OT Behavioral Issues

[nckitties3]

Out of curiosity, anyone know anything about cat behavior issues? My mom has a cat, a feral she took in at about 6-8 weeks old, who is about 6 months old now and he will bite her and this worries me.

He's very aggressive and she's having him neutered next month and hopes this will help, but I think she is expecting too much from a feral. I don't think he'll ever be a cuddly lap cat like she thinks/wants, but if there is a way to stop him from biting, it would help.

My feral is over 16 and she is not a lap cat, only in her old age have I been able to pick her up for any reason, but never to hold her. You do not hold her! :lol: I just feel like this feral of hers is NOT going to be what she wants. I found out early on, I can fed mine and pet her head and that's it. That's all she's willing to give, so I let it go at that.

Mom also has another cat, a 9yo, declawed male, with emotional issues. He has separation anxiety, tries to take off her shoes whenever she puts them on, cause he knows she's going out. He will also pee under her desk and do all sorts of bad things when he gets upset, which is often.

She has kept them separated since day one but for some silly reason, thinks they they will become buddies after he's neutered. NOT.

Living with my mother will give any living creature issues, but does anyone know of a way to break this kitten from biting? My concern is for her health, she is also diabetic and has every medical problem known to man, at 76 yo.

Any thoughts, advice, opinions?

 

[morrieb1]

Out of curiosity, anyone know anything about cat behavior issues? My mom has a cat, a feral she took in at about 6-8 weeks old, who is about 6 months old now and he will bite her and this worries me.

He's very aggressive and she's having him neutered next month and hopes this will help, but I think she is expecting too much from a feral. I don't think he'll ever be a cuddly lap cat like she thinks/wants, but if there is a way to stop him from biting, it would help.

My feral is over 16 and she is not a lap cat, only in her old age have I been able to pick her up for any reason, but never to hold her. You do not hold her! :lol: I just feel like this feral of hers is NOT going to be what she wants. I found out early on, I can fed mine and pet her head and that's it. That's all she's willing to give, so I let it go at that.

Mom also has another cat, a 9yo, declawed male, with emotional issues. He has separation anxiety, tries to take off her shoes whenever she puts them on, cause he knows she's going out. He will also pee under her desk and do all sorts of bad things when he gets upset, which is often.

She has kept them separated since day one but for some silly reason, thinks they they will become buddies after he's neutered. NOT.

Living with my mother will give any living creature issues, but does anyone know of a way to break this kitten from biting? My concern is for her health, she is also diabetic and has every medical problem known to man, at 76 yo.

Any thoughts, advice, opinions?

I'm not an expert by any means, but when my family has had kittens they've almost always been feral - including my Jez who was part of a barncat litter....and I do mean barn cats left on their own - not the pet kind. And they haven't grown up any differently than any other cat as far as I could tell. Its the early interaction with humans that seems to make a difference. I completely agree with you about ferals adopted later.....

Neutering should help with the biting - but if your mom has a cat that's six months old and doesn't like to be held - I don't think that'sgoing to change matters. That said, sometimes cats have a reason to bite - my Batcat will do it if he's overstimulated - if I pet him for too long and don't notice the signs that he's had enough. So part of it depends on why he's biting her - is she trying to interact with him in a way he doesn't want - or is she just minding her own business and he's doing it to get her attention.

Did I mention that my cats sit on command - Batcat will stand on his hind legs if I tell him "up"....and they come individually if I call them by name....and all of that was through clicker training and treat reinforcement. I believe that's how you break bad behaviors as well - not by focusing on the bad but praising/rewarding for the good. So if you are playing with a cat and it bites - you immediately stop playing and go do something else. I think that like kids, if they are looking for attention they don't distinguish between positive and negative attention.

