Bad Behaviour Cat

[kitty]

Yeah thanks, I am in the middle of reading it

[Christine (Blip)]

  Kitty.  Have you seen this advice from a feline behaviourist who is highly-regarded:

http://www.wizz-catz.co.uk/aggression.html

[kitty]

No progress was made today after all, I just stroked her after she let me she was also purring all of a sudden struck me on my hand and made it bleed. Sorry guys but I pulled away (instinct) she didnt do it again. After I made no eye contact with her, didn't speak to her and I left the room.  Was that the right thing to do?

Thanks all

Oh I will look out for the eyes cos her tail was as still as anything when she did the above.

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Here's something I learned from Lexy and even though I try, two years later I still can't get it right.

Watch the eyes. When the eyes go suddenly black, and she is totally focused on your hand or your arm and nothing else... even if you say her name... she is about to strike.

And then of course yes the tail... I tend to stay away then, I am a constant irritation in her life 

[kitty]

 

Just hope I can control her anger management (biting/scratching my arm).

I am also looking out for different signs now like when her tail flicks that means stop before I ava ya lol I'm getting there.

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Small steps 

[kitty]

Thanks for the artical.

No it happened before I was even pregnant, I would say when she became an adult.

Yeah she has loads of toys, I give her catnip every now and then.

When she is in that state there is no distracting her until she calms down.

This morning I was walking into the bathroom and she pounced on my ankle again, for no reason. I just stopped, stood still and walked away again. She actually didnt do it again :-) now for the rest.......

[Millys Mum]

Did this start when you got pregnant?

Does she have toys to play with? Multi platform cat trees? Cat nip?

Have you tried carrying a fishing rod toy with you and distracting her with that?

A behaviourist could visit you, for about £200 - £250, they will expect a vet check to have been carried out to rule out any medical issues.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

The keeping your hand still really does work.  I had a cat who would go for my hand out of the blue but once I learnt to not respond at all (if you respond, esp by trying to pull your hand away or by shrieking, you are playing the role of the prey and, inadvertently, encouraging the behaviour).  It takes some doing to actually not pull your hand away but it really does work.

It sounds like your cat is exhibiting nervous aggression and what is sometimes referred to as petting and biting syndrome.  This is a really good article about aggression that might help

http://www.messybeast.com/nervous.htm

[Kittybabe (Ruth)]

Agree with the recommended action.  kitty.

My cat is like that, she's 5 now, have had her since she was 3. She still does it and I do the limp hand thing and she goes away. It takes time and patience, you just have to prepare yourself for the fact that it might take her a while to learn.

When mine does this I also look away from her and completely ignore her. Two minutes later she's purring on my lap.

Takes time, patience and understanding. Keep at it. The first time it might not work, until you learn how to really go limp, and how not to jump when she hurts you with scratching or biting. It's hard but it works.

[kitty]

Thanks I am sure I will get there, just get so frustrated.

[ems]

Hi Kitty,

I have to agree with bc's recommended course of action as we have had to this ourselves with our youngest Kiki.

She was approx 12 months old when we got here from a rescue, she had already had a litter and was found living on an allotment. The rescue had done a great job socialising her and on the whole (apart from being really nervous) she was fine with people.

But... we would be stroking her and from nowhere the full "bunny kicking" would start, teeth, claws everything! I was covered in scratches. She once got me right on my chest, looked like i had been wrestling with a mini wolverine 

I know how hard it is but the best course of action is to not jump or shout just slowly move your hand away and then sit still.

It took the best of 6 months to get her totally comfortable and even now (had her nearly 2 years) she wll just jump down when she has had enough and go into another room, only to come back in miaowing for a cuddle within 2 mins!

Hope you manage to get something sorted

 

em
xxx

[kitty]

I didnt say you didnt know I am just saying what happens I came for advice as I am at my wits end not to get into an argument.

Yeah she has the crazed look in her eye as to say I hate you so much you will pay kinda look and she wont give in.
Why does she do it though as sometimes it can be for no reason what so ever. If I knew why I could stop it from happening? Nothing has changed here since having her.

