Should I swap my cat for a less mental one?

[SpookyBearistheSpookyBear]

We got our kitten from Battersea at 8 weeks old in late June.

She settled in quickly and rapidly made herself at home, scratching the baby and trashing the toddler's toys.

If you pick her up and stroke her she will bite and nip a few times before settling down on your knee for a stroke.

In my mother's words she is "mad as a bag of snakes".

A behaviouroligist from Battersea came to the house yesterday and said it's possible she's the "psycho of the litter", or maybe her parents were "feral" and this has come out in her genetic make up . He said if she's truly awful they can rehome her and try and find us another kitten.

I was living in hope that once she's been neutered and can go out she'll calm down.

I'd be curious as to what other people make of this?

have you had her spayed? because we had a similar prob and after spaying it was a little better. not much help sorry

A reply!

Thanks Wideload.

Having her "done" later this month.

I think if she's liek this after 4 months chances are it is part of her character I'm afraid.

You have to decide if you can live with it or not.

I have a soft spot for mad cats though

Sounds like a female cat - all the females I have owned have been a bit nuts. They do get a bit better after they have been done but even so....ours wants to be stroked but after a certain time and without warning will have a nip. That said our old femalte cat got better with age and females don't wonder like boys and so are less likely to get run over etc.

I will 2nd the female problem, i have one male (neutered) who was completely feral when we got him, he is a little gem! so friendly and sweet and has NEVER clawed or bitten anyone.

We have one female, who has also been neutered, and we actually bought from a very big posh detached house (kittens raised with children) and she is terrible, not a pet at all, she is unpredictable, will not let you stroke her ever, in fact pretty pointless as a pet, but i know no one else would ever take her on, so she will live to an old age with us.

Sounds to me like you should think about the future for your kitten and yourselves too, i echo that if she is like this 4 months in i doubt she will change.

This adds up actually, I had 2 male cats who were loving and affectionate all the time, would always welcome a warm lap to sit on.

Now I have a female cate and although she does not wander far or come in covered in oil/shit/mud etc like the boys did she will only be petted on her terms, and some times a little nip she will give to say 'enough'

She sits on top of the stairs and pounces on you sometimes, and as you walk past her she will attack yuor legs.

I guess mine is a bit nuts too

This is interesting. Thanks.

Obviously I know not to leave the kitten alone with my baby, but she will sometimes storm into the living room and just jump on Baby Bear and start biting her little feet, and it's just not on.

Part of me thinks part of being a responsible cat owner is sticking with the cat we've got and providing her the home we promised (as in a cat is not just for Xmas...)

On the other hand, my children's welfare has to come far above that of a kitty!