Rajah, all of 5 months has been alternatively cute and endearing, and aggressive and destructive. He is an indoor cat, now approaching 5 months, and has moments of biting, tearing and clawing. He will go absolutely crazy, virtually bouncing off the walls and furniture with ears back, and if we try and touch him or restrain him, will bite and claw like mad. Sometimes he will be sitting quietly on our laps, because he does enjoy a good cuddle, and suddenly for no reason attack our hands and bite and scratch. I thought it may be aggressive play, if there is such a thing, but am a little concerned that it may be something "in" him, which he will not outgrow. He also attacks our legs when we walk passed him, and if he is lying on the bed with us at night, he will attack us when we move, scratching and tearing the duvet cover and will pounce on our heads and faces even, with claws out. How do I go about stopping this behaviour, or is it a kitten thing and will he outgrow it, or stop once neutered. I have read that we should ignore this behaviour, but it is extremely difficult when your skin is being ripped off your arm and your hands chewed to pulp. He has destroyed my real plants, my material plants, toilet rolls, kitchen towels, my husband's suit trousers (ouch!
), a camisole of mine and now seems intent on shredding the bed.
Could it also be because he is frustrated at not being able to follow his natural hunting instincts seeing as he is not allowed outside as we live in a flat in a high traffic area?
