My cat bit my mum, no clue what to do

[Biteycat]

My cat is about 6 years old, he lives with my mum (large grounds) and has always been a bit grumpy but he's, unfortunately, crossed a line now.

I think in general he likes to be left alone, however, he has a habit of seeking out cuddles/strokes and then will almost immediately attack you as soon as you touch him. He'll come to sit on your lap and (sometimes) if you move your hand (to pick up the remote/scratch your nose etc) he'll attack. He definitely loves tolerates my husband and me the most as he's always been ours, and in general is ok with us but still does the above on occasion.

Anyway, the other night he was sitting on my mum's lap, begging for strokes, she went to tickle his head and he properly bit her. She didn't think much of it but woke in the night in a lot of pain and in the morning needed to go to the hospital. Her hand is really swollen, she can't use it.

I'm really pissed off and have no clue what to do. What if he's like this around kids when we eventually have them? Is there anything at all I can do?

I have an Arsehole cat that bites 🙄

Well, he spends his day and night following me around meowing for food as currently he's on a diet. Before, when he was accidentally being overfed, he was lovely. Now he's a food obsessed arsehole who even jumps up my leg to bite me! I grab him and dump him outside every time. I'm sure he can sense my fear so picking him up and throwing him out (not roughly) and closing the cat flap is the only thing I can think of doing.

Yes, exactly. If the cats want to disappear for 4 days and roam the woods then they're free to, which is what our cats have always done and have always been very content. They're not stuck inside, so they're not getting angsty and taking it out on us.

Our cat is like this. We've had him since he was 8 weeks and he is chilling out a little now at 15 years. We just live alongside him, cater for his every need, and he gives us, well, nothing in return. Cat gonna cat.

I've never rehomed a cat so far and don't plan on ever doing that. If god forbid it comes to it then I can set up a warm bed and a heater for him in the shed at the bottom of the garden if he really doesn't want to be around people, rather than rehome him anywhere. He really does have a wonderful life here, he can quite literally do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. There is always someone in the house in case he does ever get bored but more than enough space for him to not need to see any of us for days and days if that's his preference.

Petting aggression look up Jackson Galaxy on YouTube he has helpful videos how to deal with it and resolve it

He gives you his presence, for which we should all be grateful 😂Think it'll go the same way for this one!

All cats are pretty unpredictable. I've had several generations. My current three, despite having had identical up brining are totally unique. Three boys.

One is the most placid lap cat. Loves meeting new people. Plays for hours with kids including toddlers and is willing to be picked up and carried around without complaint. Never shown any aggression. Sleeps under the duvet.

His twin is super inquisitive and vocal. But will scratch if picked up and generally avoids strangers

The third is just an arse. We obviously love him but he's so belligerent and grumpy. No one would dare pick him up. He will get on the bed for a stroke. But only after he's intimated the others off the bed. And he'll scratch without provocation.

@ZeroFuchsGiven no your the one who is sounding fucking stupid!
I have more injuries as a result of bloody cats that I don't even own or like than from my dogs!

Cats are untrainable and pose an equally significant risk to children as dogs do.

Tell that to my friend whose toddler had to have plastic surgery after a nasty unprovoked bite to her upper arm. If it had gone for her neck she would probably not be here.

Have you got some stats to back up your final sentence?
I have honestly never heard of a domestic cat attacking and killing a child.

No they don't. You know 1 child that had a bad bite from a cat.

I'm trying to point out that a car is allowed to act in an aggressive manner. More often than not unprovoked. Yet a dog who is provoked is immediately put to sleep. No second chances no stopping the behaviours that are provoking it.
One of our neighbours had a huge bloody cat. It would spring out from under cars and attack dogs, children and anyone who went past. My friends 2 year old was viciously bitten by said cat. It kept coming back till some guy managed to pin it down. My friends daughter has had multiple surgeries. The tendons in her arm where damaged and she no longer has full use of it. If it had bitten her neck she could well have been killed.
So yes cats can be ducking dreadful and nobody takes responsibility for them.

Keep away from him ?

I was given antibiotics after an outdoor cat bite since it punctured the skin. You can get various serious illnesses from cat bites.

I've just googled. There's only one report of someone being attached and that was old. And it was a Bengal. There's never been a fatality from a domestic cat. Ever. Ever. In history. So you really are talking nonsense. People are killed and maimed daily by dogs.

Uh I understand

My apologies.

Fair enough.

We've always had a cat. If I had one as vicious as that, I'd have him put down or rehomed somewhere he is never touched.

@AllThingsServeTheBeam 🤣🤣
Each to their own love

Also cats are NOT untrainable they are very much able to be trained

If they want to be that is!

Hmm, that definitely depends on the cat

Maybe we should say the same about toddlers who go through the biting stage!

Well no. It isn't actually. However sick you are laughing at putting a cat to sleep for no reason. Unless you are utterly deranged, no bet would put a healthy cat down for being a cat.

Can you just have a cat "put down" if they are not seriously ill?
Would any vet agree?
More should definitely be done to stop people from getting animals if they are not aware of all their characteristics.