he clearly just has days that

him off and we get the brunt of it (much like the dog used to as well, bless her

)

Quote from: emmmy_lou on January 06, 2012, 11:27:13 AM

No idea funky chicken
We dont have a catflap either, but do let them out.
Its up to the individual I think - you have arguements for and against all sides

Think you're right about the catflap. I think its up to you and how your cats are, as they are all different. I've always given mine unlimited freedom when i had a catflap - but you'd be surprised how they still spend alot of time indoors!! LOL just do what you feel comfortable with - taking into account your cats nature and where you live

They might be dribbley babies inside the house - but outside instinct kicks in and they are quite self sufficient

That said, I have just started letting my Newbie out and dispite doing this with my others before i still found my self following him, in my jarmas with a torch and a lump in my throat, worrying.....

Lauryn · « **Reply #17 on:** January 06, 2012, 14:20:11 PM »

It's definitely up to the individual as far as free rein is concerned. It depends on a lot of factors, I think. Whether your cat is confident outside and what kind of area you live in are probably the biggest factors, then there's neutering and vaccinations to consider before they're allowed out. Obviously, he's still little and you'll need to take it slowly with him anyway.

I don't have a cat flap, but what I've done with my kittens is to build it up over a few months. Mine were neutered at 4 months, so we went out together a lot when they were much younger. They'd stay close to me and never left the garden. Believe me, it'll be easier for you to keep an eye on one than it was for me with 4! But at least I had the warmer weather on my side. Then I let them out for maybe half an hour on their own, but went to check on them every couple of minutes. I didn't let them out after dark until very recently and that's mostly because of the short daylight hours. They're 7 months 1 week old today, so it's been a process of about 3 months.

I have two adult cats who lived outside almost permanently before I got them. The tomcat just isn't interested in being outside for any length of time since he was neutered and my female would be outside most of the time if she had her way (but she can't since she's recovering from being run over on Christmas Eve).

I live in a suburb of a large town and the road I live on is very quiet. However, my female wanders quite far and managed to get onto the main road to be run over in daylight. The argument against him being outside at night is that drivers are far less likely to see him.

You know what kind of area you live in and how populated by cars it is, so this is definitely your decision to make. However, I'd probably keep the lock on at night until he's about a year old.

emmmy_lou · « **Reply #16 on:** January 06, 2012, 11:27:13 AM »

No idea funky chicken

We dont have a catflap either, but do let them out.

Its up to the individual I think - you have arguements for and against all sides

Jules5645 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 06, 2012, 09:44:35 AM »

Thanks for letting me know that its not just me! When you describe Nuggie as 'lunging' that's exactly what Charlie does. He will turn round usually start with a lick and then a bite. He then launches himself at either my arm or leg (whichever is easiest to reach). I push him off and he launches himself again wrapping his paws around and having a real go! He did it last night and I only shut him in the kitchen for about five mins before he came back in all over me with affection and then sat contently on my lap for the rest of the evening. Glad to know he will probably still be doing it at 9 - will stop waiting patiently for him to grow out of it!!!!

Re letting him out at night, still really undecided as have asked loads of different cat owners at work and amongst friends and opinion is split down the middle. Still have some time tho as cat flap hasn't arrived yet!!

Thanks again

funkiechicken · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2012, 23:49:04 PM »

Helloo! &

My cat Nuggie is very much like your little fella - I got him at 5 weeks and although he had his older brother, who did put him in his place with a punch on the head, he would "turn on me" from time to time like yours.

