Worrisome behavior surfacing

I trapped/neutered/released a tomcat last summer. He was a twice daily visitor for food, who would run as soon as I opened the door.

About four weeks ago, he suddenly turned around. Jumped up on my lap one day, one day later wanted in the house.

He now lives in my spare bedroom. Greggs is very affectionate and cries when noone is in his room. He tries to bite when something frightens him - understandable. He gives VERY hard lovesbites - not so pleasant, but he's learning. During the past week though, he's started to exhibit another very unpleasant attitude - he bites when he doesn't get his way. Generally when I'm getting ready to leave. But sometimes I really don't know what I just did 'wrong' to provoke him. Once I had forgotten to bring food when I went up to spend time with him, so after 1/2 an hour I got up, got food, walked back in, and he bit me right as I put down the bowl. Once I had just walked in and sat down to pet him. He usually gives a brief warning (a short meow), which has enabled me to escape his teeth a couple of times. But if I'm not fast enough, he sinks his teeth in deep. Really deep. Heavily bleeding puncture wounds. On top of everything, yesterday he struck me right across the face, claws out, when I tried to get up and leave 'his' room.

I'm at a loss how to work on this. He seems to understand that this is undesirable behavior, because he will immediately run and hide after he bites. Then again maybe he just hides because my scream frightens him, but sorry, it really hurts...I don't punish him when he bites except for leaving the room.

He gets about 1/2 an hour of my time three times a day. It seems that this behavior started when I tried to introduce him to the other cats, at least while I am at home, so that he could get more time to socialize. After three weeks, he was really eager to get out of the room and tried to sneak out every time I came in. Sniffing through the door crack went fine, exploring the house on his own went fine, being out and about while he was in my attention radius was fine, but the minute I turned around, he went for one of the other cats. Not just a little growling and hissing - he outright attacked. I put him back into his room, new attempt next evening - he charged right out of his room and attacked the first cat in sight. So that one needs some more time and a much slower approach. But now he's not happy in his room (still tries to get out) and his behavior is oftentimes reducing the amount of attention he gets.

Any ideas what is going on? Any suggestions as to how I can stop his attacks on me (which I'm guessing may be re-directed aggression)?

I'm thinking that cat bites can get infected very bad. If you had puncture wounds you should be on antibiotics right now.

Thanks for your concern. Been there, know what to watch for and have the antibiotics at home in case symptoms develop.

And the fire said to me...on Tue, 4 Feb 2003 07:50:47 -0500 (EST) in

<snip: stray cat with cut>

Then perhaps you or your friend should take it to the shelter for proper treatment. OTC humans meds are often poison to pets. Only vet-approved meds should be used as topical antibiotics. The shelter would do this. If there is no shelter or you're afraid they would kill the cat, maybe a vet in your area can provide you with topical ointment. The local pet store (depending where you live) may even have antobiotic ointment for minor cuts. If the cut is lacerated or looks like it needs stitches, though, you aren't doing the cat a favor by not bringing her to a vet or a shelter for proper care, as it could get infected even with ointment.

Hope kitty does okay...

<snip extremely poor advice that also recommends hitting a cat in the face>

Throwing the cat outside when it exhibits frustration and hitting it in the face to show it who's boss is NOT the way to handle this, or any, situation, especially not with a cat that is showing aggression borne out of frustration. I have looked at your 'advice' before, and it is apparent you have no clue about cat behavior or how to deal with it appropriately. Stop posting harmful advice and use that time to learn about why cats do the things they do and how to deal with inappropriate behaviors in a kind and humane fashion. Your 'advice' will only do harm and does not help the cat in the least.

Megan

'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:

I don't know where you got this idea from, but it is totally and utterly bad, wrong advice. One should NEVER deal with an aggressive cat using 'more' aggression, or *any* aggression for that matter. It will only instill fear and cause the cat to react with *more* aggression because it will become afraid and defensive. Patience, kindness and gentle treatment are the most effective methods to use when dealing with an aggressive cat. That's just common sense.

Megan

'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:

Another thing I need to add is that I would definitely get a Feliway diffuser and plug that in in his room. It will help him to feel more secure in his surroundings. I used these in my own home when I had some major changes going on that upset the balance and resulted in several cats fighting. The fighting stopped immediately after I plugged the diffusers in and harmony reigned once more. Adding one or two more in common areas of your house when you eventually start to work on an introduction to the other cats would be an excellent idea as well.

Megan

'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'

-Edmund Burke

Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Zuzu's Cats Photo Album:

techniques to modify its behavior. As a last resort, swat the cat on the nose with your open hand when it bites you or attempts to bite you. The idea is to cause the cat discomfort, but not injure it.

Are you ignorant, stupid, or both?