Help for mental problem?

My mother's cat has never been right since she grew up from a kitten. She is
about 7 now. She has been treated with nothing but love when my mother adopted
her from a kitten, but has always been aloof, afraid of things, and won't let
anyone pet her. Now, she has recently been attacking my mother for no reason.
My mother just doesn't know what to do. My mother loves animals but has had no
pleasure from this cat for 7 years, has tried to love her but nothing works and
it depresses my mother because of the rejection. She is at the point of giving
the cat to a rescue place, now because of the attacks. I don't think this cat
is adoptable. She must have experienced some trauma before the adoption, but
should my mother do? My mother is elderly and at her wits end.

On 26 Feb 2004 00:34:05 GMT, (Msrebug) wrote:

My mother's cat has never been right since she grew up from a kitten. She is
about 7 now. She has been treated with nothing but love when my mother adopted
her from a kitten, but has always been aloof, afraid of things, and won't let
anyone pet her. Now, she has recently been attacking my mother for no reason.
My mother just doesn't know what to do. My mother loves animals but has had no
pleasure from this cat for 7 years, has tried to love her but nothing works and
it depresses my mother because of the rejection. She is at the point of giving
the cat to a rescue place, now because of the attacks. I don't think this cat
is adoptable. She must have experienced some trauma before the adoption, but
should my mother do? My mother is elderly and at her wits end.

As much as we would like to, we cannot save them all. If the cat is
actually attacking your mother, then she must be removed from the
home. Let the experts at the rescue group decide if she is
re=trainable. Good luck.

On 26 Feb 2004 00:34:05 GMT, (Msrebug) wrote:

My mother's cat has never been right since she grew up from a kitten. She is
about 7 now. She has been treated with nothing but love when my mother adopted
her from a kitten, but has always been aloof, afraid of things, and won't let
anyone pet her. Now, she has recently been attacking my mother for no reason.
My mother just doesn't know what to do. My mother loves animals but has had no
pleasure from this cat for 7 years, has tried to love her but nothing works and
it depresses my mother because of the rejection. She is at the point of giving
the cat to a rescue place, now because of the attacks. I don't think this cat
is adoptable. She must have experienced some trauma before the adoption, but
should my mother do? My mother is elderly and at her wits end.

As much as we would like to, we cannot save them all. If the cat is
actually attacking your mother, then she must be removed from the
home. Let the experts at the rescue group decide if she is
re=trainable. Good luck.

in article , Msrebug at
wrote on 2/25/04 6:34 PM:

My mother's cat has never been right since she grew up from a kitten. She is
about 7 now. She has been treated with nothing but love when my mother adopted
her from a kitten, but has always been aloof, afraid of things, and won't let
anyone pet her. Now, she has recently been attacking my mother for no reason.
My mother just doesn't know what to do. My mother loves animals but has had
no
pleasure from this cat for 7 years, has tried to love her but nothing works
and
it depresses my mother because of the rejection. She is at the point of
giving
the cat to a rescue place, now because of the attacks. I don't think this
cat
is adoptable. She must have experienced some trauma before the adoption, but
should my mother do? My mother is elderly and at her wits end.

Has she been checked medically? If she is healthy, you might consider
Feliway. Are there other cats there?

Karen

in article , Msrebug at
wrote on 2/25/04 6:34 PM:

My mother's cat has never been right since she grew up from a kitten. She is
about 7 now. She has been treated with nothing but love when my mother adopted
her from a kitten, but has always been aloof, afraid of things, and won't let
anyone pet her. Now, she has recently been attacking my mother for no reason.
My mother just doesn't know what to do. My mother loves animals but has had
no
pleasure from this cat for 7 years, has tried to love her but nothing works
and
it depresses my mother because of the rejection. She is at the point of
giving
the cat to a rescue place, now because of the attacks. I don't think this
cat
is adoptable. She must have experienced some trauma before the adoption, but
should my mother do? My mother is elderly and at her wits end.

Has she been checked medically? If she is healthy, you might consider
Feliway. Are there other cats there?