Thanks also emmy-lou your post has opened my eyes a bit about it and i did think it was because people did use their hands as toys when he was young and although i put a stop to it, i thought it was a habit of somesort? So thats really interesting

Jules5645....Nuggie is 9 &half years old and still does this on occasion....sorry for the news

LOL...BUT it is not as vicious and he doesnt "lunge" at me anymore and hasnt done since he was a year or 2. I have learnt to read him very effectively and this avoids its all. I know very well when Jekyll is turning to Hyde and just remove my hand or just focus on the TV

occasionally though he does gentle little nips (very friendly though and usually when he is getting impatient lol) in return I gentley put pressure on his scruff, like a gentle little return nip and he purrs and does his friendly nip again. Not sure if its anything related or just another quirky little thing does? lol - emmy-lou might know!?
But on the whole the older he got the less aggression displayed

(although he is a little on edge at the mo, as i have a new addition

)
As for the free rein - I have always given that with my cats (although I dont currently have a cat flap, nor do i have anywhere to put one

) but on a personal opinion I preferred mine to be more active on a night. Less People around if any and the same goes for traffic....but thats just me. It has backfired now I do not have a catflap. I'm up, I'm down, one in, one out, both out, one in

then theres getting woken up at silly o'clock!

The upside to 24hr cat flap is the litter tray becomes practically obsolete

Good luck!!

Jules5645 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 03, 2012, 21:25:50 PM »

Hi. Thanks for that it sounds about right because he looks really confused when I push him away as though he can't quite understand what happened! I have spent a fortune on cat behaviour books over the past few weeks but that sounds the best advice so far. I have had a period where I was really reluctant to let him out due to the flea problem he brought with him but realised yesterday that I was being really selfish so am allowing him out again. He seems a 'little' more relaxed but still biting me!! Have ordered a microchip cat flap to give him free rein and hopefully that will help because he gets really excited when he goes out and comes running in to jump on me and then run back out again as though checking I'm still there. I NEVER thought I would get this attached to a cat!!! The next big decision is whether the free rein extends throughout the night or do I lock the cat flap at night!!

Thanks again for your help

emmmy_lou · « **Reply #12 on:** January 03, 2012, 20:44:01 PM »

Hi again jules - I have just been reading a book I got as a christmas pressie and they have the following to say about aggression towards people:-
The kitten relaxes as it would with its mother, enjoying the attention, then the adult side takes over. It lashes out biting and kicking.
It is best to try to predict when this may arise, and only engage in frequent but short periods of contact so it never quite reaches this point. The periods can be increased gradually, and during this period it is essential to avoid sensitive areas (abdomen, hind legs) in some cases it is wise to restrict it to the back and the head.
Hope this is of some help, but sounds like it is something that will be grown out of at least!

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2011, 16:21:28 PM »

Hopefully once he is neutered a slight improvement may take place but it takes a few weeks for the hormones to die down.

Have to say I am still waiting with Lupin.......................some 5 months later

Hope 2012 is great for you

Jules5645 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2011, 11:10:42 AM »

Thanks again to all the posts. Yes Charlie was definitely too young to be separated from his mum as he suckled everything and anything until he was about four months. He seems to have grown out of that tho. However I am glad I got him when I did because he didn't come from a particularly responsible home. His owner doesn't innoculate, worm or neuter her cats and Charlie arrived with an infestation of fleas (which took about 2 months to completely eradicate from the house - certainly not the nicest introduction to being a cat owner!). I intend to get him neutered next month and I have been told that this sometimes makes male cats less aggressive so time will tell!

I think I have to be thankful for what I have which is an incredible bond with Charlie 99% of the time and would not be without him.

Here's to a less aggressive 2012 and a happy new year to everybody

To emmmy_lou. I am certainly not offended re your suggestion about da bird it is definitely one I didn't consider. It just seemed the obvious progression as he would pounce on his furry mice as though going in for the kill

Lauryn · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2011, 09:13:58 AM »

I use those kinds of toys all the time with my lot. It doesn't seem to cause them any trouble, but maybe I'm wrong.

8 weeks is slightly younger than ideal (12 being ideal), so he may not have been totally socialised, but it's fairly common for them to be separated at that age. In my experience, though, toms in particular do just have a switch and you need to remove yourself from the situation. Henry, my family's cat, does it to me often. He's a lot slower than mine and about 4 or 5 years older than my eldest, so I don't think it's that, but it's certainly not nice.

