I have had my male cat for a little over 2 yrs now and life has not been how I imagined it after adopting him as a kitten.
His (ongoing) flaws:
- He can be very aggressive - you can play w/him only so long before he attacks you viciously
- He will knock anything in his way on the floor for no reason
- He'll chew anything of personal value to me(he has lots of toys)
- He drools and "digs" on you persistently
- He doesn't like to be held
- He doesn't believe in "training"
- He is not affectionate at all (see number 4)
Latest flaws:
- I got him a friend and he plays too rough w/him
- He's been screaming at the top of his lungs from anywhere from 5am - 6am.
Pros:
- He's beautiful
- He makes for a lot of good stories
I've had cats since I was 6 and have never had a cat quite like him. I've tried just about everything and it kills me to think about having to return him to the shelter after 2yrs. What makes things worse, I love the new cat and he is exactly what I want in a cat.
2007-10-01 07:57:43 · 14 answers · asked by SlyGsc 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Some people are so rude...
To those of you who aren't:
He is neutered and I did get him from a no kill shelter with the promise that I had to return him there if I gave him up. I got him when he was 2 months and I do think that he was pulled from his mom too soon as he still "kneads" into me. His friend is a boy cat that is about 16 months old.
I took all the right steps in training him; squirt bottle, isolation, positive reinforcement with snacks, etc. I just don't know what else to do. I tried to wait until he grew up from a kitten, but here it is 2 yrs later and he is very much the same. As far as playing with him...he plays for about 10 mins, then looks at me with a bored look from across the room.
I take VERY good care of my cat, I always have. I just am running out of ideas...and I think the situation is stressing us both out.
2007-10-02 06:01:37 · update #1
It sounds like you feel you've done everything imaginable and I know how stressful it is when all you want to do is cuddle with your kitty and all your kitty wants to do is tell you to stop.
When reading your list of "flaws" you mentioned that he drools and "digs" on you persistently. This is actually an affectionate sign, and its your kitty saying, "I love you!".
I don't know if you've tried this or not, but its actually worked for me on a number of occassions with a number of different cats. But, try just letting him have some time to himself. When he comes up to you, don't try to hold him, don't try to make him stay somewhere. If he wants to be near you, just let him lie near you without saying anything except "Hi. Good Kitty." Don't try rubbing him until HE gives the intiative. When you DO rub him, only stroke him 3-4 times and then quit, and let him do what he does, whether that be walk away or lay in your lap to sleep.
Anytime he does something that requires a little bit of discipline, say for instance, jumping on a counter that you've repeatedly yelled at him for and squirted him as well, just walk over to him, say nothing, pick him up, set him down, and walk away. No words, no actions, only picking him up, and putting him down away from the counter. Eventually, he'll get the hint.
Like I said, this has worked on numerous occassions for me. Maybe he's just one of those cats that likes to think HE'S the one in control... but this time, you're using reverse psychology on him. You're drawing him in on his own accord. Try this and see how it works. Its almost like you're not paying him attention except when he's near you, and even then, you're only paying him the slightest bit of attention, but just enough to satisfy him. He may be getting overstimulated and just letting you know that "Hey, I'm a cat that needs my space!" He IS male afterall.... LOL.
Good luck and hope this helps!
2007-10-02 08:16:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agree. He not only needs to be neutered, he's also bored and taking his aggression out on you by biting to get rid of his stored energy. 2 is still quite young for a cat, a teenager. You may want to consider getting or building him a little obstacle course or chase play with a string and some feathers.
When he attacks your hand, stop playing with him and walk away. Remove anything breakable. Training a cat to be held involves waiting for the cat to be in a calm state and you making it worth the cat's while to be petted, groomed and loved. You should encourage your kitty to sit on your lap first for grooming and you need to be gentle, speak softly and tell him how beautiful he is, but no biting will be tolerated and grooming will stop immediately if he gets rough.
Hope that helps. He sounds like a great cat that should be much more settled after the neutering.
2007-10-01 08:12:00 · answer #2 · answered by Leslie L 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Standing offer: my evil kitty for your evil kitty.
My kitty flaws:
1 Talks NONSTOP
2 Plays rough with younger sickly cat, tried to eat him once
3 Climbs EVERYTHING
4 Wants to play in the bathtub, whether or not you're in it too.
5 Drinks out of the toilet.
6 Is over clingy, wants to be with you ALL THE TIME
7 Will share pillow with you, and will stretch his claws in your hair. Repeated ows will not stop this.
8 Digs in his kitty food and litter, throwing it all over the floor
Pros:
1 Has never had an accident outside his litter box.
2 Is very snuggly, can be cuddled for hours
3 Can catch houseflies
2007-10-01 08:10:36 · answer #3 · answered by Chief High Commander, UAN 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
You sound like a bad person. You should never give up on an adopted pet or child, just because you "don't like him." I have seen great cats act bad around people with your kind of attitude. If you truley get to know your pet, you guys wil connect. Wow, you have a list of "flaws" for your cat. I suggest you find it a good home -- not a shelter that will kill him! -- and GET A STUFFED CAT! Shame on you. OR, try taking care of the poor thing. "exactly what I want in a cat," you make my stomach crawl.
PS, you sound slow -- when I read your list of flaws, those aren't flaws -- that is HOW CATS BEHAVE!! Why did you get a cat, you don't make sense!
2007-10-01 08:30:36 · answer #4 · answered by boncarles 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
It sounds like he was not socialized with his mother and litter as a kitten. Some feral cats never become accustomed to domestic life. That is just a sad fact.
Could he be an indoor-outdoor cat? Better that than a euthanized cat. Then again, maybe you can find a no-kill shelter that can get him to a good farm or indoor-outdoor situation.
See www.petfinder.com for rescues and shelters in your zip code area.
2007-10-01 08:07:01 · answer #5 · answered by Spots^..^B4myeyes 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Go back to the shelter and ask them if they know the History of the Tom cat. Ask if a family brought him in, or if he was a stray. It is possible the family who brought him to the shelter had the same issues you are having now. I hope you will be able to keep your new friend.
2007-10-01 08:09:02 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am sure you love the cat too much to give up just like that. Try cat training him Google may give you advice on how to do this.
2007-10-01 08:20:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you give him back to the shelter, he may not find another home or not as good of a home. Don't get rid of him just because he doesn't meet your "standards". You've had him for TWO years, suck it up let him be who he is. He is your responsibility. You could try getting a pheromone diffuser to see if it helps calm him.
2007-10-01 08:11:09 · answer #8 · answered by hello 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
he will probably be ok dont get rid of him just yet try to look up cat training online and see if he will respond to that and use a water sprayer if he misbehaves spray him with the spray bottle i hope i helped and if you do need to get rid of him i would reccomend a no kill shelter o you dont need to worry about him being killed ok i hope you help your cat
2007-10-01 08:08:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
my parents have a mean . . . . and i mean "MEAN" indoor cat. you can pet her on the head only, or she will draw blood. She used to attack my step-mother for no reason, not playful kitty attack, i mean teeth sinking in and not letting go attack. The vet prescribed kitty prozac. She's still no angel, but she doesnt attack without reason anymore.
2007-10-01 10:05:01 · answer #10 · answered by Isaac W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