If she puts her shoes on and he tries to take them off- she should just ignore him and go on about her business...or perhaps toss him a toy to try to distract him. But if she makes a big deal about leaving then he's just going to keep on doing the behavior. When mine are in foul moods and fighting or just being obnoxiously whiny - I get the vacuum cleaner out. I don't even have to turn it on - they hate the vacuum and its guaranteed to make them stop what they are doing and go hide somewhere safe

 

[nckitties3]

Thanks Em, but like I said, they DO live with my mother, which most certainly will cause issues. :lol: You'd have to know my mother, there is a reason I live 1000 miles from her. ;-)

 

[MommaOfMuse]

Well with several ex and semi ferals in this furry family I can tell you what I have done to stop that kind of behavior beside spaying or neutering of course. If you have to understand at that age that is normal behavior for a wild cat to learn and practice their hunting skills, but they normally do it with its litter mates and younger members of the feral colony. So your mom's kitten right now has to learn that it has to play with a human differently than he would be playing with his litter mates and colony members because well we don't have fur and it hurts when he plays rough. Sort of like you have teach a puppy that there is a way to play with your human, and a way you play with a drooler pal and they aren't the same.

First off no playing get the fingers or chase the hand on your mom's part. And if she does her hand needs to be disguised under a rug, comforter, heavy towel etc...Kitty can't associate the human hand as a toy to be pounced on, bunny kicked or bitten in play or otherwise. Same with feet... Then she needs to substitute appropriate playtime play. And she needs to take time to play especially to establish what would be normal cycled daily behavior patterns...such as before she feeds him she wants to play with him for a good 10 to 20 minutes with toys that mimic the skills of stalking, catching and killing prey. Good ones for ferals or over aggressive players I have found are the ones that keep the human body parts out of reach...lol. Feather wands, Cat Dancers, or any other type of toy that is on a string and be either thrown and dragged across the ground or dangled at a distance from the bean. Because also at that age they have lots of energy so even some of the meekest most laid back kittens in the world can get over stimulted when they start practicing their hunting skills. So using those kinds of toys keeps you well out of the way of a overly focused hunting kitten and they never learn to associate hands and feet as part of the prey they are stalking and pouncing on.

Then right after playtime, feed him...as that would be the natural outcome of a successful hunt..eating. Which if he has been suitable tired out during playtime, that should trigger him into going into grooming as he washes up after his meal, and then with a full belly he should go into naptime. Once he is tired out and has a nice fully belly and very content, then start petting him...Don't try to hold right now, just get him use to being touched by a human. Also this would be about the time his momma would be also grooming him and checking him over when he was a little kitten. A couple of my really wild childs I started out with a back scratcher on a yard stick, then just the back scratcher alone and slowly work my hand up that back scratcher until I was sitting next to and actually being able to pet with my hands. Also at this point I don't try to pet them yet when I just walk by and have to bend down to do it. If they are on something where they are eye level or above me then I might try to pet depending on body language. Once you get to the point where you can pet them by sitting by them and when they are above or level with you, then they usually start seeking you out of the other types of interaction, like lap sitting, head butts, kisses, picking up and carrying. Some will and some won't get to that level of cuddleness where they are a constant laid back lap cat, any more than you know that about a purebred kitten from a breeder with two of the snuggliest lap cat on the planet as its parents. They are all unique personalities remember ECID. :lol:

But so far doing it that way all of mine that were at least somewhat feral have become very affectionate in their own way, out basically 14 cats of which 12 started out or where at some point in their lives semi-feral only about 3 are still spazes but they are still affectionate spazes...lol

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang

 

[nckitties3]

Make sense Mel. :thumbup
Remember, mom is 76 and pretty set in her ways and I highly doubt she is gonna change anything she does with the cat. Just saying, I know her.
Also, to keep the cats separated, this 6 month old as been restricted to her bedroom ever since she got him. I'm sure, lack of attention, playtime, etc is a major cause with his issues. Not enough contact time, period.
The older, mentally screwed up cat, being declawed, is in for a visit with a terrorist when mom finally lets the young one out. I hate to think what that will be like.
Knowing mom, she will then take the young one to the pound. Wouldn't be the first time. This is a woman who should not have pets. She is not of the generation who saw pets as family members, so if she isn't happy with one, they're gone, not rehabilitated. :sad:

My question was more out of curiosity as to what means had been used by others for this type of issue.

