Does anyone have reccomendations for a grumpy 7 year old cat?

Question

He has always had personality issues, but seems to be getting worse. He is not very social, does not like to be held - but will look deceitfully loveable while lying on his back relaxing across the room. He has always hissed at anyone that does not live in the house when they visit. He also starts wheezing, when visitors stay too long, and then starts vomiting.
I have 5 grandchildren, who only come every now and then; and we usually put the cat up in a bedroom out of the way until they leave. However, the other morning after my 18 month old spent the night, the cat was still out; and when the baby walked by the cat growled a terrible sounding growl, and my granddaughter was terrified.
I actually contemplated the necessity of putting my cat down after that, as it frightened me also - wondering if the cat would have done something had I not been standing right there. I think the cat is acting out of fear; but I'm not sure.
He also poops outside of litterbox 85% of the time.

Answer 1

Rub its nose in the poop when its outside of the box, trust me it works than a bit of discipline goes a long way.

Answer 2

I'd start with a complete vet exam, including a blood panel.

Some cats have underlying health problems, usually low-grade chronic infections, that make them grumpy and unfriendly. At the vet hospital where I work we have a 5-year-old cat who has been given up by two sets of owners because he was unfriendly and urinated in the house. We discovered that he had a cyst on his bladder that creates a chronic infection. Now that that has been removed and his urinary infection has been cleared up, his personality is 100% different and he's the wonderful loving playful cat he always should have been.

Food allergies can also cause cranky behavior.

Your cat might benefit from one of the mood-improving drugs that are now prescribed for pets with personality problems. There is a gel form of fluoxetine (Prozac in its human form) that is rubbed into the pet's ear. It can work wonders.

I would try to find and correct any physical or emotional problems the cat has, and if that didn't solve his personality issues, I'd take him to an animal shelter and be frank about his problems and why you were giving him up. He might do very well in another home. Some cats are terribly stressed by the presence of other cats or of children, but do fine in an adult-only home where they're the only pet. He might also do well in a place where he did not have to interact with people unless he chose to -- we have successfully adopted a couple such cats to a feed store where they live indoors but are not expected to be sociable.

Answer 3

Your vet would be the best one to help. They actually do remember your pet from one visit to the next. They have a "clue" from experience with other animals.
How often do you clean the litter box? My cat misses the box if I'm not tidy with her potty.
Also if you have more than one cat...one will take offense to the others!
Some animals just don't like "visitors". I have an 18 y.o. cat. She only growled at two ppl in the entire 18 yrs. One was an obnoxious "I love cats" person who probably smelled like a stranger cat. The other was another time where a mean boy thought he could "make friends" with my cat. HAHA -- My cat is no fool!

Answer 4

Some cats are just not social. My mom has a cat that is the same way. She does like you and keeps the cat in another room when my nieces are at her house. It is better to be safe than sorry so it's best to keep the cat away from company. There is also a great, herbal stress relieving product out there called Bach's Rescue Remedy that you could try. I have a very anxious dog and it works wonders for him. I would also check w/ your vet to rule out any health issues. Good luck!

Answer 5

First I could say is that she is amazingly previous. She in all threat complaining because of the fact she is senior citizen in her species and needs some particular scientific care. My cat, Iro, he's not previous yet he complains approximately each and every thing. He cries while my different cat makes use of his clutter field or sleeps in his domicile, only approximately each and every thing. the element approximately cats that they do unlike confusing foodstuff that they could sit down and crunch and gnaw at. So, what I do as quickly as I make their foodstuff. I run the nice and snug water somewhat long until eventually it somewhat is warm and pour into his bowl. Then I ate his dry foodstuff, then I enable it sit down until eventually only approximately each and all of the water is long gone. After that, I upload the moist foodstuff. Cat like moist foodstuff that has countless gravy. Then, combination. The water this is left from the dry foodstuff will make extra gravy from the dry foodstuff. Plus, the dry foodstuff would be comfortable and not all confusing.So, she might could bite and crunch on something.

Answer 6

The cat needs a vet, and you must tell the vet all these symptoms. There is something physically wrong with your cat if he nearly always goes outside the box, unless the box is not kept clean. Please take him to a vet for an opinion before you simply put him down. Good luck.

Answer 7

Agree with Katyty (again) and will add that you may want to alter trying to pet this cat in favor of gentle grooming. Most cats love being brushed quietly, told they're beautiful, etc.

Answer 8

I had a cat once that would attack people. He only did it once...and the family I lived with "got rid" of him. He attacked the dad....she was young and mean to everyone but me...kind of like your cat.
If he is having behavior problems and potty problems, maybe he needs to see the vet??

Answer 9

its sound like you cat has , nerve problems,
maybe consult a vet ,
he maybe just be anti social around others,
mite even have bipolar
all cats dogs etc, have there own way of telling you ,
when they upset , you maybe consider, rehousing this cat

Answer 10

Older cats get defensive and are mean/closed to anything they do not know. If he is nice to you he regards you as his owner and you should live with him.

Answer 11

Hi,try giving him a few car treats,my kitten loves "Temptations" by Whiskas.