Karen

"Msrebug" wrote in message
...
My mother's cat has never been right since she grew up from a
kitten. She is
about 7 now. She has been treated with nothing but love when my
mother adopted
her from a kitten, but has always been aloof, afraid of things, and
won't let
anyone pet her. Now, she has recently been attacking my mother for
no reason.
My mother just doesn't know what to do. My mother loves animals but
has had no
pleasure from this cat for 7 years, has tried to love her but
nothing works and
it depresses my mother because of the rejection. She is at the
point of giving
the cat to a rescue place, now because of the attacks. I don't
think this cat
is adoptable. She must have experienced some trauma before the
adoption, but
should my mother do? My mother is elderly and at her wits end.

Hi ,
The problem is that although your mother thinks the cat is attacking
for no reason , the cat might have *her* reasons . It's very
disappointing when a cat doesn't live up to your expectations . All
cats are different.
I have a cat that is affectionate but doesn't like being picked or
cuddled. When my previous dog died , I put too much pressure on my
cat and was trying to compensate for my loss . one day I picked her up
and cuddled her and she growled at me ; I ignored her and she badly
attacked me, which was my fault .
A study by the biologist Turner showed that if owners intitiated
interaction with their cat, it lasted a shorter time than when the cat
intitiated interaction. It might be the cat can't cope with the
pressure of your mother wanting to pet her or it could be that
something else has frightened the cat and it's redirecting its
aggression towards your mother. For now, I suggest your mother backs
off from the cat.
Is it possible to have a cat behaviourist visit to see how your
mother and her cat interact? A vet will recommend one , after a vet
check. A behaviourist will be able to assess the situation and give
your mother a plan to follow to try to improve the situation
Also, read any book by Pam Johnson -bennett. She explains the nature
of cats very well and how to deal with tricky situations without using
any negative methods, or go to her foum Think like a Cat and read the
archives or post this question.
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv...cat?redirCnt=1

It's very possible to improve this situation but perhaps because of
its genes or because it wasn't socialised properly as a young kitten ,
it will be the nature of the cat to be nervous. Feral cats and
kittens have been tamed as some of the regulars here will testify.
Perhaps they can give you some advice.
If the cat goes to a shelter it will have very little chance of
finding a home . Perhaps when things improve , may be your mother
could adopt a second cat that is more affectionate but they would have
to be carefully introduced so as not to put too much stress on the
first cat .
Alison.

"Msrebug" wrote in message
...
My mother's cat has never been right since she grew up from a
kitten. She is
about 7 now. She has been treated with nothing but love when my
mother adopted
her from a kitten, but has always been aloof, afraid of things, and
won't let
anyone pet her. Now, she has recently been attacking my mother for
no reason.
My mother just doesn't know what to do. My mother loves animals but
has had no
pleasure from this cat for 7 years, has tried to love her but
nothing works and
it depresses my mother because of the rejection. She is at the
point of giving
the cat to a rescue place, now because of the attacks. I don't
think this cat
is adoptable. She must have experienced some trauma before the
adoption, but
should my mother do? My mother is elderly and at her wits end.

Hi ,
The problem is that although your mother thinks the cat is attacking
for no reason , the cat might have *her* reasons . It's very
disappointing when a cat doesn't live up to your expectations . All
cats are different.
I have a cat that is affectionate but doesn't like being picked or
cuddled. When my previous dog died , I put too much pressure on my
cat and was trying to compensate for my loss . one day I picked her up
and cuddled her and she growled at me ; I ignored her and she badly
attacked me, which was my fault .
A study by the biologist Turner showed that if owners intitiated
interaction with their cat, it lasted a shorter time than when the cat
intitiated interaction. It might be the cat can't cope with the
pressure of your mother wanting to pet her or it could be that
something else has frightened the cat and it's redirecting its
aggression towards your mother. For now, I suggest your mother backs
off from the cat.
Is it possible to have a cat behaviourist visit to see how your
mother and her cat interact? A vet will recommend one , after a vet
check. A behaviourist will be able to assess the situation and give
your mother a plan to follow to try to improve the situation
Also, read any book by Pam Johnson -bennett. She explains the nature
of cats very well and how to deal with tricky situations without using
any negative methods, or go to her foum Think like a Cat and read the
archives or post this question.
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv...cat?redirCnt=1