 

[morrieb1]

Well with several ex and semi ferals in this furry family I can tell you what I have done to stop that kind of behavior beside spaying or neutering of course. If you have to understand at that age that is normal behavior for a wild cat to learn and practice their hunting skills, but they normally do it with its litter mates and younger members of the feral colony. So your mom's kitten right now has to learn that it has to play with a human differently than he would be playing with his litter mates and colony members because well we don't have fur and it hurts when he plays rough. Sort of like you have teach a puppy that there is a way to play with your human, and a way you play with a drooler pal and they aren't the same.

First off no playing get the fingers or chase the hand on your mom's part. And if she does her hand needs to be disguised under a rug, comforter, heavy towel etc...Kitty can't associate the human hand as a toy to be pounced on, bunny kicked or bitten in play or otherwise. Same with feet... Then she needs to substitute appropriate playtime play. And she needs to take time to play especially to establish what would be normal cycled daily behavior patterns...such as before she feeds him she wants to play with him for a good 10 to 20 minutes with toys that mimic the skills of stalking, catching and killing prey. Good ones for ferals or over aggressive players I have found are the ones that keep the human body parts out of reach...lol. Feather wands, Cat Dancers, or any other type of toy that is on a string and be either thrown and dragged across the ground or dangled at a distance from the bean. Because also at that age they have lots of energy so even some of the meekest most laid back kittens in the world can get over stimulted when they start practicing their hunting skills. So using those kinds of toys keeps you well out of the way of a overly focused hunting kitten and they never learn to associate hands and feet as part of the prey they are stalking and pouncing on.

Then right after playtime, feed him...as that would be the natural outcome of a successful hunt..eating. Which if he has been suitable tired out during playtime, that should trigger him into going into grooming as he washes up after his meal, and then with a full belly he should go into naptime. Once he is tired out and has a nice fully belly and very content, then start petting him...Don't try to hold right now, just get him use to being touched by a human. Also this would be about the time his momma would be also grooming him and checking him over when he was a little kitten. A couple of my really wild childs I started out with a back scratcher on a yard stick, then just the back scratcher alone and slowly work my hand up that back scratcher until I was sitting next to and actually being able to pet with my hands. Also at this point I don't try to pet them yet when I just walk by and have to bend down to do it. If they are on something where they are eye level or above me then I might try to pet depending on body language. Once you get to the point where you can pet them by sitting by them and when they are above or level with you, then they usually start seeking you out of the other types of interaction, like lap sitting, head butts, kisses, picking up and carrying. Some will and some won't get to that level of cuddleness where they are a constant laid back lap cat, any more than you know that about a purebred kitten from a breeder with two of the snuggliest lap cat on the planet as its parents. They are all unique personalities remember ECID. :lol:

But so far doing it that way all of mine that were at least somewhat feral have become very affectionate in their own way, out basically 14 cats of which 12 started out or where at some point in their lives semi-feral only about 3 are still spazes but they are still affectionate spazes...lol

Mel, Maxwell, Autumn & The Fur Gang

Whew - that's why I prefer to adopt adult cats - I'd forgotten how much work goes into socializing the little ones.........

 

[nckitties3]

I've almost always gotten kittens, my feral was 5 months or so, the rest always 5-8 weeks. Never had the problems with them, I suppose because they were socialized, played with and cuddled.
My feral girl made it plain from the start, she didn't want to be handled and we've always been happy, her and I, to pet. She loves to be petted on her head and shoulders, face and neck, but no where else. Touch her hind quarters or try to pick her up and she will squall like you're killing her! She has scared more than a couple vets! :lol: It's quite funny to see, but after a few years, I had to start warning them before they reached in the carrier to pull her out. Poor vets have just about had a stroke when she yells. And no, there is absolutely nothing wrong with her. She has been thoroughly checked. That is her warning that she doesn't like to be lifted and she lets you know it. :lol: She is my unique kitty. ;-) She's a love, you just have to respect her boundaries and I do, most times. She pitches a fit when I brush her if I go past her mid back, but I do it anyway and as soon as I'm done she wants to be petted. Sometimes I think, she feels like that is her only control in life and she's not about to give it up after 16 yrs.

