Dealing with a psycho attack cat

Dealing with a psycho attack cat

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brownspeed

Original Poster:

827 posts

137 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
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Earlier this year, my Lad and his Girl got a female kitten. it was typically fluffy, cute, and loved to sit on laps with an occasional tendency to bite and claw (as they all do).
Fast forward 10 months and for the past 6-8 weeks it seems it's only interested in biting and clawing; and hissing and spitting, often attacking its owners with no provocation. It no longer lies to perform the cuddly aspects of its duties, which is a concern to its owners.
She's been spayed, she's allowed outside and has use of a cat flap, so its not like she's frustrated at being confined to barracks.
Has anyone else experienced this? and if so- was it resolved satisfactorily? and how ?

Boom78

1,311 posts

54 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
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Could it be in pain or discomfort? Maybe worth taking to vets for a check up. My cats can go downhill pretty quickly over the simplest of things. My dog also started growling at other dogs and being a bit iffy. Turned out she had a bad/stiff back, nothing was noticeable to us but it was causing her anxiety and as such was going in to self preservation mode. Some tablets later she’s fine and back to old self.

105.4

4,175 posts

77 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
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A few thoughts spring to mind…..

Illness or a diet that doesn’t agree with her causing discomfort.

The cat isn’t stimulated enough, so needs more stimulation play and grooming / brushing from her owners.

Is the cat left alone for prolonged periods of time? Are there other pets in the house?

If the cat is misbehaving, then punishing the cat physically rarely achieves good results.

If you search YouTube for ‘cat whisper’ you should be able to find some good cat behaviourist videos that are likely to give plenty more good tips.

edited to add;

A small water pistol in a bright colour can be a good tool to use to bring cats to heel. They really don’t like it, but yet it doesn’t do them any harm.

Edited by 105.4 on Thursday 12th October 13:20

paintman

7,748 posts

196 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
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We've had two female cats from kittens.
First lived until she was 16 & the second who we got with her brother as kittens not long after the first died is now 14.

Despite extensive handling & play as kittens & being spayed once adult neither could be described as cuddly & neither tolerated being picked up.
Curling up on your lap didn't happen either although both happy to be stroked if they had sat down or curled up on the furniture.

The brother of the second (they're both still with us) loves nothing more than being picked up for a cuddle but only if you're standing up. If you sit down he's off.
Doesn't sit on laps either but will often flop on the lounge carpet & expects you to join & fuss him until he gets bored, gets up & wanders off.

She's very much an indoor cat - her choice as they are free to go in & out as they please. He's an avid hunter & spends hours day & night outside.

All perfectly happy to be entertained by their staff with any number of cat toys & sheets of wrapping tissue are a favourite toy - if on the floor they will jump & roll all over them.

Strange creatures!


Edited by paintman on Thursday 12th October 13:41

Simpo Two

86,669 posts

271 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
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brownspeed said:
Earlier this year, my Lad and his Girl got a female kitten. it was typically fluffy, cute, and loved to sit on laps with an occasional tendency to bite and claw (as they all do).
Fast forward 10 months and for the past 6-8 weeks it seems it's only interested in biting and clawing; and hissing and spitting, often attacking its owners with no provocation.
Did anything change in the house 6-8 weeks ago? (apart from the cat)

brownspeed

Original Poster:

827 posts

137 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
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Thanks for the replies so far; my suggestion was summat troubling her too and I think she's gonna get a trip to the vets soon.
Nothing has changed (that we know of) in last 8 weeks
They're going down the small water pistol route as a deterrent
His girlfriend works from home and theres loads of attention and stimulation available
Have passed all this info on to him; hopefully she'll change back. my cat (Colin) is a supper cuddly* ginger male, which has conditioned him to think his cat would be the same.
  • with humans only- with other cats- he's a nutter!!

Kes Arevo

3,555 posts

45 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
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As others have said, could be in.pain, or have issues with food, essentially making it extremely grumpy.

It could also be a cat 'bullying' it outside, and she is living on edge. Can be an indicator if you see how they react going outside. Relaxed, or eyes on stalk, wary?

Get her to the vet and get her checked.

pidsy

8,150 posts

163 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
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Tried Feliway?

One of the guys at work had this and it turned out that the cat was diabetic. Treatment stopped the aggression but he died a year later.

Simpo Two

86,669 posts

271 months

Thursday 12th October 2023
quotequote all
pidsy said:
Tried Feliway?

One of the guys at work had this and it turned out that the cat was diabetic. Treatment stopped the aggression but he died a year later.
I just thought of Feliway too.

Another vote for a trip to the vet for a checkover and blood test.