Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Are there any animal psychologists out there with some advice about my violent cat?
I have a 4 year old neutered male cat, I rescued him when he was 1, he had been living wild. He is a wonderful, playful cat, but he will stalk me about the house, run up and bite me on the leg or foot. I tell him, loudly no! bad cat! but he keeps doing it...any suggestions?Are there any animal psychologists out there with some advice about my violent cat?
He is playing cat and mouse you are the mouse. My brother's cat did that but stopped when they got a dog she didn't like. Now another cat moved in and the first lives under the bed.Are there any animal psychologists out there with some advice about my violent cat?
As other posters said, your cat is having fun, and he's not going to stop doing it unless he no longer is rewarded.
If you can predict when he does, it will go a lot faster than if react after he attacks. You could put him in a collar with a bell on it, it will be annoying for a few days, but it will let you know where he is at all times.
So if you can predict when he will attack, Preempt him. When you hear him charge, turn around and charge back. Or quickly scoop him up and hold him close to you, when he starts struggling, hold for a few seconds more and put him down. You don't want to scare him, just annoy him so he stops. Don't do anything that you think will scare him. You can even divert him with a toy thrown away from you. Just remember, timing is everything, and you need to stop him before he gets rewarded (the satisfaction of jumping on you) or else this won't work. You also need to be consistant and stop him every single time. Let him through once, and it reinforces that he needs to try harder to get you.
If you can't predict when he will charge, you will have to punish after the fact. Immediately after he gets you, pick him up and hold him close for a few seconds, enough so he gets annoyed, or you can do kitty time out, where he gets locked in a room for a few minutes. It will take much longer to train. I wouldn't yell, it will just encourage him, but going this route means it takes a lot longer for your cat to understand the punishment is linked to pouncing on you.
Good luck!
It definitely sounds like your cat is playing with you. Have you tried providing toys that you cat can hunt and attack instead of you? Have you tried using water spray bottles before an attack? If you can identify when your cat is about to attack you use a sprits of water immediately at the first sign of attack. If you can catch your cat before it attacks it could be very effective. While enforcing the spray bottle for negative behavior make sure to also reward your cat when it is being calm and relaxing with you to reinforce that this type of behavior is good.
Back on the topic of toys, you may want to invest in different types of toys so that your cat might attack the toys over you. Toys that move, hand or bounce around are good. My cat really likes to attack smaller catnip toys that I got from Petsmart. He鈥檚 also in love with attacking a shiny gold gift ribbon.
Also, I鈥檓 not sure who you live with, but you鈥檒l want to make sure that no one is play fighting with your cat. Play fighting with a cat reinforces that the aggressive behavior is OK and is actually doing more harm than good 鈥?especially when you鈥檙e trying to teach that it is not OK.
I have a cat from the local Animal Control. She had been there for months, evidently because of running up to people and scratching the back of the knee. She always wants something when she does this. Hiss at him when he stalks.
Make sure you play with him often when he isn't stalking. I think this a cat with lots of prey drive/playfulness. It is a social animal that has bad manners.
Our attack kitty would attack the dogs and go for the eyes or the boys' groins. Very bad, mean girl! She almost never attacks anymore unless we haven't gotten her more food and she has asked politely.
Be consistent and give it time!
well im not a psychologist but ill still try to help you out! :) If you see him stalking you, turn around and say no very sternly, dont yell though. If he bites you, spray him with a little bottle when ever he does this. Eventually he will learn that he gets sprayed when he bites.
He's just trying to play. Mine does the same. I don't mind it.
I'm not for physical reprimanding or ';the water spraying'; technique so...
I recommend wearing thick pants.
Or when you see him stalking...run up to him before he does to you. He'll most likely run away.
cry out REALLY loud in pain, even if it doesn't hurt.Your cat is trying to play so I would play with him more often, 15 mins at a time at least.