It's hard to let them know why they're being punished, yes. That's why it doesn't often work. What you're doing isn't wrong, though. Try not to think of it as a punishment, just a way of separating yourself. I'd suggest you walk away (which is what I do with Henry), but if he's going to chase you, then this isn't easy. Locking him in another room is the best thing you can do, I think.

emmmy_lou · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2011, 23:35:30 PM »

I dont know what others think but I didn't get da bird til my 2 were about a year old? Can a cat be too much of a 'hunter'???
Sorry if I offend because it is a great toy and as I say I am a new cat owner myself...

Jules5645 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2011, 23:14:55 PM »

Thanks to all the posts I am so glad I found this site as astounded by the quick response. Charlie was 8 weeks old when I got him and very early on found my hands a great toy! I trained him very quickly that hands were not an option, to the point that I can even reward him with fuss when he catches his fave toy (the infamous da bird) by stroking him and he makes no attempt to bite me other than to look in my direction. That's why I find his behaviour so un-explained he KNOWS biting is wrong yet at his height of purring pleasure he switches instantly to devil cat for no reason whatsoever! I am not touching his tummy (which he hates) and am only fussing him where he is forcefully asking me to fuss him. It is really frustrating cos I am punishing him by locking him in the kitchen and am not convinced that he knows he is doing wrong!

sheilarose · « **Reply #6 on:** December 30, 2011, 21:13:23 PM »

to you and Charlie.

Try him on high protein food - if my Sammy gets too much cereal (like Go-Cat or Iams dry) he becomes violent like your Charlie. He has an intolerance to grain that makes him hyper. It might work for Charlie.

Try rubbing a little Bitter Apple spray (from Amazon) into your skin, it's safe but tastes horrible and he'll only bite you once more

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #5 on:** December 30, 2011, 20:12:25 PM »

Lupin sees anything moving as something to play with and bite and he will even pull my hand to his mouth so he can pirahana it......sigh

I think you are taking the only option.

Lauryn · « **Reply #4 on:** December 30, 2011, 18:09:05 PM »

I was having a think on this and mine started to challenge their mother's dominance at about that age. A possibility, perhaps? They left me alone because Dave is quite clearly the boss in this house, she's the only one who can be challenged.

emmmy_lou · « **Reply #3 on:** December 30, 2011, 17:09:50 PM »

I'm no expert either as am a new cat owner myself, time out seems good. Do make sure you never use your hands as 'toys' as well tho - I know its easily done, unintentionally sometimes!
Is it when you rub his belly? Or is it one place in particular he doesn't like?
Welcome to purrs, am sure others will be along with some advice

Lauryn · « **Reply #2 on:** December 30, 2011, 17:03:29 PM »

I'm no expert, but I have kittens a little older than him and have read a little about it. How old was Charlie when he was separated from his littermates/mother? I've read that their play fighting can be too rough when they don't have another cat to play with for the right amount of time because they don't learn boundaries. The way a mother would deal with it is to ignore it, but that's not easy, I know! My 7 month olds bite me and they always have (I've had them from birth), but they're definitely doing it in the same way they do with their brothers and sisters.

Sounds to me like you're not doing anything wrong, you've just got to learn not to give him any attention when he starts and get to know the pattern so that you can avoid it a little better. Separating yourself from him is a good idea as far as I can see.

Jules5645 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 30, 2011, 16:45:47 PM »

I have a 5 month old kitten called charlie who I love very much and the feeling appears to be mutual. He follows me everywhere (even in the shower) and was even excited to see me after spending 12 days in a Cattery despite everyone telling me he would sulk! The problem I have is that he bites me without warning, I can be having a loving fuss with him where he clearly wants fuss as when I stop he forcefully nudges my hand back to where he wants it. He then seems to flick a switch where he launches himself at me! He is clearly not playing as he sinks his teeth into me drawing blood and pursues me when I push him away. The only thing that stops him is me locking him in the kitchen for 15 mins. He then comes out as the affectionate cat that I love. Can anyone give me a clue what I'm doing wrong? I am a first time kitten/cat owner desperate to do the right thing and would welcome any advice.

Author Topic: My cat has a split personality! (Read 6200 times)