aggressive cat [long]

"Betsy" -0 wrote in message
...
This may seem ridiculous, but your body odor probably changed when you got
pregnant. The cat is possibly reacting to hormonal changes.

There are drugs that can be used to calm an aggressive animal--I know, I
have one. Talk to your vet, and if he doesn't know then talk to another
vet. I'm not encouraged about your vet telling you not to have the cat
around a baby or put him to sleep. It really sounds like you need another
opinion--there are lots of options. What kind of vet is this? Small
practice? Country? Older? Not very current, anyway.

Also, there is a spray called Feliway that is a feline pheromone that may
help. You can get this at any pet store or online.

You certainly will have to watch him around the baby, if he is already
reacting like this to you. But I'm sure you can take steps in the
meantime
to calm him down.


How does Feliway work? I've heard the name before, but I've never seen it
in the store. Is it something that I would have to use all the time? What
about the other animals in the house, how would it affect them? Or would I
end up with all happy go lucky pets waiting for a party?

"Betsy" -0 wrote in message
...
This may seem ridiculous, but your body odor probably changed when you got
pregnant. The cat is possibly reacting to hormonal changes.

There are drugs that can be used to calm an aggressive animal--I know, I
have one. Talk to your vet, and if he doesn't know then talk to another
vet. I'm not encouraged about your vet telling you not to have the cat
around a baby or put him to sleep. It really sounds like you need another
opinion--there are lots of options. What kind of vet is this? Small
practice? Country? Older? Not very current, anyway.

Also, there is a spray called Feliway that is a feline pheromone that may
help. You can get this at any pet store or online.

You certainly will have to watch him around the baby, if he is already
reacting like this to you. But I'm sure you can take steps in the
meantime
to calm him down.


How does Feliway work? I've heard the name before, but I've never seen it
in the store. Is it something that I would have to use all the time? What
about the other animals in the house, how would it affect them? Or would I
end up with all happy go lucky pets waiting for a party?

"Richard F Way" wrote in message
...
There are so many ways to go with this, it's hard to list them in one
post. Couple of things to check:

Smells: I have had two cats that will attack when they get a certain
scent (in both cases, sweaty clothing after a workout). Has scent
changed in any way?

The cat is getting old enough to start seeking hierarchy. Cats do not
"pack" as dogs do, but they do establish hierarchies with other cats in
the area. If you have not needed stitches yet (your article didn't say
you did) then the cat wasn't attacking you. I deal with ferals all the
time who don't wish to be "rescued" from dangerous situations. A cat
that is attacking you will put you in the emergency room quick. Sounds
to me that MAYBE the cat has determined you are an inferior "cat" in the
status of the neighborhood, and is demonstrating it by "smacking you
around." Cats will do this even with other cats they are chums with. IF
so, you would need to establish your superior status firmly, or the
attacks will continue. Holding cats down by paws would be one way, but
you'll have to play it by ear.

There are many possibilities, I'm afraid you will need to try by trial
and error. Besides using these groups, I'd also run "aggressive cat"
through the search engines so see what comes up. There are a lot of good
behavioral sites on line.

Rich


Hmm, smells is something interesting to think about. I'll have to pay
attention and see if it could be a trigger such as that. About this cat
hierarchy thing, how would I let him know that I'm not a 'lower cat'? I
don't smack him around so he shouldn't smack me around...boy I wish I could
just sit down and tell him that and he would just say "Okay, I'm sorry I
thought we were just playing. I won't do it again!" lol In a perfect
world, someday!

"Richard F Way" wrote in message
...
There are so many ways to go with this, it's hard to list them in one
post. Couple of things to check:

Smells: I have had two cats that will attack when they get a certain
scent (in both cases, sweaty clothing after a workout). Has scent
changed in any way?

The cat is getting old enough to start seeking hierarchy. Cats do not
"pack" as dogs do, but they do establish hierarchies with other cats in
the area. If you have not needed stitches yet (your article didn't say
you did) then the cat wasn't attacking you. I deal with ferals all the
time who don't wish to be "rescued" from dangerous situations. A cat
that is attacking you will put you in the emergency room quick. Sounds
to me that MAYBE the cat has determined you are an inferior "cat" in the
status of the neighborhood, and is demonstrating it by "smacking you
around." Cats will do this even with other cats they are chums with. IF
so, you would need to establish your superior status firmly, or the
attacks will continue. Holding cats down by paws would be one way, but
you'll have to play it by ear.

There are many possibilities, I'm afraid you will need to try by trial
and error. Besides using these groups, I'd also run "aggressive cat"
through the search engines so see what comes up. There are a lot of good
behavioral sites on line.

Rich


Hmm, smells is something interesting to think about. I'll have to pay
attention and see if it could be a trigger such as that. About this cat
hierarchy thing, how would I let him know that I'm not a 'lower cat'? I
don't smack him around so he shouldn't smack me around...boy I wish I could
just sit down and tell him that and he would just say "Okay, I'm sorry I
thought we were just playing. I won't do it again!" lol In a perfect
world, someday!

