Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello

Recently I adopted a recently nutered 3 year old tom cat from the shelter. I guess the shelter found this cat as a stray.

Ok

I adopted this cat thursday is the day he came home.

Yesderday he was sitting on my lap purring away and I had to go to work so i gently took him offf my lap and got up well I guess he didnt like that so he grabbed onto my leg and tried to bite me, I was lucky enough to get away unhurt that time he got my pants and not me.

Then just after that he got out of the room hes staying in snuck out well i went caught him picked him up (ALWAYS GENTLE) put him back in his room well this time he JUMPED Up at me tried to bite me and clawed me up pretty bad.

ANd then NOW TODAY he got out of his room again & I picked him up to put him back he was fine until i put him on the ground well then he let out a howl and JUMPEd up at me attacked my shoulder this time he really nailed me good he PUnctured my skin with his teeh and clawed up my arm so bad. My arm is KILLIng me right now the parmacist told me to watch it and keep putting hydrogene peroxide & if it gets worse I should go to the emergency.

I called the shelter and they are going to take the cat back monday. Right now he is lounging around in his room purring like NOTHING even happened! EVEN 5 mins after he bit me he started to roll around like nothing happened! GOd i feel like total crap I even bought some FELIWAY today and plugged it in his room well it for sure did not help his temper issue.

I dont think the shelter is going to re adopt him out because i had to be honest with what happened & i dont live alone I live with my mother who is an ex cancer patient if he were to do what he did to me to her i dont even want to think about it. God i am so depressed.

I can tell this is really bothering you. Can I suggest you wait just a few more days to see if he calms down? Let him get used to his surroundings a bit more and to you? Get a spray bottle of water and if he starts to attack you, say NO loudly and spray him. It may help stop the behavior. He is new to you and your house. Give it a full week or two and see if it gets any better. He may calm down considerably once he feels safe. You may also want to keep him confined to a small room for a week or so to help him get acclimated easier.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

OK i am thinking about that. But theirs something wrong with this cat. Hes abnormally strong for a cat. He goes outside already and when he steps out the door all other cats (wild ferals) RUN in terror. NO one and nothing messes with him hes like a god of the cat world. I caught him even chasing and attacking MY OWN cat that we got from a barn who is an extremly nasty calico cat herself. BUt when hes indoors he leaves my indoor cats alone usually but hes tried to fight them a few times as well.

Still think i should give it a try ?

Hi,

I don't think there is necessarily anything "wrong" with this cat. His behavioral issues stem from his having been a stray, and the fact that he was recently neutered. He still has those hormones. This is why he is so strong and unpredictable.

If you decide to give him more time, he should be confined to his own room. No contact with other cats should be allowed while he is adjusting. You should spend time with him, but not pick him up or even pet him. He becomes overstimulated easily and I think that is why he has attacked.

This can work, but it will take a great deal of time and patience. If you are unable to do this perhaps returning this cat to the shelter would be best.

Regards,
PHKitkat

Still think i should give it a try ?

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Yes, I do. Give it a few days to let him get accustomed to you and your household. If it just doesn't work out, you'll know.

I would keep him confined to one room for a week or two and slowly integrate him into your household. After a few days, put your other indoor cat(s) in a room temporarily and let him out if you want to let him have full run of the house for a while to sniff and get used to it.

Go slow and easy for a couple weeks and if there is no change and he is too aggressive for you, then return him. He's been put into a totally new environment and maybe giving him a couple weeks will work. Maybe not.

Has he been seen by a vet? It is a good idea to have him checked out -- especially if you have other cats in the house.
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Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

I had a roomie years and years ago that adopted an older cat who bit me. She had already been declawed front and back, her teeth were all she had left! This cat hated me the moment she met me.

My vet suggested we put her in a bathroom for a couple of days and I'd be the only one to take care of her - "the bearer of all things good." (and lay on the treats) It worked. She wasn't ever a lazy lap cat, but she was safe after a week or so, she didn't attack anyone in the next two years.

I always wondered if she didn't attack me instead of my roomie because I was the 'mama' of the dominant cat in the house. his scent was all over me. And I wondered if she hadn't been roughed up in her pervious home - why was she so aggressive with them they had to declaw her front and back but she settled into an okay house cat with us?

Its tough - aggressive cats are a worry with immune compromised family members. Someone suggested calling the shelter back for insight on the cat's personality before making up your mind - sounds like a really good idea. If nothing else you might find a little more peace with your decision either way.

All the best,
Elizabeth

The cat certainly sounds like he has some aggression problems. They can be tamed, but it might take more work and patience than you are willing to put in.

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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!