 

[mdmnore88]

Make sense Mel. :thumbup
Remember, mom is 76 and pretty set in her ways and I highly doubt she is gonna change anything she does with the cat. Just saying, I know her.
Also, to keep the cats separated, this 6 month old as been restricted to her bedroom ever since she got him. I'm sure, lack of attention, playtime, etc is a major cause with his issues. Not enough contact time, period.
The older, mentally screwed up cat, being declawed, is in for a visit with a terrorist when mom finally lets the young one out. I hate to think what that will be like.
Knowing mom, she will then take the young one to the pound. Wouldn't be the first time. This is a woman who should not have pets. She is not of the generation who saw pets as family members, so if she isn't happy with one, they're gone, not rehabilitated. :sad:

My question was more out of curiosity as to what means had been used by others for this type of issue.

My cats really do not love each other- more like tolerate each other. Kittens can be little terrorists but my little terrorist became my favorite (sh don't tell). Azrael was not totally feral but he was not taken care of. Someone threw him out of a car in front of my house. He was covered in fleas and very underweight. When he first came to my house you couldn't even hold him. Now he is the sweetest cuddliest wants to sit with me boy. He was a hand biter and believe me every once in a while he will get like that. I did the behavior modifications- If he bit me I stopped playing and I told him to be nice. He is 6 now so after 6 years of me saying Nice he will stop biting and immediately start licking. Treats treats treats for when he is being good. And try to have some social play time. My cats all like the fishing toy or a shoe string. So they will all chase after me with the toy. That makes them all be together and associate mommy is fun if we are all together! I did have a very close bonded pair of cats and I've never seen that ever again. I feel that if your mom has lots of supervised visits and plays with them the entire time they may get along better.

 

[morrieb1]

Make sense Mel. :thumbup
Remember, mom is 76 and pretty set in her ways and I highly doubt she is gonna change anything she does with the cat. Just saying, I know her.
Also, to keep the cats separated, this 6 month old as been restricted to her bedroom ever since she got him. I'm sure, lack of attention, playtime, etc is a major cause with his issues. Not enough contact time, period.
The older, mentally screwed up cat, being declawed, is in for a visit with a terrorist when mom finally lets the young one out. I hate to think what that will be like.
Knowing mom, she will then take the young one to the pound. Wouldn't be the first time. This is a woman who should not have pets. She is not of the generation who saw pets as family members, so if she isn't happy with one, they're gone, not rehabilitated. :sad:

My question was more out of curiosity as to what means had been used by others for this type of issue.

My cats really do not love each other- more like tolerate each other. Kittens can be little terrorists but my little terrorist became my favorite (sh don't tell). Azrael was not totally feral but he was not taken care of. Someone threw him out of a car in front of my house. He was covered in fleas and very underweight. When he first came to my house you couldn't even hold him. Now he is the sweetest cuddliest wants to sit with me boy. He was a hand biter and believe me every once in a while he will get like that. I did the behavior modifications- If he bit me I stopped playing and I told him to be nice. He is 6 now so after 6 years of me saying Nice he will stop biting and immediately start licking. Treats treats treats for when he is being good. And try to have some social play time. My cats all like the fishing toy or a shoe string. So they will all chase after me with the toy. That makes them all be together and associate mommy is fun if we are all together! I did have a very close bonded pair of cats and I've never seen that ever again. I feel that if your mom has lots of supervised visits and plays with them the entire time they may get along better.

I have my suspicions that if cats bond too well they'll start plotting against me . I do think its cute when they pair up and become best friends, but I've never had that happen, and i'm sure part of that is because I adopt adults who are already pretty set in their ways. I like your idea of having them play together - but at my house I have to have two of everything - they are big on the string on a stick toys - however i have to hold one in each hand because they refuse to take turns with a single one.