My 8 month old kitten was spayed when I bought her and in a kennel with her sister. I am convinced she was taken from her mom too soon. She is an only cat & has many toys. We don’t let her outside because she fights the neighbor cats. I love on her all the time, sing her name to her and play with her. All too often when one of us tries to pet her, her eyes will dilate, sometimes ears go back and bite or scratch seriously like she is feeling threatened. I first tried the firm, "No, Misty." 3 weeks later went to the tap on the butt and a "No, Misty!" I noticed that the tap caused her to feel more threatened so I stopped. Now when she latches on to my hand I tell her firmly, "No, Misty." Freeze and hopefully she lets go then leave her alone. I have started picking her up when she lets go, talk to her gently, stroke her back-she does calm down until I put her down and try to play or pet. She sleeps with me and I know she loves me but how do I get her to stop feeling angry / threatened?
2007-10-30 11:40:02 · 7 answers · asked by Merlin 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Some cats are like that.
I have a rescued cat that I've had for 6 yrs. and know no history on her, other than at one time she was owned and dumped and on her own so long that she was entirely matted when I got her and semi-wild.
Still to this day, Phoebe gets this wild-eye crazed look for no reason and will swat hard at me with claws out,... been bloodied!
I yell "no" and she runs off.
Even when I pet her under chin which she loves being scratched,.. it would look like she's enjoying it, BUT when she had enough will hit me.
I do know that she hates being touched on legs/paws and rest of body, other than the under-the-chin scratching.
So, who knows what's in the cat's psychy,... almost named her "Psycho"!
2007-10-30 11:47:40 · answer #1 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patience. And watching what triggers the reaction--to change how you're approaching her.
Dialated pupils should make you stop reaching for her and just keep talking instead. Maybe it's the hand reaching for her head that does it, or a hand reaching for her legs, belly or feet. Or the tail. Some cats get realy guarding on certain places of their body because those areas feel vulnerable. Shift where you touch her, or how you touch her. Instead of a stroke, maybe use both hands to cup her shoulders or the rib cage while you talk, instead.
Or just do chin scratches or side of face rubs instead of the standard petting.
By changing your approach, she'll react differently. Once the trigger is taken away, she can relax and trust that you're not going to do something sudden or unexpected and potentially threatening in her eyes.
2007-10-30 12:53:55 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes those bites are kitty kisses, i have had some mean cats in the past, and i was simply patient with them and let them make the overtures to be petted and get attention. worked better that way.
2007-10-30 11:45:23 · answer #3 · answered by captsnuf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she thinks she cant get out, next time try to pet her in an open place so if she wants she can get out of the situation.She'll learn to trust that you want to love her, not hurt her.
2007-10-30 12:19:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cat... is correct. I have a mean kitty and he has actually come up to me and slashed my leg. I was about ready to kill him. With time and patience he has become a cute kitty who loves his mommy and daddy and when he is bad he gets a little swat on the behind and scolded.
2007-10-30 11:49:20 · answer #5 · answered by Soniafrompa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just be paitent with her and try to get her calmed. don't do the No thing if she's threatened. just be nice about it and everything. ^_^
2007-10-30 11:48:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
just be patient with her she may just be a cautious kitten.
2007-10-30 12:37:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