It definitely sounds like he is playing with you. Most cats are reluctant to stop a behavior that they enjoy, especially one that they have been doing for a long time. Have you tried carrying a spray bottle of water and squirting him when he does this? It doesn't hurt them but most cats hate it. If you are consistent with him he may stop. If you shake your foot a lot he will probably just think you are playing back. Most animals think that quick movement is either threatening or playful so maybe when he's attacking you stay still. Or if you see him stalking you you could stop moving around for a while until he gets bored or go sit down somewhere. Most cats that I have had experience with have had no concept of the word NO and bad cat meant nothing to them. Try hissing loudly with your tongue just to get his attention. If it is an obsessive thing a loud noise a lot of times will break his concentration and shift his focus. Good luck! Hope something there helps
Make sure you play with him for at least 15 minutes per day. Otherwise they will get bored and make up games of their own, (like this).
Don't assume automatically that cats that bite are vicious creatures. You must distinct between play-biting and real aggressive biting. Kittens for example like to play, and sometimes pretty rough. They use their claws and teeth to wrestle with each other. This is how they learn to hunt and catch prey, so that鈥檚 normal. They usually go unharmed because their fur protects them from serious wounds. However, human skin is a different story, but kittens don't know that.
When you stroke your kitten it can take it as an invitation to play and clasps your hand and bites. That might hurt a little but is generally nothing to worry about. Some cats make a sport out of leg biting. They jump up on you and dig in. Research has show that it鈥檚 a sort of unsatisfied hunting and prey instinct and lack of activity.
- Teach your kitten from an early age that hands are for feeding and stroking and NOT a toy!
- Avoid playing with your bare hands
- Use a fluffy toy or a feather on a string instead
- In case it grabs your hand, draw it away slowly and do NOT punish your cat, it will understand it as an attack and make matters worse.
- Anytime your cat scratches or bites you, make a loud yowling sound to show that you have been hurt, (even if you really aren鈥檛 hurt). Your cat will understand.
- If your cat is a ';leg biter'; try to spend more time playing with it and redirect its attack to a toy. Leave toys lying around so that he can also amuse itself, particular when you keep your cat indoors. Cats need a wide variety of toys to keep them interested, so don鈥檛 expect a couple toy mice to help.
He is playing cat and mouse you are the mouse. My brother's cat did that but stopped when they got a dog she didn't like. Now another cat moved in and the first lives under the bed.Are there any animal psychologists out there with some advice about my violent cat?
As other posters said, your cat is having fun, and he's not going to stop doing it unless he no longer is rewarded.
If you can predict when he does, it will go a lot faster than if react after he attacks. You could put him in a collar with a bell on it, it will be annoying for a few days, but it will let you know where he is at all times.
So if you can predict when he will attack, Preempt him. When you hear him charge, turn around and charge back. Or quickly scoop him up and hold him close to you, when he starts struggling, hold for a few seconds more and put him down. You don't want to scare him, just annoy him so he stops. Don't do anything that you think will scare him. You can even divert him with a toy thrown away from you. Just remember, timing is everything, and you need to stop him before he gets rewarded (the satisfaction of jumping on you) or else this won't work. You also need to be consistant and stop him every single time. Let him through once, and it reinforces that he needs to try harder to get you.
If you can't predict when he will charge, you will have to punish after the fact. Immediately after he gets you, pick him up and hold him close for a few seconds, enough so he gets annoyed, or you can do kitty time out, where he gets locked in a room for a few minutes. It will take much longer to train. I wouldn't yell, it will just encourage him, but going this route means it takes a lot longer for your cat to understand the punishment is linked to pouncing on you.
Good luck!
It definitely sounds like your cat is playing with you. Have you tried providing toys that you cat can hunt and attack instead of you? Have you tried using water spray bottles before an attack? If you can identify when your cat is about to attack you use a sprits of water immediately at the first sign of attack. If you can catch your cat before it attacks it could be very effective. While enforcing the spray bottle for negative behavior make sure to also reward your cat when it is being calm and relaxing with you to reinforce that this type of behavior is good.
Back on the topic of toys, you may want to invest in different types of toys so that your cat might attack the toys over you. Toys that move, hand or bounce around are good. My cat really likes to attack smaller catnip toys that I got from Petsmart. He鈥檚 also in love with attacking a shiny gold gift ribbon.
Also, I鈥檓 not sure who you live with, but you鈥檒l want to make sure that no one is play fighting with your cat. Play fighting with a cat reinforces that the aggressive behavior is OK and is actually doing more harm than good 鈥?especially when you鈥檙e trying to teach that it is not OK.
