I had a wierd experience the other day when brushing my long-hair cat, He didn't like it and meowed his complaint. I need to brush him almost daily because he sheds like crazy and he used to have a hairball problem. I spoke authoritatively to him and he looked me straight in the eyes and would not avert his gaze for more than 30 seconds. I know that, with animals, the first one to avert his eyes is the one who loses control. I remained locked in this gaze until I finally said something like, "what is your problem?". At that point he looked away and allowed me to continue brushing for a few seconds before he squirmed out of my arms. The thing is, looking into his eyes, I sensed meanness that I never noticed before. Also, if he gets out of the house and confronts another cat, he is wildly aggessive. Under normal circumstances he appears sweet and aloof. Any other cat owners have similar stories? What is your take on mine?
2006-06-09 17:42:24 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Cat people are so much nicer than some of the people on other sites.Thank you for your informative input. By the way, for the record, I actually had my cat on a leash when he broke it and ran after the interloper. I try not to let my cat roam free, so when he cries to go outside, I chaparone him.
2006-06-09 18:04:36 · update #1
He may be an alpha male. Alphas are cats (or any animal, for that matter) who in the wild would be dominant. The fact that he allowed you to continue, even briefly, means he is beginning to recognize you as dominant over him.
But my suggestion for a cat who doesn't like to be groomed is to try one or more of these:
1) Don't hold him while grooming; do it on his time.
2) Find a brush that he likes, but that still allows for proper grooming.
3) Use a grooming glove or a small brush that can be concealed. He may prefer one of these, as some cats just hate how brushes look.
4) Store the brush in a sealed bag with a bit of loose catnip when it is not in use.
5) Give your cat the opportunity to groom himself by attaching a corner-mounted comber to a wall at your cat's eye-level. Sit back and watch your cat have a blast on the corner-comber.
2006-06-09 17:53:17 · answer #1 · answered by Jewel 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't worry about it. Cat's can get pissed off. Or fed up is a better word. He was trying to assert control. As long as he knows you're the boss then you should be all set. Maybe you should keep him inside though. Being outside and with no other choice then to fight with other cats be may be getting aggresive. So you really can't blame him for being the same way at home. Outdoor cat's are sort of messed up. Forced to fight on the outside and expected to behave on the inside. You really can't get mad at him for his behavior. Didn't sound like you were mad so that's cool. But just remember his situation. Everyday he is forced to assert is dominance outside and then he is forced to submit to yours, which is pretty messed up and confusing for an animal. He's not being mean. Then again my cat is just a jerk lol. Seriously some animals are just jerks.
2006-06-09 17:58:46 · answer #2 · answered by korngoddess1027 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats don't have emotions in the same way people do - try not to humanize your cat. If they don't like what you do to them, they will become aggressive and try to get you to stop. Cats are also naturally very territorial, and are usually only able to live around other cats if they are used to doing so from birth. This situation is normal. Don't read anything into it other than that your cat is not used to other cats, and doesn't like being brushed.
2006-06-09 17:48:45 · answer #3 · answered by superfish 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My cat does that a lot actually. He's still a kitten so he tends to do things he's not supposed to, and when I yell at him he stares. I stare back and he usually walks away for a few minutes then jumps onto my lap and purrs. I don't think it's anything to worry about.
2006-06-09 17:50:09 · answer #4 · answered by kiki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is trying to 'be nice' before he attacks. Take it as a complement. He is letting you know to stop fo the time being. My cat is like this too and I stop...and try to brush her later. You're cat is giving you the chance to get away before it attacks..be lucky!
2006-06-09 18:05:34 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The eye thing is control. Shedding could mean poor nutrition. Also , one of our cats is schizophrenic (no lie) and if we let her outside it gets worse. We have to keep her surroundings controlled or she goes wild.
2006-06-09 17:48:42 · answer #6 · answered by Wendy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is normal, you just have to remember, cats are very trrritorial, and after all, they are related to lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards and so on.
2006-06-09 18:37:01 · answer #7 · answered by Fluffington Cuddlebutts 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