It's very possible to improve this situation but perhaps because of
its genes or because it wasn't socialised properly as a young kitten ,
it will be the nature of the cat to be nervous. Feral cats and
kittens have been tamed as some of the regulars here will testify.
Perhaps they can give you some advice.
If the cat goes to a shelter it will have very little chance of
finding a home . Perhaps when things improve , may be your mother
could adopt a second cat that is more affectionate but they would have
to be carefully introduced so as not to put too much stress on the
first cat .
Alison.

In article ,
enlightened us with...

As much as we would like to, we cannot save them all. If the cat is
actually attacking your mother, then she must be removed from the
home. Let the experts at the rescue group decide if she is
re=trainable. Good luck.


I agree, only because the mother is elderly (I assume, from the use of
the term, that Mom is over 70 and is beginning to have health problems
herself, doesn't "get around like she used to", and all the other issues
that come with aging). I think the cat has issues, but is retrainable
with a lot of time and patience and probably medication (assuming she
isn't physically ill). I think Kitty needs behavior therapy and an
environment where if she doesn't want to be touched, she doesn't have to
be. Your Mom probably wants a companion and the stress of an aggressive
animal coupled with trying to introduce another cat as a companion might
be too much.

My guess is that a cycle of unwanted attention (no matter how loving)
has led the cat to become aggressive at the slightest inkling that
unwanted attention is about to be bestowed (even Mom looking at her
could set her off). Just a guess, since I haven't even seen the cat or
anything.

Do try to contact a rescue group that will take the cat - this animal is
not adoptable and would be put down at any typical shelter. Even "no-
kill" shelters often euthanize aggressive animals. The rescue would have
to know the cat is aggressive and agree to try to work with her.

Also, do get her checked by a vet. Chronic health problems that cause
pain can make the sweetest cat into a very grumpy kitty. If she was
declawed, have them x-ray her feet. A botched declaw can cause bone
malformations and claw regrowth inside the feet and this condition is
not detectable with normal yearly physicals.

--
--
~kaeli~
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball!
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

In article ,
enlightened us with...

As much as we would like to, we cannot save them all. If the cat is
actually attacking your mother, then she must be removed from the
home. Let the experts at the rescue group decide if she is
re=trainable. Good luck.


I agree, only because the mother is elderly (I assume, from the use of
the term, that Mom is over 70 and is beginning to have health problems
herself, doesn't "get around like she used to", and all the other issues
that come with aging). I think the cat has issues, but is retrainable
with a lot of time and patience and probably medication (assuming she
isn't physically ill). I think Kitty needs behavior therapy and an
environment where if she doesn't want to be touched, she doesn't have to
be. Your Mom probably wants a companion and the stress of an aggressive
animal coupled with trying to introduce another cat as a companion might
be too much.

My guess is that a cycle of unwanted attention (no matter how loving)
has led the cat to become aggressive at the slightest inkling that
unwanted attention is about to be bestowed (even Mom looking at her
could set her off). Just a guess, since I haven't even seen the cat or
anything.

Do try to contact a rescue group that will take the cat - this animal is
not adoptable and would be put down at any typical shelter. Even "no-
kill" shelters often euthanize aggressive animals. The rescue would have
to know the cat is aggressive and agree to try to work with her.

Also, do get her checked by a vet. Chronic health problems that cause
pain can make the sweetest cat into a very grumpy kitty. If she was
declawed, have them x-ray her feet. A botched declaw can cause bone
malformations and claw regrowth inside the feet and this condition is
not detectable with normal yearly physicals.

--
--
~kaeli~
Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball!
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace

Msrebug, I tried to email you but it bounced. Please email me an addy
where I can reach you. Thanks.

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