[blackcat]

Your actions, as you are describing them are not what I am recommending. I am guessing when she is attacking your hand she has that crazed cat look in her eyes. When their eyes go like that they are no longer in the same room with you, they are in some primeval forest wrestling with their prey. When the prey goes limp, they pause, their eyes refocus and they look around as if to say 'what was I doing?', then sometimes give your hand a lick and get up looking terribly self-conscious. What you are describing is still offering resistance. Just make your hand completely relaxed. I have had cats for over 30 years, and have had some that have left scars all up and down my arms. I do know what I am talking about here ...

[kitty]

I'm not knocking it, I have tried it and it doesnt work with her. Thats when I take her into the kitchen to cool off, before she runs at me and tries again.

When she does it I have tried pushing her off and ignoring her, that annoys her even more and keeps on and on until I put her into the kitchen. There must be another way?

[blackcat]

trust me, it works. The more you struggle and move your hand, the more she will grip. Try it before you knock it.

[kitty]

you just let your hand go loose, so that it is completely relaxed, she will stop biting. You should then withdraw your hand slowly. If she attacks again, repeat the procedure until you have your hand back.

If I did this I would have no hand left, she grabs my arm with both her front paws and really goes for it. Claws, teeth the lot. I have scars from her she can get that bad and strong.

I dont like smacking her, I dont believe in it. When I did do it I was quite upset about it but I didnt see any other way to deal with her quickly. I really am running out of ideas with her. Dont know what else to do.

[blackcat]

FIrst of all, punishing her will only encourage the behaviour. YOu are returning aggression with aggression and that will only escalate the problem. Secondly, try carrying a ping-pong ball with you, so that when you notice her underfoot, you can drop the pingpong ball and she will attack that instead.

Some cats are ticklish, and if you stroke too hard, or in the wrong place or in the wrong direction, then they will respond by curling up and biting (much the same way I respond when someone tickles me against my will). If, instead of reacting, you just let your hand go loose, so that it is completely relaxed, she will stop biting. You should then withdraw your hand slowly. If she attacks again, repeat the procedure until you have your hand back.

It must be hard, in your third trimester, to keep your cool at times, but remember you are a lot bigger than her and can accidentally hurt her, quite badly if you smack in the wrong place, so view restraining from smacking as good training for when the little one arrives and starts driving you up the wall. I am sure you would not smack them...

[kitty]

Hi all I am new and in need of help with my cat.

I will tell you a little of her background and what my problem is so you get an idea.

My cat is a Moggie and 5 years old.  We had her since she was 12 weeks old (got her from RSPCA).
Generally she is a good cat and likes her own company. She’s very timid as well, always has been since we’ve had her. Scared of her own shadow. She is a spoilt cat, and has the whole house to roam around in.
Normally she is a house cat, she has a cat flap but wont go out she would rather stay in and sleep on our bed. The only time she will go outside is when it is sunny or when someone she knows is outside. She is lazy.

But my problem is one minute she likes to be stroked and the next thing I know she’s scratching and biting me, she can be really vicious at times when doing it. When I push her away she jumps at me and does it even harder. When she does do this I put her in the kitchen to “cool down” for a bit until she calms down. Am I doing the right thing there?
Recently she has been scratching at the front door and meowing (she cant meow she squeaks) I have been pushing her away and saying firmly “no”. The other day I did this a few times and she got annoyed and pounced at my foot and bit me. (I am nearly 8 months pregnant, got very annoyed with her behavior and hit her on her back leg near to her bum). I shouldn’t have done it but I snapped and it was the only way to stop her from being aggressive. Again she went into the kitchen to cool off.
She has a tendency to grab my feet for no reason, whether I am walking past or anything and she will just go for me. As I said she is fine one minute and turns the next.
She has done all this for quite a while now and I am getting really fed up, I have to think of the baby on the way and get her to stop before the arrival.

I have tried a water spray and making a loud noise but it makes her worse. I am pulling my hair out with her now.

Please can you tell me what you think may be the problem, how I can solve it and how I can “punish” her to make her listen and not to do it again.

Thank you