cat sitting help!?

Question

I am cat sitting - in my own house for a 6month old cat who is a little disturbed.. She is used to rough play and although affectionate she then goes from a purr when stroked (gently)to a bite. When i walk past her now she hisses.. then comes up purring to be nice, then bites..My instinct is to take it home tomorrow,go in every day and feed it so i dont have to deal with it but, despite my moaning I am a cat lover, have had cats in the past(never anything like this one...) and i dont want to leave it alone for a week. Anyone any ideas on how to turn a nutty cat into a nice cat without traumatising it further? The owner has no idea what to do with it (but didnt tell me things had got this bad....;-(

Answer 1

bring some ham and when its good feed it when it goes for u make a loud no and dont give ham it is the same as u would train a nipping at u dog

Answer 2

She has obviously been teased, and this is often the result, the advice of ignoring bad behaviour is good, just dont make it into a drama, smooth her and as soon as she bites gently put her down and walk away. Some cats only like being smoothed for a short while (mines like this) and she will let you know when she's had enough, tail swishing, if I don't listen she will bite and it would be my fault. Try getting a book on cat behaviour.

Answer 3

It sounds like she has been neglected or even hurt in the past. It is normal for cats to rough play they do that when they are excited and happy and its normal when they purr as its a sign that their happy. She probably just turns as because she might think you will hurt her or maybe scare her, you might know her owner but do you know them well enough to say that you are certain they dont do anything to the poor cat??
I am a massive cat lover and i have had cats since i was born i have always grown up with them, to me it sounds like she is crying out for some love and attention, spend some time with her just you and the cat and assure her by stroking her and rubbing her back that she will be ok. Is there noway you could take her in your self? Does her owner not want her?
Good Luck

Answer 4

i guess its all freaked out being in a sparkling place. the kitty version of being abducted via extraterrestrial beings! possibly you may coax it right into a spare mattress room, save the clutter field and foodstuff dishes in there and be happy its purely for the weekend and not an entire week! im helpful happening the stairs wasnt a spiteful element. i think you additionally can attempt sitting on the floor with some tuna or milk in a dish and attempting to make superb with it from a fabulous distance yet cats would be extraordinarily weird and wonderful.

Answer 5

This cat might make an exception in your case and start to treat you kindly. Do you know what is controlling the cat? Your tone of voice. Speak to the cat with love in your voice, no matter what, and do not speak above a whisper. You will soon have its undivided attention. It has been yelled at and upset and ignored and probably a few things even worse, so shower it with a loving voice that you can bearly hear. No matter what the cat does back just keep up that song of peace and love and eventually the cat will begin dancing to it.

I took in a stray named Little Scooter and she was one wild little cat for a month or so, but I charmed her into a totally peaceful frame of mind over time now she totally trusts me, and she is the cat's pajamas.

Do you know where she is right now? She is stretched out as long as she can make herself, sound asleep on our guest room bed! Talk about relaxed! Nothing can relax like a cat. I go into that room from time to time and just rest my hand (the vet told me to do this to calm her) on her side until she can feel the warmth of my hand and I tell her what a wonderful cat she really is ("You're such a smart cat...") and then I always conclude by saying in a voice you can scarcely hear (but which would be like shouting to a cat because its hearing is so amazingly keen) "because I always have time for my cats..." and then I tip-toe out of the room and dim out the overhead light.

Answer 6

http://cats.about.com/cs/behavioralissues/a/bite_scrat.htm

read the above - especially the bit about scruff him - I've heard this before, it's how the mother cat would tell a kitten off - but I think you will also have to tell the owners what you are doing so they can carry on, as I don't think you will solve the problem in a week, whatever way you chose.

Answer 7

A bottle of Bitter Apple may help. Rub the liquid on your hands and then offer the hands to the cat to bite. The stuff tastes terrible and they usually get the message fast. If she's going for your legs, keep your legs bare and rub the stuff on there. One sample is all they do before rejecting the idea of biting.

Watch for small signs when you're petting her. If she dialates the pupils, moves the ears sideways, thumps the tail while holding the body still, stops breathing and freezes--those are all danger signs she's going to bite because she's overstimulated.

Sometimes less physical contact is required, just talk to her instead.

Answer 8

If the cat bites/claws you: tap it on the nose a little bit hard so that it feels a bit of pain, and then ignore it until it shows affection again.

That's my opinion, it worked for my cat, may not work for all cats...

Answer 9

I have one like this myself. Everytime she swipes at me I grab her paw and just hold it and tell her no. Not roughly or to be mean, but some cats need to learn their place in the grand scheme of things. When I finish with the "talking to", I give her a good bit of loving. I'm the boss of the pride in this house. Just be firm but GENTLE...and don't scare her.

Answer 10

the cat clearly has tons of energy so i suggest putting out food & water and getting a string or ball and playing with the cat . hopfully this will tier it out if worst comes 2 worst lock the cat w/ food & water and a litter box in a quite , dark room and leave it alone !

Answer 11

Ignore it everytime it gets rough and bites etc. It'll soon learn that being nice gets affection xxx