My grandaughter has a female cat that is mean to everyone in the house but her. This cat will growl and hiss at anyone that looks at her, She is very gental with my grandaughter. This cat has attacked my 4 yr old grandson many times.They have had her since she was a small kitten and has never been mistreated, so what is her problem? I do think they should get rid of her for the safety of the other kids but it would break her heart. If anyone has answers to help I would love to hear them. Please no silly remarks this is NO joke.
2007-03-23 08:33:29 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I am assumeing that the cat is just tring to protect you grandaughter and she is probabley just a very defensive cat.
I really don't think you should get rid of him\her because like you said you grandaughter would be devistated and the cat my not find a home if it can't be friendly to many people. Plus it sounds like he\she really loves your grandaughter. I would just basically warn the other children to stay away from him\her
I hope this helps.
2007-03-23 08:40:03 · answer #1 · answered by Some one Special 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Is it possible that the cat was feral at some point (maybe as a kitten)? She might have formed a strong attachment to your granddaughter. I would not reccommend getting "rid" of the cat for the risk of breaking your granddaughter's heart. Also do you really know how the 4 year old acts around the cat at all times? Little kids can do mean things to animals without realizing they are being mean, and the animal is mistrustful and sometimes even angry after that. I had a cat once that was attached to me since kittenhood and bit everyone else..people just knew not to touch him. Sorry if I'm not much help.
Good Luck!
2007-03-23 15:40:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people aren't going to like my answer. If the cat scratches, or bites, give it a good whipping. Honestly that's what another cat would do to it, they don't put up with each others crap. I've had cats all my life, they've all gotten whipped into shape when need be ( not so much to hurt them physically, just to let them know they're not in charge ) and all of my cats are friendly, loving and affectionate, coming out to greet company and say hello. A spray bottle is a great tool to whip a cat into shape, without getting yourself clawed or bitten, they don't like to get wet, so it makes a great correction for unwanted behavior. I'm not endorsing animal cruelty, I use the term whipping loosely, as in making startling sounds to distract, a light slap at most, picking up by the scruff as the mother would do, and removing from situation, and definitely a spray bottle. Cats are a lot smarter than people think, they just also happen to be stubborn and independent. So basically you have to think like a cat, be the cat, and be consistent
2007-03-23 16:03:47 · answer #3 · answered by shadow21276 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this cat still young? It might outgrow it. My cat would leave my arm looking like I was in a rose bush but he doesn't do that anymore. Sometimes if kittens are acquired very young they will think of their humans as other cats. If it did not spend time with siblings it does not know that biting and scratching hurts like that. They learn a lot by play-fighting with siblings. I'm not suggesting that you bite his leg to show him but maybe try a squirt bottle. Shake once for a warning and then spray him if he continues. After a while the warning should be enough and hopefully he will learn quickly what happens to him when he bites or scratches people. Don't get rid of him if you don't have to. I had a cat that would attack me in my sleep when I was about 7 ....he drew blood .....I still wasn't afraid of him and loved him. My mom took him to the shelter - not good.
2007-03-23 15:52:22 · answer #4 · answered by eigna728 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats will bond with certain people. Doesn't matter the age of either the cat or the person. This cat sounds like it has adopted this child as his/her own.
As to the fact that she has attacked the boy several times, a question... Have they been monitored together at all times? The reason I mention this is that cats have very long memories, and if there have been any incidents of tail or fur pulling, etc, then the cat may associate him with pain, and will respond accordingly. Not to say that he might be doing it on purpose, but he might not realize it. A good plan of action would be to keep the two of them seperated for a brief time (ie. keep the cat in one room for a day or two by herself with no association with him) and then gradually re-introduce them by allowing short moments of petting, etc, until she realizes that he isn't any sort of threat to her.
Hope this helps!
2007-03-23 15:44:43 · answer #5 · answered by wubbie3me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is this cat declawed? Declawed cats develop lots of behavioral issues centered around chronic pain, mistrust and fear. If this cat is not declawed, it's possible it's just acting out against mistreatment it has received. In other words...4 year old boys and cats DO NOT MIX. Toddlers often torture pets in the house when they are not supervised and I would not be surprised if the cat is just protecting and defending herself. As for the remaining members of the household...a cat will reciprocate the love it receives. A neglected, ignored cat will not be friendly with the ones who neglect and ignore it. A well-cared for, played with and loved cat will reciprocate that love and affection 100 times over. Cats make you earn their affection. They don't dole it out indiscriminately. That's the biggest difference between cats and dogs. I bet your granddaughter is a very special little girl with a compassionate heart. Her cat knows this and rewards it. The family could probably learn a lot from her. If the other members of the household gradually change their own behaviors and attitudes towards this cat, the cat will gradually change hers. It takes time, patience and lots of love. Good luck.
2007-03-23 15:44:19 · answer #6 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't have an answer; but quite the same problem with a male fixed almost 1 year old. We have 4 other cats from age 2-11. I would like to know an answer as well, because I am ready to have someone else take him, that doesn't have any other pets.
2007-03-23 15:41:49 · answer #7 · answered by Angie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat is ther same way, noone an even look at her or she will start growling and hissing. I have no idea why. She is 6 years old and has been that way forever. I dont knwo really what to say except try to keep small children away from her.
2007-03-23 16:50:23 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Break her heart now? Or wait and break it later?
Eventually, this cat will hurt someone badly (like your grandson). It's not ok to harbor any animal that attacks family members. Either get the cat on tranquilizers (which will be required for the rest of its natural life) or get rid of the cat. But please don't wait until your grandson or one of your grandchildren's playmates is injured.
2007-03-23 15:59:46 · answer #9 · answered by Biff 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol sorry but its because I am in the same boat but I believe it is because my female cat was feral,she at times can be so loving but watch out when you come around a corner she goes right for the calves and whats funny is she is scared of her own shadow go figure.I am hoping you get some answers on what can be done to tame these little devils lol.
Good Luck
2007-03-23 15:51:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