I have a cat from the local Animal Control. She had been there for months, evidently because of running up to people and scratching the back of the knee. She always wants something when she does this. Hiss at him when he stalks.
Make sure you play with him often when he isn't stalking. I think this a cat with lots of prey drive/playfulness. It is a social animal that has bad manners.
Our attack kitty would attack the dogs and go for the eyes or the boys' groins. Very bad, mean girl! She almost never attacks anymore unless we haven't gotten her more food and she has asked politely.
Be consistent and give it time!
well im not a psychologist but ill still try to help you out! :) If you see him stalking you, turn around and say no very sternly, dont yell though. If he bites you, spray him with a little bottle when ever he does this. Eventually he will learn that he gets sprayed when he bites.
He's just trying to play. Mine does the same. I don't mind it.
I'm not for physical reprimanding or ';the water spraying'; technique so...
I recommend wearing thick pants.
Or when you see him stalking...run up to him before he does to you. He'll most likely run away.
cry out REALLY loud in pain, even if it doesn't hurt.Your cat is trying to play so I would play with him more often, 15 mins at a time at least.
It definitely sounds like he is playing with you. Most cats are reluctant to stop a behavior that they enjoy, especially one that they have been doing for a long time. Have you tried carrying a spray bottle of water and squirting him when he does this? It doesn't hurt them but most cats hate it. If you are consistent with him he may stop. If you shake your foot a lot he will probably just think you are playing back. Most animals think that quick movement is either threatening or playful so maybe when he's attacking you stay still. Or if you see him stalking you you could stop moving around for a while until he gets bored or go sit down somewhere. Most cats that I have had experience with have had no concept of the word NO and bad cat meant nothing to them. Try hissing loudly with your tongue just to get his attention. If it is an obsessive thing a loud noise a lot of times will break his concentration and shift his focus. Good luck! Hope something there helps
Make sure you play with him for at least 15 minutes per day. Otherwise they will get bored and make up games of their own, (like this).
Don't assume automatically that cats that bite are vicious creatures. You must distinct between play-biting and real aggressive biting. Kittens for example like to play, and sometimes pretty rough. They use their claws and teeth to wrestle with each other. This is how they learn to hunt and catch prey, so that鈥檚 normal. They usually go unharmed because their fur protects them from serious wounds. However, human skin is a different story, but kittens don't know that.
When you stroke your kitten it can take it as an invitation to play and clasps your hand and bites. That might hurt a little but is generally nothing to worry about. Some cats make a sport out of leg biting. They jump up on you and dig in. Research has show that it鈥檚 a sort of unsatisfied hunting and prey instinct and lack of activity.
- Teach your kitten from an early age that hands are for feeding and stroking and NOT a toy!
- Avoid playing with your bare hands
- Use a fluffy toy or a feather on a string instead
- In case it grabs your hand, draw it away slowly and do NOT punish your cat, it will understand it as an attack and make matters worse.
- Anytime your cat scratches or bites you, make a loud yowling sound to show that you have been hurt, (even if you really aren鈥檛 hurt). Your cat will understand.
- If your cat is a ';leg biter'; try to spend more time playing with it and redirect its attack to a toy. Leave toys lying around so that he can also amuse itself, particular when you keep your cat indoors. Cats need a wide variety of toys to keep them interested, so don鈥檛 expect a couple toy mice to help.
I need your advice I really need some help don't know what to do what would be best for my little girl?
Her mother and I are curently going through a court battle in regards to her residence. I asked what contact I can have with my daughter until then but on all the dates I have proposed she has said she is working. But she said she only works every 2nd Sat so I can see her this Sat but then in the same letter she said she is working every weekend until Sat 7th July (as you can see this is not every 2nd Sat) But then she went on to say if I drop going for residence then I can have her for half the holidays and staying contact every fortnight comencing this weekend. Should I give up on residence and take the contact or should I stick to my initial intentions.I need your advice I really need some help don't know what to do what would be best for my little girl?
Whatever you feel to be best for your daughter...However,do it through the court so that she cannot keep changing the rules,which she may well do if something upsets her....I need your advice I really need some help don't know what to do what would be best for my little girl?
