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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Help!! My cats gone mad!!

28 replies

Parmaviolets13 · 15/08/2017 12:21

He is 5 months, and getting the snip on Friday so that may be the reason behind this.

But he won't stop attacking me or my partner! He's bitey anyway, but when he bites and you manage to get him off, he then stalks you. His ears go back, and he looks like he has a different face. It's all contorted and weird and certainly not cute!!

He then leaps and attacks said arm or hand. He did it a sec ago and the only thing that got him off was a high pitched scream from me.

Anyone any ideas? A spray bottle? Helpppp my poor arms are covered in cuts and scratches!!

OP posts:
Allergictoironing · 15/08/2017 12:29

His age combined with not being neutered yet is a likely cause of some of his behavior, he may well settle down after a few weeks once he's been done.

Also, do you play much with him otherwise with toys? Sounds very much like he wants to practice hunting (which is normal) so using something like a fishing pole type toy like Da Bird will redirect his instincts onto that rather than you. Depending on the cat, some can need up to an hour or mare a day in energetic hunting type play to keep them happy.

Original poster
Parmaviolets13 · 15/08/2017 12:34

He has a few toys but maybe I should get some to help get his frustrations out. I do hope he settles he's so loving usually :(

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AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 15/08/2017 12:38

Ah he's honing his might lion hunting skills, he will settle down.
We used to tire Lucy out buy running round the flat with a lengthy of ribbon for her to chase a good 20mins and shed be nice as pie.
Also gave her boxes a little hidey places, tunnels and the like she could dive in and out of when playing.

She's 4 now and is a proper lazy beast.

YesItsMeIDontCare · 15/08/2017 12:41

Leroy is bitey. If he looks like he's stalking I walk away and refuse to engage with him, consequently he's much less bitey with me than he is with DS or DH (who bloody encourage him to be honest Angry).

Another toy idea is the Bolt Laser, also bird videos on YouTube on a tablet.

And yes he probably will calm down after his OP, but it's not guaranteed!

YetAnotherSpartacus · 15/08/2017 12:43

I read an interesting site once when I had a small visitor who used to pounce on me unawares and bite. It said that whereas cats need play that mimics hunting, at the end they also appreciate a kill toy that they can get their teeth into. I found that my OP's smelly woollen socks fit the bill here - he loved them and really got his teeth into them. I also read that they should be firmly told NO when they bite and that behaviours like waggling fingers to attract them should cease because otherwise they associate you with prey that behaves the same way. I'm not sure how you discipline cats, but I tried the stern 'no' followed by ignoring him and / or going inside away from him.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 15/08/2017 12:48

A couple of kicker toys - chuck one when he starts the savage beast body language so he can beat that up instead of your arm. Also, I'd advise staying still and calm instead of shrieking if he does bite (difficult I know, it bloody hurts). A still unresponsive 'prey' is much less interesting and walking away from him (shutting the door behind you) if he's stalking you also a god idea as PP said.

Our boy is still occasionally bitey despite being neutered and played regularly with but we have learned that yelling only ramps up the behaviour and we just have to watch the small changes in body language very carefully and try to pre-empt the savagery. DH ended up in A&E after a bite got infected, it's no joke.

Original poster
Parmaviolets13 · 15/08/2017 13:06

Ooo thanks for all the advice! Il find some new toys and rummage around the house for things to get his teeth into.
I do find that ignoring him is good and he does get bored, but today I think I was just so frustrated :(
I just can't believe the difference in his face it's actually quite scary!
I haven't got an iPod but I have a kindle so I'll try and find something cat friendly on there, maybe some fish 😁

OP posts:
Original poster
Parmaviolets13 · 15/08/2017 13:07

This is the back of my arm at the moment. Front and other arm is covered too.

The culprit is in the background!

Help!! My cats gone mad!!
OP posts:
YetAnotherSpartacus · 15/08/2017 13:12

and rummage around the house for things to get his teeth into if your DP has some really ugly and old thick woollen socks, let's say a really bright orange, that you really hate, rolled into a fat wedge they do really well as a kill toy and bunny kick toy.

Your poor arm trying not to think of Friday's revenege.

Polter · 15/08/2017 13:13

Yeoww toys are good for a bitey cat. PolterCat loves the Pollock fish.

Polter · 15/08/2017 13:14

Yeowww Pollock Fish Cat Toy www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000F5XSH2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YvUKzbZ6JYCCK?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Original poster
Parmaviolets13 · 15/08/2017 13:14

I will have a scout around 😁 I have just set up some fish thing on the kindle that i thought he was enjoying but he's just biting the shit out of the screen

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 15/08/2017 13:16

This is where I'm kinda glad we got 2 kittens as they kill each other instead of us!

LinkPlease · 15/08/2017 13:16

Get him some of these, my cat loves them and it allows them to express hunting behaviour

www.viovet.co.uk/Kong_Cat_Kickeroos/c4474/?quick_find=115415&gclid=CjwKCAjwt8rMBRBOEiwA2F2biNvsrW15Gc9XznUiT_k5FM8qbCi3vHw18ZpMNXr7RRqG_JUOXhWs1BoCYUQQAvD_BwE

Original poster
Parmaviolets13 · 15/08/2017 13:26

Ooo thanks Link, that's a good price too. He's sleeping on the bed now, like butter wouldn't bloody melt

Help!! My cats gone mad!!
OP posts:
Cailleach1 · 15/08/2017 13:35

What are you talking about? That puddy is an angel. And you have thoughtfully provided material with birds on it.

I have just had my boy neutered. He is less aggressive, I think. Still full of beans, but slightly less driven.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 15/08/2017 13:44

Asleep my arse. One eye is open and he's watching you.

YetAnotherSpartacus · 15/08/2017 13:44

He's gorgeous by the way :)

Original poster
Parmaviolets13 · 15/08/2017 13:44

I know he's absolutely lush when he's asleep!
That's good to hear though, I'm sure Friday night he'll be feeling sorry for himself anyway Grin

OP posts:
YesItsMeIDontCare · 15/08/2017 14:05

This is my arm, four days after I stopped him launching an attack on another cat!

He has FIV so I have to stop him. He was on his lead so I scooped him up in my arms, but bloody hell was he cross about it! It's just the one cat he absolutely HATES!

Help!! My cats gone mad!!
Help!! My cats gone mad!!
5rivers7hills · 15/08/2017 15:19

@Polter I just ordered one of those fishes

Doobigetta · 15/08/2017 17:32

You forget how much damage kittens do to you, don't you. My legs are a mass of scratches- my six month old is past the bitey fighty stage, but still likes to haul herself up me when she wants attention. It bloody hurts!
When she was at her worst, though, we got her a couple of dog toys- big soft floppy things as big as her- for her to really beast properly. She still goes for them when she's feeling feisty. It's the cutest, funniest thing ever when she carries her donkey around- it's so big she can't quite walk straight, but she holds her little head and tail up so proudly and importantly Grin

SweetChickadee · 15/08/2017 17:38

oho you're in trouble - he's got a bit of Bengal in there Grin

We adopted a rather spotty 'tabby' 4 years ago.... oh boy

Great fun and super loving, but shouty and active and needs lots of attention.

Polter · 15/08/2017 18:25

Hope your cat likes it 5rivers Smile

Original poster
Parmaviolets13 · 15/08/2017 20:19

Grin sweet I did wonder if he had a bit of bengal in him as he has lots of spots on his belly. Are they known for being a bit more boisterous?
Ah Doobi that sounds so cute! I love it when they pick things up like a dog haha it's the cutest thing. On the hunt now for lots of toys...

Hope your arm gets better Yes, looks nasty! :(

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