Considering rehoming cat

[ScattySuze]

This is very upsetting as we got him as a kitten 4 years ago
We also have an elderly cat who doesn't go out or socialise much but is very loving and if stroked will sit and purr and so on
The boy cat has always been very dominant, regularly attempting to attack the older cat if she comes downstairs.
Luckily as he likes to spend most of his time during the day outside she is able to roam but of an evening once he is in she goes upstairs only coming out for food which we then place upstairs for her
He had a few cat fights outdoors too with other boy cats although has come off worse in a few of them so I'm not sure who initiated it but I would hazard a guess it's him
In the past month he has also bitten me whilst I've been stroking him, it's almost like he's got a split personality disorder as will come to me to be stroked, purring away happily but then will grab my arm with both paws and bite really hard
It's not playful biting, he pulls the arm in and then attacks
It was a struggle to get him off this evening and now I'm very worried in case he does this to either of the children ( aged 4 and 6 )
We rehomed him last year with a friend with no children ( for 1 month ) after he did this to my husband but he never settled and pined for us and actually got lost trying to find our house
He has never shown any aggression to the kids but equally doesn't tend to go to them to be stroked so I'm panicking it's only a matter of time
I'm at a loss of why he does this

Don't scruff an adult cat for gods sake. It's painful for them and likely to make a cat who is already lashing out more likely to do so!

It's a disgusting way to handle your pet. Would you like to be dangled by the flesh of your neck?

Are you absolutely certain he isn't hurting somewhere? Cats hide illness very well. And lash out to protect sore/painful areas.
Yes yes to playing with him to tire him out. Really tire him out.
Gentle and separate play/attention/ treat bribes with your senior to coax them out.
And Jackson Galaxy.

I can't imagine my cat's reaction if I tried scruffing him now!! I think I'd lose an arm OP I get that you wanted everyone to agree with you so you felt more certainty in what you want to do. Our first cat was like this - in fact attacked me multiple times when I was pregnant (I think I smelt differently). He was a massive softie when it came to ds though. Our second cat adores DS2 and DS1 knows not to surprise him as he's less tolerant of him.

I wouldn't rehome given that he pined so badly before. Also with that attitude to cars he may not be long for the world anyway so why not let him have a happy life?

Fucking hell pts
Seriously if a pet doesn't behave how you want rehome it, but pts [hmm
I think you've already decided what you're going to do.
We have a biter.
Young visiters know not to touch him.

From the way the OP is posting I think she's completely withdrawn any affection and interaction from him as she's so upset by the way he's behaving.

I also think she's so upset she's unable to see that the cat is a cat and not imbued with higher order human motives.

With someone who wanted to make this situation work, they'd be open to trying cat behaviorists, medication and a lot of changing their own behaviour to see what helps.

But the OP doesn't want to make it work and giving that advice is falling on completely closed ears. For whatever reason she's past the point of trying, so it seems for the cat it's a choice of rehoming or pts.

Anyone know if it's possible to rehome a cat with such problems, especially as he sadly is attached to his current family? As this is the only action the OP is prepared to consider, I'd personally be getting expert advice and information about how to successfully rehome him.

I have qualifications and experience in animal rehabilitation, rescue and care if we're getting on to knowledge top trumps

The article you posted doesn't support scruffing either:

'Unlike feline moms, I avoid picking cats up by their scruff because most react in much the same manner to the neck pinch even if their weight remains supported by an exam table, carrier, chair, my other hand, etc. I do think that picking up an adult cat by the scruff can be uncomfortable, particularly if he or she is especially large.'

I haven't misunderstood what scruffing means at all. I understand it perfectly, it causes pain and even bruising. Hurting a cat like the one in the OP is likely to make it lash out even worse in retaliation.

Also, it would be totally inappropriate to use techniques that may have to be used on the odd occasions feral cats need handling on a domesticated cat.

If you love cats please don't scruff them. It hurts them and is completely unnecessary. In your example of scruffing your cat and putting them on the floor, withdrawing attention and putting them down is punishment enough, you don't need to pull their flesh too.

That's a massive assumption
We have been trying consistently for a long time
I haven't withdrawn affection, I'm still stroking him when he wants it but of course I am hoping in my mind he doesn't attack me!
He's had a full health check and has no issues

I wouldn't scruff him, I'm pretty sure he would only get more angry

Scruffing an adult cat isn't a great idea unless you want a bloodbath!

Pick up and remove every time. If he bites or lashes out, just move away, say "no" and leave him be. Lots of cats can't handle stimulation and lash out because they don't know what else to do. If you're used to having lap cats, it can take a lot of adjusting to having one who can't handle much attention.

Just let him be. Feed him, change his trays, let him out when he wants. Rehome him if you want, but don't get him PTS for doing what cats do naturally.