We've had Koco since he was a kitten. He really hadn't given us a single problem until now, I think he's going through puberty or something... but lately he's been fighting with my two year old over toys, blankets, pillows, well what ever the other one wants. It's almost like having another child! It's so weird I've never heard of a cat who acts this way. He's also biting and scratching her. She doesn't complain about it she just fights back.
I guess what really bothers me is the biting and scratching. I don't like to see scars on her. Is there a way for me to teach him to stop? Has anyone ever gone through this??Is it normal for a cat to want all my daughters toys only when she plays with them? sometimes I feel like he doesn't think he's a cat.
by the way he's only six months old.
I couldn't train him so I let my mother in law keep him.
This is probably what you do not want to hear, but I had a cat when my son was born and had jealousy problems like crazy. That's what it sounds like to me. I ended up having to find another home for Mazi (the cat, not the son!). It escalated to him going into the crib and pooping right where Ken's head went. Came really close one time!
I just had to mention this because it has saved my family pet situation!! We have a 2 year old cat who would scratch everything, not people just all my furniture and I couldn't stand it anymore so I did some research and found this product online and went for a trip to the local pet store. Drum roll please.... Soft Claws! They are silicone claw covers that do just that, cover the claw so that they can scratch but without doing any harm and without having them de-clawed. My cat tried to pull them off for the first day and now she is used to them and I love them, no more scratching and she has pretty little nails. They come in all kinds of colors and sizes, I got blue because she is a russian blue cat. As for the possessiveness, get a water bottle and squirt him, they hate that, he will quit in a hurry. He probably is old enough to be neutered too!!! http://www.softpaws.com/
Hope that helps!
That is a unique behavior description based on my experience as a long time cat owner and working in the veterinary profession---especially since it has just appeared. Usually, with cats if something/anything in the household has changed you can see a variety of behaviors.
Two things come to mind....Is the cat neutered? You are right about puberty---some reach sexual maturity around 6-7 mos of age although that is early for most. Secondly, I would recommend an exam by your family veterinarian---there may be an explanation based on the exam but if everything appears normal, aside from the neutering your veterinarian can offer additional explanations.
One more thing, there are animal behaviorists willing to do in home visits. This sometimes can be the quickest means to an end since your pet can be observed in it's own environment. Check animalbehaviorassociates.com as well as petplace.com for general information, including behavior problems.
Best wishes.
My first thought would be whether he is spayed or not...sometimes cutting off their testies calms them down greatly. Other than that, he may just be crazy. We had a crazy cat in our neighborhood that started pouncing down out of trees onto children walking home from school without any provocation. He was a spayed cat, he just was nutso. In that case I'd get a new cat or start making him an outside cat or declaw him. I'm a cat lover so don't think I'm against cats, but all those scratches that he's giving your toddler can bring bad infections from the cat's claws! (think of what they do with their paws in a litter box, scrape around their own mess with their paws...)
Good luck.
I agree wuth the suggestions of using a spray bottle when the kitty is doing something bad, but I think the other part of the problem is that your cat may be getting jealous of your daughter because he isn't getting enough attention. Try setting aside a little one-on-one time with your cat, and be sure to acknowledge the kitty whenever you can. A little scratch behind the ears or a short nap on your lap can go a long way when your cat feels it is playing second fiddle to your children.
Good luck!
We had a spray bottle. The rule was, you could only spray the cat when he was being bad, so you'd have to be on top of it or your daughter will have a great time spraying kitty. Put a spray bottle of water on the jet setting (the hard spray) & when you catch him starting to pounce on her, or trying to take a toy, or opening his mouth to bite-spray him.
I agree that you should take him to the vet, and if he's not neutered, then that would be the wise thing to do. If he already is and there's nothing else wrong with him, then you need to start treating him like a cat. Having an animal around your child that bites and scratches is unacceptable. You need to make sure that you do a couple of things:
1) Make sure to teach your daughter to be gentle with the cat. It's good that she'll defend herself if necessary, but at the same time, animals, esp cats can sense rough children, and either they'll avoid them like the plague, or happily react, and how he reacts to people, esp children now is going to set the standard for how he behaves his whole life. Plus, if your daughter learns to be gentle now, she's less likely to have bad experiences with animals later on.
2) Do not put up with this behavior from your animal. Animals will behave like children-badly if you let them get away with it. Try keeping a spray bottle around and watch the cat. Do NOT let him play with your daughter's toys-at all. If he goes near them, spray him with the water bottle. If he thinks he can play with them at all, then he'll believe he has some sort of right to them. Animal logic is pretty simple. If he approaches the toys while your daughter is playing with them, spray him and speak sternly. Don't worry about traumatizing him-this is effective aversion therapy. Make sure that he has his own toys to play with-keep them in a basket of just his toys, and gently introduce him to them-make sure that your daughter does NOT play with these.
