When we moved into our new home this cat was outside and hasn't left since. When you try to pet the cat it attacks your fingers. And has made me bleed several times. it attacks my 2 year old son aggressively! She can be very nice but then she does her biting thing and we have throw her outside. Why does she do that?
2007-03-20 02:09:00 · 15 answers · asked by C***** 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
Sounds like she has a bit of a feral streak in her, she bites from fear, she may have been hit by another person or just generally mistreated and the biting is an automatic responce, all my cats are rescue it takes a long time and lots of patience to stop them doing this, you have to make them feel totally secure, she obviously has a fear of children which is why she attacks your 2 year old again that can stem from being in a houshold where the children pulled her about a bit, i have a tom who even now is petrified of kids and another who is terrified of men and its all down to previous ill treatment. You need patience but if you feel the cat is a danger then you should try and rehome in a more suitable environment.
2007-03-20 02:18:39 · answer #1 · answered by Lady Hazy 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She may have a brain tumour or illness, take her to the vet to be checked. If not the vet can prescribe a sedative for her to see if that helps.
Sometimes cats who are taken from their mother too young (less than 10-12 weeks) can develop these problems. The mother cat spends weeks 6-12 teaching them how to behave around humans.
Is she declawed? This often leads to cats biting out of frustration and sometimes pain. They can't fulfil their natural scratching instincts so they bite instead.
You will need to be careful with her being outside, if she attacks someone else, or a child, you could be sued as a result.
Whatever the cause, she needs to see a vet, she has issues and needs help.
2007-03-20 03:09:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds as though it is a feral cat, that is semi wild. You need to decide if you have the time to retrain her.
Watch to see what triggers the biting are you petting her in a certain place and could it be sore? or going over her head so she can`t see what you are doing?
Allow her to set the pace, she will come to you if she wants petting calmly put your hand in front of her face and see if she rubs her head against it, you can then slowly get her used to being touched.
Other than this you can have her as an outdoor cat and not let her near your 2 year old.
2007-03-20 02:20:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
When cats run around outside, they get wild. They meet other cats, catch its own food (mice or rats) and eats rubbish. They become very territorial. Be careful, because it can carry fleas or worse, rabies. I assume the cat was abandoned by its previous owners or never had any owners. That would explain why the poor thing is not used to human touch.
I'm sure your cat felt threatened, and this is why it attacked your son. Young children can sometimes hurt animals when they play with it.
2007-03-20 02:31:22 · answer #4 · answered by The Desert Bird 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if u want to adopt this cat don't pet it at first. just talk to it nicely let it come and go as it pleases and feed it after a week try to touch it quickly then take ur hand away b4 it can bite every other day do the same and aftyer a week try a bit of a quick stroke along the back and so on after a couple of months it will let u stroke it but give it time sounds like its been abandonded and doesnt trust humans at present
2007-03-20 13:50:02 · answer #5 · answered by Miss Karen Roe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Feral cats have many dangers to overcome and it takes a while to build trust. Children are threatening because of the fast motion and loud noises they make.
The cat will eventually get used to it but in the meantime do not allow your child to touch it. It takes patience but the cat will come around and eventually be a very good pet.
The best thing you can do to help not only the cat but yourself as well is to get the cat sterilized. That will help calm the cat down and make it healthier as well.
Never force yourself on the cat...let it come to you for petting, etc.
2007-03-20 02:39:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a similar experience with one of my cats. We had moved and a short while later we had a cat that loitered around the garden. At first it would hiss and spit and would come nowhere near you. We persevered with it and eventually became more tame. Now he comes in, sits on your lap and promptly falls asleep.
Just persevere with her, she will get used to you and your son. But don't try to force the issue, she will be petted but only when she's ready.
2007-03-20 02:21:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear about all of your scratches :(. Most cats can be friendly but wild cats can be very weary about who they let near them. It might bite because that cat my have been tormented by people in the past. But animals can be very unpredictable
2007-03-20 10:16:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well its because the cat is an outdoor cat and has become wild and is only depending on you for food and not companionship.
2007-03-20 04:52:15 · answer #9 · answered by Cathy H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should not pet strange cats even though they appear to be nice and friendly. The fact that it has taken to attacking you and your family shows that despite appearances it does not like strangers. Cats are territorial and it thinks you have moved into its raea and it does not like it.
2007-03-20 02:19:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