I live in a 4 bedroom apartment with 3 other people and we have an adorable tuxedo cat. My problem is that he's incredibly aggressive. Not in a territorial or "danger" sense, but in a "you're playing WAYYY too rough" sense, and he'll bite and claw for play, and not realize he's doing it way too hard and make us bleed. I've tried spraying him with water, bopping him on the nose, and putting him in the closet when he does it as punishment, but it just doesn't stick. I've built a 3 level "cat condo" for him to expel energy on, and he does and loves it, but he STILL bites and claws.
I'm worried because if this keeps up, I'm going to have to give him up. What can I do to make this behavior STOP?
He's had his shots and is fixed.
2007-12-01 18:34:14 · 10 answers · asked by trinilim 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
so cats do not respond well to punnishment. I woud say just don't get him riled up. if he starts to attack your hand, pull your hand away. He is a powerful creature and could shread your hand if he wants. but cats are very gentile and loving.
don't punnish him, just ignore the behavior you don't want to see by distancing yourself when it appears. distance is the best defence.
2007-12-01 18:51:08 · answer #1 · answered by ivan k 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's what cats do. They bite and claw. You need to speak firmly and decisively when you reprimand him. If he's biting hard, say NO or STOP. In a tone that will not confuse him.
Also, if the scratching is a problem I'd suggest declawing him. Your cat doesn't sound like he's got an aggressive behavior. He's just being a cat.
Also do NOT punish him by locking him in the closest, that is an very insensitive way to deal with a problem that is clearly yours, not his. This action will only stress, and traumatize the cat.
String toys is a great way to keep the cat away from your hands. Feathered cat teasers/fish pole teasers work great! They get to chase and claw without them ever having to touch your hands.
If normal cat play is something you cannot handle, which a lot of people can't. Some are just have a much lower pain tolerance. I would suggest you find him a good home that's better suited for him.
2007-12-02 05:13:59 · answer #2 · answered by prrtnpnk 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Instead of using your hands as toys, buy some feathers on long sticks and play with those. Buy some other toys, too -- catnip pillows and such. I recently bought a catnip toy that is like a long cylinder -- it allows the cat to hang on and bite one end and claw at the other end with his back feet -- our cats LOVE this!
Also, learn how to clip his claws. It's easy once you take the time to practice and get used to it.
If he starts playing too rough, just stop playing with him. As you have learned, punishment doesn't work. He's only doing what is natural and can't understand why you hit him.
Good luck!
2007-12-02 02:44:12 · answer #3 · answered by luvrats 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Locking him in the closet is NOT the answer. Get long feathers and other toys that are on long pieces of elastic. Some kitties really enjoy energetic play but they don't mean to hurt you. If you stick your hand into that pile of claws you really deserve what you get. He will be happy to chase the beam of a flash light across the floor, or a long piece of string trailing along. NEVER put your hand in when he's playing. Squirting with water is to only be used for bad behavior and playing is NOT bad behavior.
2007-12-02 02:44:05 · answer #4 · answered by jumbos_mom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have a cat that's very agressive also. I hate to put it htis way, but since we got another cat, he's either taken aggression on him, or had to cope with the fact that there is another feline (who is completely able to fend for himself as I've seen). If getting another cat isn't an option, I've also noticed that age is a factor. If your kitty is younger than 2 yrs, just wait a bit- and be consistent with punishment. Ignore it for a week if you must, and it'll BEG for attention. I hope this helps. I would really hate for you to give kitty away.
2007-12-02 02:48:45 · answer #5 · answered by blurryguy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once had a Siamese foreign white, he was desexed but still very feisty - the vet put him on some hormonal treatment for a while, it worked wonders. I didn't have to keep him on it all the time, just every so often.
2007-12-02 03:28:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first, please don't squirt or hit your cat.that will either promote even more aggressive behavior or he could completely withdraw from you.
if you've been playing with him with your hands that has taught him that it's okay. most cats learn as kittens, through socializing with other kittens, how hard is too hard to bite & when to keep the claws in.
when you're playing with him, if he bites or scratches, sternly say no (but don't yell), remove yourself from play & walk away. kitty will learn the connection between your skin in his teeth = no more play.
cats respond to the way we treat them. if we're gentle & loving, they will respond to us in kind. they each have their own personalities, too
2007-12-02 02:43:46 · answer #7 · answered by erihu 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
one thing i say DONT GIVE HIM AWAY. he will grow out of it get him some toys and catnip also flick him on the top of the noise and paws. oh and clip his nails that will help a lot. if you can get another cat that will help like 80% of it but you have to give it time for them to get to know each other and if you have a kitten get a nother kitten cause they are much easyer to train to like each other.
2007-12-02 03:12:10 · answer #8 · answered by JOLYNN T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I once had a cat like that, he would do the whole hide behind something, and then jump out and attack and really let you have it. I thought it was part of his breed he was manx. We gave him away because he was way too aggresive.
2007-12-02 02:45:33 · answer #9 · answered by Peach Cheesecake 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
stop playing with hands get long toys to chase
2007-12-02 03:11:49 · answer #10 · answered by sky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