It can be frustrating dealing with animals, but it's really important to keep in mind that they are animals, and your child is most important. You need to be the one in charge and establish boundaries, and both the cat and your daughter are the perfect ages to start setting those boundaries. Best of luck!
People love to say that cats are not trainable, but they absolutely are - I have successfully trained every cat I have ever had not to get on counter tops, couches, claw things, etc. Here is my way (but I usually start from day one coming home...)
When the cat does something you do not want the cat to do, do one, or both of these things. Clap loudly, and sternly say NO! (loudly) The cat will at least look at you and stop, may run. The other thing is to squirt him with a water bottle. (also saying NO!!) I have better luck with the clapping, personally - they hate a loud noise. If he continues the behavior right after you say no, stop him from doing the behavior and say NO! While you are stopping him. Continue this way until he starts getting it. Shouldn't take more than a month.
Cat's claws are very dirty - it's not good for him to scatch your child. All animals (like kids) want to know they boundaries, and if you don't make any, they will run the house as they see fit. He is testing those boundaries and you just have to tell him no. Consistency is key.
Another thing I do is to train my cats to come to a whistle. I whistle a certain whistle, and give them a treat (meat baby food or canned cat food). I do this daily for a coule of weeks, then maybe once a week for several months. This is another way to get the cat to come where you want him when you want him.
First things first, get the cat fixed. He is probably going through puberty and is trying to show that he is in charge. Make an appointment with your vet or check with your local shelter for a spay/neuter clinic.
He's at the age where he might be hitting puberty. First thing, take him to the vet and get him neutered. It can help him calm down, and it will prevent future problems like marking his territory.
Don't leave the 2 of them alone. She could hurt him as easily as he can hurt her. She's just too young to understand how to be gently to kitty, and how to not fight back. When he attacks, remove him from the situation. Put him in the bathroom or something.
Also, get him a few kitty toys and teach her to not play with them (if she takes his toys, remover her from the room). Catnip toys are very liked. Another easy one is a laser pointer. Cats love chasing the light all over the place (just be sure no one shines it in eyes)
Here is the biggest thing that I see. I have had cats all my life and here is the biggest problem I see with small children and cats. My granddaughters did this with their kitten. They carted her everywhere, whether she wanted to go or not. They kept saying to me, look she loves it as she is growling at them. She hated it and was soon attacking them and mean as all get out. They were nice and carried her gently but she started protecting herself and even attacking them. If you love you cat, let her go and she will come back to you on her own terms. That is the motto that I live by. Never force the cat to snuggle or be with you. If she wants to leave, let her. The girls would go on about how she had to be with them. No, let her leave and come back on her own. You will be amazed at this. The cat is defending itself. Stop forcing it to be with the child. It will take the kitten a bit to realize it doesn't have to defend itself anymore. Give it room and freedom. I don't use water bottles but that is my choice. I respect the cat and it returns the favor with love and affection. I discipline the kitten but gently. If you pick it up by the neck even a little like its mom would it knows it is in trouble. Teach your children not to force but turn loose and the animal will come back.
The other suggestions are quite good, but if the spray bottle idea doesn't work with the biting, I have an alternate method that I have used on many many cats without fail.
When the cat bites, instead of drawing back quickly turn your finger/hand sideways so you don't gag them and push back in their mouth. It will not hurt them. This is not the effect they desire and they do not like it. I guarantee it works after a few times if you are consistent about it.
Also with regards to the scratching, clip your kitty's nails. It isn't difficult, simply cut the sharp tips off to avoid getting scratched each time. Grab his paw and push on each digit gently which will reveal the claw. You just want to be sure to stay away from the pink quick. He may pull a little bit when you do this because he isn't used to having his paws handled, but don't release just because he objects. Be persistent. I use a regular nail clipper to do this at home, but some prefer the little nail scissor thingies you can buy for cat and dog claws. Whatever you are more comfortable with. You may want to have help with this and have someone else hold the cat while you trim.
Cats play rough when they are young because they don't know better. They are used to having siblings to pick on who are protected from those sharp kitten teeth and claws by their fur. We don't have such luxuries and they need to learn that.
Hopefully this helps!
Good luck!
The kitten is 6 months old, and still a kitten. I agree to have him neutered, clipping the claws, use a spray bottle, and I like the trick about pushing the finger towards him. I have two 8 month old kittens and one 18 month old boy. They always want his toys, and to sleep in his crib and on his laundry. I think part of it is that they see who gets the attention, and partly because that object is moving, so that is the thing to play with.
We have taught our son to use gentle touches, but at this point, that is still laying on them. They are actually pretty gentle with him, and only lately have been a little more aggressive. When we see that we remove my son from the situation, spray them, and try to distract them either with their own toys, or even a laser pointer.
Yes, you need to teach good habits (for the biting and scratching), but please don't forget that the kitten is only 6 months, and is just trying to be a kitten, and this is such a great time to teach your daughter how to be gentle with them.
