Backstory: (if you don't care skip to the last 2-3 paragraphs)
I recently adopted two cats from a shelter here in Arlington. I had them put the two cats together over the course of the entire day - in hope they got along. There was no hissing, but no affection for one another. Male and female - both fixed.
Initially when I got him, he would 'play bite' me, which I did not want. He broke skin twice (nothing deep) and would not stop trying to 'play bite' if he was being pet. So I read all over forums on how to break him of it. I started the 'nice' way with rewarding him with tuna treats when he did not bite. However, that was very rare, and I really don't think he had any idea why he was getting treats.
Then I stepped it up to the spray bottle. Bite? SQUIRT, and play time was over. This seemed to work only when the spray bottle was present... he learned to fear the bottle enough to stay completely away from me if it was out on my desk.
So then, out of boredom maybe? He started picking on the other cat. (This cat is super sweet), she would franctically run away, and I figured they were playing. So two weeks ago, it got to a full on cat fight - she was hissing at him and he bit her hard enough to make her screech in pain. I was up out of my chair and they were going full on at it. I grabbed both of them by the scruff of their necks and pulled them apart, both flailing wildly, I dropped them... she ran away, he chased after he and started fighting again.... smurf, not good.
I got the spray bottle and sprayed him off of her, she was cowering the rest of the day and would not come out from behind my desk. He got punished by several hours in his kennel.
Finally, today... I went out to get them more food/treats from Target - literally, my only thing to do. So I was like "ohh they're going to be so happy".
I come home, they're both sleeping... I rustle the bags, she comes to investigate... I open up the treats and give her one... then he comes, I give him one too. I put the bag away and go sit down at my desk.. I would say within 60 seconds they are fighting HARD again. Hissing all over the place, I look right when I see it and see him dig his teeth into her back.... smurf! I go to pull them apart grab him by the neck, firmly and pry him off. He is flailing like a crazy ass cat and is digging all his claws into my arm - I threw him like a frisbee away from me - maybe 10' and he ricocheted off the kitchen chair... it wasn't that hard because it didn't budge the chair. Then I expect him to go after her so I go to intervine... my mistake, he went after ME. I was crouched down to try and prevent him from going by, he went after my arm - mouth all the way open.
So I bat him down with the same arm, except he's on his back... damnit - I go for it anyway, try to reach under him with success and wrap my hand completely around his neck and squeeze decently hard. I managed to get him flipped over to his stomach so he can't claw at me... then I notice he peed all over himself/me the carpet - so I let go. He isn't moving... smurf smurf smurf, I'm seriously about ready to preform kitty CPR, when I go to nudge him he gasp for air, gets up and staggers away.
Now I don't know what I should have done, I hope this isn't considered 'animal cruelty' I know he didn't pose a life threat to me, but he was after the other cat, and then me.
He is going to the pound tomorrow. I will not tolerate a cat that attacks his 'sister' and then his owner. I have no idea what would happen if I wasn't home. Sorry I gave up, but I tried for 2 months to get him acquainted, and he failed miserably, which means I guess I did too.
Nothing you can do about it. I'm sure he'll be better off with a house with no other cats (make sure you tell the pound). Our two cats only fight when we move to a new place, fighting over their territory I suppose. After a day or two, they settle down and life goes on.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CoolAid...
True love is putting an explosive under your fallen girlfriend to take out some extra Commies when you know shes just going to bite it anyway.
If your story would have ended with you killing it I wouldn't blame you. That animal atacked a human, don't pass it off on some unsuspecting old lady, bring it to the vet, explain your situation and pay the $20.
Maybe it needs to be checked for rabies, there's only one way to do that.
They're most likely 90% sure going to put him down. Most people who have cats don't have just one. Plus he finally went after you and that is a no no. He's definitely going to be put down.
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Dang man, that's crazy. I thought female cats were the aggressors usually. Sadly, Euthinasia seems to be the only logical next step.
F
She has never gone after him, she has only defended herself. She instantly purrs when picked up, loves to help held and scratched... overall a good cat. He is a little terror.
You did what you could. I think bringing him to the shelter is the right course of action. Just be sure to let them know what occurred so that they can place him with the right people the next time around. Putting an animal down should always be the last course of action IMO.
First off, how old are these cats? If they're young, he could grow out of it. If they're already mature, then it's most likely too late. Someone with a LOT of patients and time could break him, but the average owner doesn't have that kind of time. Sounds like a one cat house cat or an outside cat.
