Is my cat a dog?

Question

My cat growls at strangers and bites. Is this normal? He's almost 2 & has been doing this since we got him fixed last December. I swear he growls like a dog, and he bites anyone who tries to pet him, unless he approaches them.

Thank you, it's nice to know I'm not alone.

Answer 1

My cat doesn't bite, but he does growl occasionally. A few months ago, my daughter and I carried a bookcase that I had bought at a garage sale into my house. The cat stood a few feet away from it and growled at it like a dog. It must have come out of a house where they had a dog or cat, and the smell was still on it. A short time later, he walked on the bottom shelf of the bookcase and was all right with it after that. Sometimes, he growls at strangers if they get too close to him, and also, at little kids. (I live alone, as my husband died in a semi-truck accident so the cat is not used to having others around a lot). Cats have distinctive personalities just like humans, and they can really show their attitudes. When my cat growls at someone, I tell him that he needs an attitude adjustment. lol

Answer 2

You have got to teach him that this kind of behaviour is not allright. That growling is not all that strange. My cat does it as well (learned it from a dog while he was a kitten and the dog a puppy) and he only does it now because i learned him to growle when he doesn't want to be petted (better than using nails). Be biting or using nails is not exeptable and you need to teach your cat this.

Answer 3

I have two now that growl at loud noises and hide from strangers. I had another a few years back who would bite anyone who tried to touch her (except me). Just like humans, they all have distinct personalities, some of which can be nasty.

Answer 4

Sounds like he had a tough time at the vet. You never know what goes on behind those doors. I'd have a chat with your little guy...seriously...and ask him about it. If you show him that you are concerned/and that you (yeah, a human) actually noticed a big change...you might have some empathizing and some explaining to do. Ask him to be nicer to your friends, while you're in the heart to heart. You may notice a shift in his behavior. Animals really do know what's going on. You will get great results when you let your cat know that you want to know what's going on with him, and assure him how much he matters to you.

Answer 5

the biting isnt bad, i know quite a few people whos cats bite but the growling is a bit wierd.

Answer 6

It's already been mentioned. My cat hated all different animals, then she needed to transfer in to my ex-girlfriends residence and she or he has a small puppy. The 2 had a few animosity, however they hang around in combination now and almost get alongside.

Answer 7

He just has a bad attitude towards humans.

My boyfriend's cat has this same attitude towards other animals.
When he was introduced to my three cats, it was horrible, but my smallest cat settled his bad attitude by giving it back to him x 10. As a matter of fact, 6 months later and the little girl still runs the BIG kitty into hiding. Now I am working to adjust her attitude.

Answer 8

Animals behaviour sometimes changes when the get fixed. my dog acted like a cat 4 a wile. try to make him realize hes a cat and not a dog. I don't know if it will work but GOOD LUCK!

Answer 9

sounds like a cat with a bad attitude. I'm sure if he was a cat before you had him fixed, he's still a cat. I bought the vet did a species change on him... hehe

Answer 10

My cat growled at our new dog too she problay upset nothing to worry about.