"Richard F Way" wrote in message
...
There are so many ways to go with this, it's hard to list them in one
post. Couple of things to check:

Smells: I have had two cats that will attack when they get a certain
scent (in both cases, sweaty clothing after a workout). Has scent
changed in any way?

The cat is getting old enough to start seeking hierarchy. Cats do not
"pack" as dogs do, but they do establish hierarchies with other cats in
the area. If you have not needed stitches yet (your article didn't say
you did) then the cat wasn't attacking you. I deal with ferals all the
time who don't wish to be "rescued" from dangerous situations. A cat
that is attacking you will put you in the emergency room quick. Sounds
to me that MAYBE the cat has determined you are an inferior "cat" in the
status of the neighborhood, and is demonstrating it by "smacking you
around." Cats will do this even with other cats they are chums with. IF
so, you would need to establish your superior status firmly, or the
attacks will continue. Holding cats down by paws would be one way, but
you'll have to play it by ear.

There are many possibilities, I'm afraid you will need to try by trial
and error. Besides using these groups, I'd also run "aggressive cat"
through the search engines so see what comes up. There are a lot of good
behavioral sites on line.

Rich


Hmm, smells is something interesting to think about. I'll have to pay
attention and see if it could be a trigger such as that. About this cat
hierarchy thing, how would I let him know that I'm not a 'lower cat'? I
don't smack him around so he shouldn't smack me around...boy I wish I could
just sit down and tell him that and he would just say "Okay, I'm sorry I
thought we were just playing. I won't do it again!" lol In a perfect
world, someday!

My mom said that she would take care of him for me, after she caught me
crying because I didn't want to get rid of him or put him down like the vet
said may have to happen. The problem with that is my mom is intimidated by
him. I don't want to leave him with her and have him end up hurting her. I
love my cat, but my mom is more important to me. I guess I just don't feel
like I will be able to find a good solution to this.

I'm really glad to hear your mom has offered to take him. I always hate it when
a cat has to be re-homed but the next best thing is a close familyy member.
Maybe you can help your mom by keeping his claws trimmed (hence *you'd* be the
"bad guy" and not your mom).. Also, have you discussed Buspar with your vet? If
you haven't, please do. I'm NOT a fan of drugging cats, but if this cat is so
aggressive you're afraid he'll actually hurt someone, maybe it's time to think
about it. But try Feliway first. Good luck. I hope everything turns out well
for the poor kitty and you too.

Sherry

My mom said that she would take care of him for me, after she caught me
crying because I didn't want to get rid of him or put him down like the vet
said may have to happen. The problem with that is my mom is intimidated by
him. I don't want to leave him with her and have him end up hurting her. I
love my cat, but my mom is more important to me. I guess I just don't feel
like I will be able to find a good solution to this.

I'm really glad to hear your mom has offered to take him. I always hate it when
a cat has to be re-homed but the next best thing is a close familyy member.
Maybe you can help your mom by keeping his claws trimmed (hence *you'd* be the
"bad guy" and not your mom).. Also, have you discussed Buspar with your vet? If
you haven't, please do. I'm NOT a fan of drugging cats, but if this cat is so
aggressive you're afraid he'll actually hurt someone, maybe it's time to think
about it. But try Feliway first. Good luck. I hope everything turns out well
for the poor kitty and you too.

Sherry

My mom said that she would take care of him for me, after she caught me
crying because I didn't want to get rid of him or put him down like the vet
said may have to happen. The problem with that is my mom is intimidated by
him. I don't want to leave him with her and have him end up hurting her. I
love my cat, but my mom is more important to me. I guess I just don't feel
like I will be able to find a good solution to this.

I'm really glad to hear your mom has offered to take him. I always hate it when
a cat has to be re-homed but the next best thing is a close familyy member.
Maybe you can help your mom by keeping his claws trimmed (hence *you'd* be the
"bad guy" and not your mom).. Also, have you discussed Buspar with your vet? If
you haven't, please do. I'm NOT a fan of drugging cats, but if this cat is so
aggressive you're afraid he'll actually hurt someone, maybe it's time to think
about it. But try Feliway first. Good luck. I hope everything turns out well
for the poor kitty and you too.

Sherry

Sherry wrote:
have you discussed Buspar with your
vet? If you haven't, please do. I'm NOT a
fan of drugging cats, but if this cat is so
aggressive you're afraid he'll actually hurt
someone, maybe it's time to think about it.

Buspar is *not* a drug that should be given an aggressive cat. It is for
anxiety and often makes a cat aggressive.

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:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray

Sherry wrote:
have you discussed Buspar with your
vet? If you haven't, please do. I'm NOT a
fan of drugging cats, but if this cat is so
aggressive you're afraid he'll actually hurt
someone, maybe it's time to think about it.

Buspar is *not* a drug that should be given an aggressive cat. It is for
anxiety and often makes a cat aggressive.

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:
http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22

"Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one
elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and
splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then
providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and
material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his
way."

- W.H. Murray