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*sigh* Not working. Need some serious help.

Ravyn11 Oct 18, 2003 07:44 AM

I've tried the squirt bottle, the shake can, and 'grounding' to the bathroom, and it's not working. If anything, Poseidan is getting more and more aggressive. He loves my dog, but he'll attack her out of nowhere. She's a pushover, most of the time, but when he hurts her she'll knock him down and essentially 'tell' him to knock it off. He'll just come right back after her again, usually until she finally gives up and goes to hide in the bedroom.

He seems to have gotten better with me, and he has yet to actually hurt the dog (though she has yelped a few times), but he's really affecting my other cat. She never comes off the counters any more, and he's hurt her bad enough in places that she's missing fur and has tender scratches. She's even starting to become afraid of ME and it took me nearly a year in the beginning just to get her to trust me in the first place, as she was abused and abandoned when young.

I hate the idea of getting rid of an animal. To me, an animal is your responsibility for life. But my responsibility goes also to my other cat and my dog, and if I can't fix this problem, I'm going to have to take him back to the (fortunately, no kill) rescue. It's either that, or keeping him locked up away from the other animals in the bathroom forever, and I don't want to do that either.

Please, any more advice as to what I should do?? I'm at my wits end and I feel like such a horrid person even contemplating getting rid of him.

Replies (6)

JaimeMarie Oct 18, 2003 05:46 PM

How old is your cat? I have no idea what to tell you about him attacking the other pets. Has he been altered yet?
Maybe a kitten his own age to play with? He sounds like he is bored.
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

Ravyn11 Oct 19, 2003 04:49 PM

He's about five or six months old. He has tons of toys. Yes, he's already neutered, and it is not possible for me to get another kitten his age to play with.

I've had kittens before, both in groups and on their own, and I've never had the level of problem I've had with him. It's beyond play. He's not doing it to play, at least not with my older cat. He's doing it to hurt her. What he does to her goes far beyond what he does to me and the dog, and he's rough with us to begin with.

PHMadameAlto Oct 19, 2003 06:48 PM

Did you get a Comfort Zone plug-in? This may help calm him down. Also put a few drops of Bach's Rescue Remedy in his drinking water every day.

If this doesn't work, I would talk to the vet about the possibility of some kind of kitty tranquilizers - this may help the kitten unlearn some of the aggressive behaviors. The fact that he has damaged your other cat is indicative that this probably not play aggression. Your vet might also be able to recommend an animal behaviorist to help you out.

Best wishes. I know what a terrible dilemma you are facing.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Ravyn11 Oct 19, 2003 06:52 PM

I'm going to see if I can find the comfort zone and bach's tomorrow. Its been suggested by a couple of friends as well. If that doesn't help, it's off to the vet.

If THAT doesn't work, I see little other choice than to find somewhere else for him. My older cat's been through too much traumatizing stuff in her life to have him adding to it right and left. She doesn't deserve that.

PHMadameAlto Oct 20, 2003 10:27 PM

I totally understand that you may need to find a new home for this baby if all the steps don't work. Sometimes even if you try everything things just don't work out. I am sure that you will find a loving home for the cat if you have to - and that you will take the time needed to do so. Not many people show so much patience or try so hard!

I wish you well and I do hope that you can work things out!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

karlacue Oct 21, 2003 07:56 PM

Have you consider getting another kitten, same age and gender? That may help with most of your problems...
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Bob, Daisy, Karla and the Goldfish


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