Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can/should I see about getting my cat to sleep as he keeps attacking people

104 replies

User9988 · 30/08/2017 22:33

Regular lurker, Name changed for this as I am embarrassed.

So I have a cat and he keeps attacking people to the point of I am embarrassed of his behaviour, I have had so many people knock on my door about him complaining.
He's half Bengal he seems to enjoy attacking people, His usual thing is to go up to people act really friendly rubbing himself against them then when they go to pet him he will lash out and attack them. (To be honest sometimes he will just attack anyway but that's his usual thing he does)
He's really menacing the way he does it, leads people into thinking he wants a pet and attention and I'm at the end of my tether with him. I have tried rehoming shelters but they are all booked up and tbh he is not rehomable as he is just too spiteful, he is 6 years old. he attacked a little girl today and it made me so cross and embarrassed.
He's attacked my friends son before too and my kids won't go near him because he's so vicious.
Any advice I would be greatful for. What can/should I do?

OP posts:
Original poster
User9988 · 30/08/2017 22:55

Oh and he has attacked me before but I barely interact with him now as I'm scared of him myself .

OP posts:
Badhairday1001 · 30/08/2017 22:56

The Bengal cat rescue have a helpline that you can call, they are breed experts and offer advice. What you describe is a personality trait of the breed. They are beautiful cats but they are very high maintenance and have lots of behaviours that are not compatible with most people's domestic life. I know it's too late now but for anybody else considering getting one of these cats it is always worth researching the breed.

KeepCalmLadybird · 30/08/2017 22:57

You're welcome. let me know if you need anything else info wise

UnderTheF1oorboards · 30/08/2017 22:57

Get yourself a copy of Catwatching by Desmond Morris. It explains lots of behaviours and how to interpret and react to them. It really helped me sort out my loony moggy.

WhooooAmI24601 · 30/08/2017 22:57

My Mum had a huge run built onto the back of her house for her cats which meant they could go in and out via a cat flap but not prance about the garden and specifically couldn't kick seven bells of shit out of the cats next door who they bullied mercilessly. It might work for him.

Has he ever been hurt or injured by someone who was fussing him? It's an odd thing for a cat to be so feisty; I'd worry that it was a fear-based reflex for him to think he was going to be hurt. We've had cats since I was a kid and I've only ever known one proper nasty bastard and he was revolting because he'd been neglected so badly.

Original poster
User9988 · 30/08/2017 23:01

Yes Ive been told its a personality trait for his breed badhairday, Like he can't be changed. I stupidly thought when buying him as he was half Bengal and half normal cat he would be calmer but he seems to have more of the Bengal in him than a regular cat. Thank you I didn't know there was a helpline either.

OP posts:
Badhairday1001 · 30/08/2017 23:03

Fingers crossed you can get some help or find a good home for him!

Original poster
User9988 · 30/08/2017 23:06

Thanks keepcalm for being so helpful!

OP posts:
Original poster
User9988 · 30/08/2017 23:06

Thanks badhairday!

OP posts:
BeepBeepMOVE · 30/08/2017 23:11

Sounds like he's too much of a handful for you. Any chance you could start looking to rehome him yourself. Maybe somewhere in the countryside where he'd have more space and less people. Even as a semi-barn cat where he could be kept busy hunting rats?

Bengals are pretty desirable, I'm sure you'd find someone interested even if you explain his behaviour.

PeaFaceMcgee · 30/08/2017 23:13

People LOVE Bengals, son will buy him and put in the time and effort he needs.

Btw - you should have kept him in for a few weeks when you moved. To do any less is very irresponsible of you indeed - he could very easily have gotten lost and frightened. If a cat cries you put up with it. He'll soon give up.

Cats need to feel safe and secure. If he is new to the neighbourhood his anxiety will be sky high. They think they have to go out and 'defend their territory' - even neutered or females.

The kindest thing many people can do for their highly strung cats is to make their territory safe and manageable. Bengals do just fine indoors,as do all cats, but they need a great deal of stimulation and entertainment.

It's not an easy breed at all - please consider rehoming.

Original poster
User9988 · 30/08/2017 23:15

Really beepbeep, I've tried that, Rehoming shelters had a waiting list only one would put me on theirs that was a year ago..
Other than that the other rehoming centres said they wouldn't take him in regardless with his behaviour as they couldn't rehome him.
Other than that I don't know anyone with a barn/farm in the countryside I think his breed becomes less desirable when you have to explain his behaviour. :(

OP posts:
gamerchick · 30/08/2017 23:15

Have a binge watch of a load of cats from hell. Learn how to speak cat.

I had to when we got ours, I'm so not a cat person and wanted to know everything I could so she behaved herself. They're fascinating creatures really.

Littlelouse · 30/08/2017 23:16

.

Can/should I see about getting my cat to sleep as he keeps attacking people
PeaFaceMcgee · 30/08/2017 23:16

*someone, not 'son'

SilverBirchWithout · 30/08/2017 23:18

Feliway plug-ins saved our cats life!
We adopted an older cat when his owner died, and although he was house-trained he would wee and poo anywhere, on sofas, beds, stairs. We were at the end of therhers and considered euthanasia. Although he didn't seem stressed to us, the vet thought he might be and suggested getting several plug-ins, as many as we could.
It worked brilliantly, he is a happy and clean cat, and after a few months we didn't need to use the Feliway.

SilverBirchWithout · 30/08/2017 23:18

*end of our tethers.

GardenGeek · 30/08/2017 23:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
User9988 · 30/08/2017 23:19

Peaface you clearly have never met my bengal, He won't stop crying (howling to be a more accurate phrase) he is very vocal and would never stay in for weeks! As I have said he HAS to be outdoors that is what he is like. He loves to be outdoors he won't even come in at night. He's an explorer not an indoor cat at all

OP posts:
PeaFaceMcgee · 30/08/2017 23:21

You HAVE to keep him in if he is injuring people. You have no choice. The Feliway can make a massive difference. Give it a try.

PeaFaceMcgee · 30/08/2017 23:24

Until the behaviour is sorted, that is!

Original poster
User9988 · 30/08/2017 23:26

He does both gardengeek,He is more playful with my husband with the play clawing. With others he will try to hurt more.

OP posts:
DJBaggySmalls · 30/08/2017 23:26

Some people build their Bengals an outdoor run.

Wolfiefan · 30/08/2017 23:26

Cat proof your garden. He can go out but can't cause damage.
Try the feliway.
Speak to a behaviourist.
Use toys etc to direct the mad biting behaviour away from you. One of ours would chase a ball and one loved a feather on a stick.

Original poster
User9988 · 30/08/2017 23:27

I can't peaface it also wouldn't be fair on my own children, It's not an option.

OP posts: