I answered an ad on Craig's List from a couple pleading for a 'catsitter' for 6 weeks while they were to be out of the country. 4 weeks ago they dropped 'Kitty' off. She spent the better part of a day & a half under the bed and after 4 days she was walking around like she owned the joint. The reason for my question is: Kitty is really, almost aggressivley affectionate. She hits the top of her head really hard into our legs or whatever she can, purrs loudly, and rubs herself up against us. We pet her, and talk to her and she seems to LOVE it...until out of the blue she snaps. I am talking she turns into a grizzly bear! She gets up on her hind legs and swats, hisses, and bites! I am to the point I am afraid to pet her, but it seems to make her sad when I don't...Two weeks can prove to be a long time for all of us if we must merely co-exist. Help?
2007-12-01 17:36:30 · 8 answers · asked by whensya 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
She sounds like my old cat. My cat would get angry after awhile if you were petting her, even if she seemed like she liked it...all the sudden she would go crazy. I learned that if she attacked my arm the best thing to do was to hold very still. She wouldn't scratch me, just hold on to my arm and then let go...if I pulled away she would put her claws in and it would scratch me as I pulled.
She was a bit psycho...okay, a lot psycho. I would pet her for a minute and then I would stop and walk away...of course sometimes she would chase me and attack=) Is it possible that she has a certain way she does not like to be pet or a certain spot that is sensitive. My cat now HATES to be pet on her stomach or right above her tail. My kitten will let you pet him upside down and under water...so long as you are petting him=)
I wish you luck...
2007-12-01 17:44:04 · answer #1 · answered by paganmom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some may seem to be on a hair trigger, but they always give warning signs. You'll have to watch close--too much stimulation can result in a sudden reversal of behavior. Either cut your petting time in half, or watch for the warning signs.
1. Ears start canting to the side, halfway back
2. pupils suddenly dialate
3. holds breath and goes very still and stiff (this is maybe 3 seconds long)
4 tail starts twitching
5. back fur twitches or lays suddenly very flat.
Chances are she's doing 3 out of the 5 of these just before she turnes into Mr. Hyde. Just pull back, go do something else, don't make eye contact. That'll give her a space to calm down. She obviously likes to be petted,it's just going on too long for her to handle.
2007-12-02 11:08:45 · answer #2 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually this is something cats do. As a matter of fact I have one right now. He came up outside and he is the most affectionate cat and he cries to me all the time. I'll pet him constantly and then all of a sudden he will snap, mostly when I stop petting him. I found that cats who do not get enough constant attention tend to crave attention and when they get it, they are trying to tell you that they dont want you to stop. Your best bet though is to get a clean water spray bottle and keep it with you. Everytime the cat hisses etc., give a quick squirt at him/her and yell "NO". After a few times he'll get the idea that that is a no, no.
2007-12-01 17:46:59 · answer #3 · answered by FolkstonHorseLover 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you have any other cats? My cat was the same way until I got another cat now he bets on the other cat. I think they just need more of a work out… So if you don’t want to get a 2nd cat you could try getting some new toys & take some time to play with him and ware him out.
2007-12-01 17:46:39 · answer #4 · answered by oneeyeblue2003 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's the weird thing about some cats...they'll act like to cutest little angels until you pet them and when they have had enough, boy do they tell you!! One way that may help is to keep a squirt bottle with water in it and spray Kitty in the face. If it's a relatively smart cat, it should quit relatively quickly.
2007-12-01 17:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by leesieb. 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
regardless of age, this kitty might get overwhelmed with excitement about this affection. some cats get so enthusiastic they freak themselves out & attack what they perceive to be a threat. one of my cats used to attack, unprovoked, & try to rip the flesh right off my hands or legs (i had a bite mark bruise for 3 wks!) so when we'd be petting her, we'd also watch her body signals (twitching tail, ears going back) for signs that she was getting worked up to strike. once we understood her signals, we'd pull our hands away before she scratched us. also, when she did attack like that, we would sternly say no & walk away. don't squirt the cat, they do't like it & it could lead to them not liking you either, which could then lead to more aggressive behavior.
please, keep in mind, while it's "catsitting" for you, it is a stressful time for kitty (new people, new place, new smells & her people aren't there to provide reassurance that everything is ok).
please be patient with her, watch her body language, if she doesn't offer any obvious signs then offer the affection sparingly util she understands you mean no harm. cats are very intuitive animals & if she senses fear coming from you, it could be upsetting to her also
2007-12-01 18:00:38 · answer #6 · answered by erihu 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds llike a cat i had but know she is my freinds nexted door. she is mad that she is not at home yet. let her be ignore her when she is being that way.she will come around and make her know who is boss. play a lot with her and love her when she needs it. she can feel if you are scard of her and she will take that to you like owl fighting a mouse. who loss in the end? make sure you are the winner in the battle not her.
2007-12-01 19:25:21 · answer #7 · answered by JOLYNN T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to play with the cat. the cat is begging for attention
2007-12-01 18:10:44 · answer #8 · answered by Robert T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