Wait a minute, your screen name is Deborah A. You are fighting for custody of a 3 year old with your EX WIFE? Was it a lesbian marriage? I am so lost. '; Now the child is calling another man daddy. '; Way lost.
I gave up the fight, I believed what I was told. Silly me trusted there dad would stick to his word. I spent 7years with out my children. I have returned letters and memories of them telling me to f off. Stick to your guns.
Go for what is best for your daughter - your feelings and your wife's feeling do not count in this instance - your daughter is paramount.
I am not saying this lightly - sounds like wife is using her against you.
Continue fighting for residence. Your daughters Mother will continue playing these vicious games. Just by doing what she is doing now by denying visitation with your daughter is proof enough that she is not a good mother. It may be hard right now but think of how much harder it will be when she holds all the cards. Fight for your little girl you are what is best for her.
Hi,
I would stick to your initial intentions, because there is nothing stopping her changing her mind, when it suits her!.
At least with the courts, a decision will be met, and you both will have to stick to it!.
So keep going, don't let her bully you into changing your mind, good luck.
If your reasons for residencial custody are legit then stick to your guns. But remember to handle this situation in the best interest of your daughter and not out of spite for each other for the problems that led to this situation. Always be friendly and compromise with every situation, she will come around and before you know it, you will have this situation worked out totally different then the court orders.....Just always be friendly and walk away when the situation is not.
I dont belive in trying to take a child off the mother unless there is a good reason as in drugs or abuse doing it to get back at someone is wrong.I think you should have the right to see your daughter and she shouldnt be putting barriers up if you two cant come to an agreement together get a mediator you could drop the residence order to keep the peace but go to court and get access sorted .You both need to realise that its whats best for the child at the end of the day and there is no point trying to get back at each other you need to talk to your ex and sort it out because your just going to end up hurting your daughter .Your trying to take your daughter away from the mother which i think would do more harm than good to the child im sure you could be civilised with your ex for the sake of your child.
Try explaining this to her mother, say how you feel, try not to gety heated or too upset as it may result in her shutting down and things becomming more difficult. It could be she is really buisy and isnt thinking straight or it could be more sinister than that- that shes trying to deter you from seeing your daughter, its hard to say from whats happening and what you have described, maybe ask her what her motives are? (in a quizative way a oppose to iterally shouting at her ';what is the meaning of this...';
My guess is shes written to you so try responding to her in the same way, by letter, photocopy and keep the original with everything you do. Give her a few days to respond and if she doesnt then your left with not much choice if you want to see your child.
I hate to say it as they are pricey but this is what lawyers are there for, they do cost but atleast you know things that do happen will near enough be written in stone and contradicotry letters are likely to be a thing of the past as a lawyer will be writing a letter and not her.
I know you have the childs interests at heart, but please try to keep calm and just be there (if you do get the opportunity) for your daughter, as a product of a divorced relationship, I can say for me the negative effects of divorce are the arguements before the divorce (which apparently were much about me and my sister- though with no thanks from either me or my sister!) and are the parts where the child feels very uneasy and worried and their entire world is changing and all they can see is one or the other parent whom they depend on will not be around as much- if atall, and this means they loose a big part of their live that they have always had there. Its abit like having a docor tell you, you will loose both your legs or both your arms or soimething, and that there is no wheel chair or crutches or whatever, you just have to go with it. Arguing over it worsens the build up which makes it all the more painful for everyone involved.
You do sound like you have her best interests at heart and I'm sure my parents did too. But I also think they let their pride rule thier decisions and the ';sticking together for the children'; which they also did for 8 years also doesnt work!
I hope it works out for you I really do, I can appreciate its hard for fathers, but if its any help, my dad won custody of both me and my sister (my mum didnt have enough money to house us both and my dad said he wouldnt pay for my violin lessons if he didnt get custody.) my dad was very manipulative though so I dont recommend doing this. Its resulted in me hating him and my sister feeling sorry for him. It seems the truth will out in the end as I'm not the first to have experienced a situation like this I'm sure!
You will always be a part of your daughters life and please dont forget this!