My first cat, whom I received from the neighborhood cat lady, was mostly tame when I first got him. He freaked out a couple of times and I showed him that I was the larger of the two of us. He calmed down with me and people (that he'd willingly be around) in general. However, when he became an indoor outdoor cat for about a year, he ran the neighborhood. He was ruthless. I've seen him tear tufts of hair out of his brother before and chase dogs three to four times his size. Now I live in PA and my s/o decided to pick up a kitten about three to four months back. It was a rocky start, but now they're best of pals.
TL;DR Might not be a multi-cat house cat. Let him run free and leave food at the door. I digressed into a story about my own personal cat experience.
Edit: Whoever says dogs can be more aggressive than cats, has never met a whirlwind of razor sharp claws and teeth wrapped in fur.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TLS_Addict...
and in general I would rather jerk off with 80 grit sand paper......
That does not allow dogs, I don't have time to dedicate to dogs and play with them enough, I don't have to space. Better? =)
He is now cowering in fear from me... ears down, and when I touch him he drops completely to the floor and tries to belly crawl away. I think I showed him I am the master of this domain - maybe it snapped in him that he doesn't stand a chance? I don't *want* to get rid of him - he is entertaining with laser pointers and he will 'allow' me to hold him for a while. If he's sleeping and I pick him up he'll fall back asleep on me. Overall he's a good cat, but once he tried to bite at me and now I have to keep them separated when I go to work... I'll try to bring him to a 'no kill' shelter. But I think since I just nearly killed him he might be terrified of people now.
Also they are both young, they guess he is around 14 months, she is about 10 months
He is now cowering in fear from me... ears down, and when I touch him he drops completely to the floor and tries to belly crawl away. I think I showed him I am the master of this domain - maybe it snapped in him that he doesn't stand a chance? I don't *want* to get rid of him - he is entertaining with laser pointers and he will 'allow' me to hold him for a while. If he's sleeping and I pick him up he'll fall back asleep on me. Overall he's a good cat, but once he tried to bite at me and now I have to keep them separated when I go to work... I'll try to bring him to a 'no kill' shelter. But I think since I just nearly killed him he might be terrified of people now.
Also they are both young, they guess he is around 14 months, she is about 10 months
Honestly, that might have done the trick. It really was one major incident that broke my cat with me. Now I occasionally spank his hind quarter and he tears through the house like I'm about to kill his ass.
I am lucky with my cat. When I got my 1st parrot, he crapped under the cage a few times. Didn't impress me, as I have since collected six additional parrots. All the birds take turns riding on the poor cat's back. Guess you can say that he is a real p...y [I tried spelling it out, but the word keeps getting replaced with 'hairy lowjo']. Perhaps this is because the previous owner gave him to me without his balls still attached. Good for the birds, though.
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Last edited by notransistors : 09-08-2009 at 10:11 PM.
Are you playing with this particular cat at all? Sounds like he has got some extra energy that needs to be burned off. Try buying one of those feathers attached to a rope and stick.
I've had a bunch of cats over the years -- and there are ways to bond with each of them. In fact, my oldest cat turned out to be somewhat of a biter as well. How did I handle her? Just didn't put myself into situations where I could get bit.
As far as the fighting is concerned, see if you can give each cat its own space. Separate litter boxes and food dishes in different parts of your apartment. Create a place for each one to sleep there as well. It will help them each avoid conflicts. Even when handing out treats -- give one cat a treat in one area of the apartment the other a treat on the other side. This way, each cat feels like it has a "safe" territory of its own -- and a place to retreat to.
What I wouldn't do is use the spray bottle or any physical violence. As you're finding out -- it doesn't work long term. Just turns one kind of negative behavior into something else.
Give the cat a second chance. Try of this stuff and see how it goes. If you've made your mind up for sure -- then offer to serve as a foster parent until a new home can be found for it. Put up signs at local veterinarians, etc.
I would have thrown that smurfer out the door....but then again I am not a cat person unless the cats really sweet
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Just got two male kittens not too long ago...both my older female cats hate them with a passion. The boys know to keep their distance from the girls, as the girls growl at them profusely until they back off. That little dude sounds like he's got a screw loose, and more than likely if no one adopts him within a 10 days, he'll be put down...
My cats are perfectly nice. They don't bite except for the occasional 'play bite' as you call it. I say 'no' and they stop. I have 2 fixed and declawed males. They are indoor only. I believe cats can be trained just as well as dogs.
I have 2 thoughts on your situation. The easy explination is the cat is a 'single' cat as others have said. Also, the cat could be sick as well. That kind of extreme behavior seems a bit over the top even for a mean cat.
You want a good one, go to the Northeast section and see if the kitten that recently got dropped out of a moving car is still up for adoption.
You didn't do anything wrong. You made reasonable efforts to train the little bastard, and he attacked you. Any animal that attacks its owner is off its rocker and needs to be gotten rid of. Sometimes, they just go wild and you can't do anything about it.
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