Whatever you feel to be best for your daughter...However,do it through the court so that she cannot keep changing the rules,which she may well do if something upsets her....I need your advice I really need some help don't know what to do what would be best for my little girl?
Wait a minute, your screen name is Deborah A. You are fighting for custody of a 3 year old with your EX WIFE? Was it a lesbian marriage? I am so lost. '; Now the child is calling another man daddy. '; Way lost.
I gave up the fight, I believed what I was told. Silly me trusted there dad would stick to his word. I spent 7years with out my children. I have returned letters and memories of them telling me to f off. Stick to your guns.
Go for what is best for your daughter - your feelings and your wife's feeling do not count in this instance - your daughter is paramount.
I am not saying this lightly - sounds like wife is using her against you.
Continue fighting for residence. Your daughters Mother will continue playing these vicious games. Just by doing what she is doing now by denying visitation with your daughter is proof enough that she is not a good mother. It may be hard right now but think of how much harder it will be when she holds all the cards. Fight for your little girl you are what is best for her.
Hi,
I would stick to your initial intentions, because there is nothing stopping her changing her mind, when it suits her!.
At least with the courts, a decision will be met, and you both will have to stick to it!.
So keep going, don't let her bully you into changing your mind, good luck.
If your reasons for residencial custody are legit then stick to your guns. But remember to handle this situation in the best interest of your daughter and not out of spite for each other for the problems that led to this situation. Always be friendly and compromise with every situation, she will come around and before you know it, you will have this situation worked out totally different then the court orders.....Just always be friendly and walk away when the situation is not.
I dont belive in trying to take a child off the mother unless there is a good reason as in drugs or abuse doing it to get back at someone is wrong.I think you should have the right to see your daughter and she shouldnt be putting barriers up if you two cant come to an agreement together get a mediator you could drop the residence order to keep the peace but go to court and get access sorted .You both need to realise that its whats best for the child at the end of the day and there is no point trying to get back at each other you need to talk to your ex and sort it out because your just going to end up hurting your daughter .Your trying to take your daughter away from the mother which i think would do more harm than good to the child im sure you could be civilised with your ex for the sake of your child.
Try explaining this to her mother, say how you feel, try not to gety heated or too upset as it may result in her shutting down and things becomming more difficult. It could be she is really buisy and isnt thinking straight or it could be more sinister than that- that shes trying to deter you from seeing your daughter, its hard to say from whats happening and what you have described, maybe ask her what her motives are? (in a quizative way a oppose to iterally shouting at her ';what is the meaning of this...';
My guess is shes written to you so try responding to her in the same way, by letter, photocopy and keep the original with everything you do. Give her a few days to respond and if she doesnt then your left with not much choice if you want to see your child.
I hate to say it as they are pricey but this is what lawyers are there for, they do cost but atleast you know things that do happen will near enough be written in stone and contradicotry letters are likely to be a thing of the past as a lawyer will be writing a letter and not her.
I know you have the childs interests at heart, but please try to keep calm and just be there (if you do get the opportunity) for your daughter, as a product of a divorced relationship, I can say for me the negative effects of divorce are the arguements before the divorce (which apparently were much about me and my sister- though with no thanks from either me or my sister!) and are the parts where the child feels very uneasy and worried and their entire world is changing and all they can see is one or the other parent whom they depend on will not be around as much- if atall, and this means they loose a big part of their live that they have always had there. Its abit like having a docor tell you, you will loose both your legs or both your arms or soimething, and that there is no wheel chair or crutches or whatever, you just have to go with it. Arguing over it worsens the build up which makes it all the more painful for everyone involved.
You do sound like you have her best interests at heart and I'm sure my parents did too. But I also think they let their pride rule thier decisions and the ';sticking together for the children'; which they also did for 8 years also doesnt work!
I hope it works out for you I really do, I can appreciate its hard for fathers, but if its any help, my dad won custody of both me and my sister (my mum didnt have enough money to house us both and my dad said he wouldnt pay for my violin lessons if he didnt get custody.) my dad was very manipulative though so I dont recommend doing this. Its resulted in me hating him and my sister feeling sorry for him. It seems the truth will out in the end as I'm not the first to have experienced a situation like this I'm sure!
You will always be a part of your daughters life and please dont forget this!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)