Claws McGraws the swipey bitey rescue cat

[MidlandCatGirl]

Hi all,

Sorry this is a long one, didn’t expect it to be!

We got a rescue cat 8 weeks ago now and in true rescue fashion, no history to speak of. He was ‘found’ in Coventry and is put at around 16 months of age. He’s spent 3 months in one rescue pen whilst attempts were made to find his owner, he was then relocated to another rescue (I’m assuming it’s so he doesn’t try to walk back to his old turf) where he spent another 3 months before we adopted him.

Weeks 1 and 2 he went from nervous to confident but in week 3 he turned into a nightmare, would chase up the stairs whenever we walked up them, then bar our exit, swiping at us with claws out when we had no option other than to step over / past him. He’d regular run at my sons feet and attack. After doing a loud handclap no! each time he misbehaved he stopped this however despite it now being week 8, he’s not really progressed in terms of affection - it’s like he still thinks we’re going to hurt him but now it’s my husband who’s being clawed (he was stoking the cat earlier and he suddenly grabbed his hand and did the bunny kick on him - he does this a lot and no amount of ‘no’, handclap or ‘ouch!’ is working).

We had cats years ago who we had to say good night too when they reached very old age and I suppose the memory of a sweet affectionate docile 19yr old cat is clouding my memory but we now have a cat who will only allow affection strictly on his terms - he won’t sit on laps, won’t even sit near you, if you try to pick him up he’ll turn his head and simultaneously try to bite your hand whilst also doing a claws out swipe.

I know he’s emotionally messed up due to whatever has happened to him in his past plus spending around 6 months of his life in various pens with minimal human interaction hasn’t helped but I’m just wondering when it’s going to get better. Two friends recently adopted rescues and they’re sending photos of their cats just days later sitting on their laps, giving their faces headbutts, cat kisses etc - I daren’t put my face anywhere near my cat for a kiss as I know he’d probably rip my skin off.

Has anyone else had a rescue cat like this? Does it get better? I know it’s early days and I do have patience but sometimes it just doesn’t seem like there’s any light at the end the tunnel.

I can't say for rescue cats but I know my cats that are feral that live in the garden start swiping when they want to play. That's how you build up the relationship, through playing with them. And being inside they need an awful lot of it.

I have a rescue (from 7 weeks) and she does the bunny kick thing sometimes. when she has had enough of strokes!

It was a good couple of years before she sat on our laps. She still isn't massively cuddly. Cats have different personalities and some just aren't hugely affectionate, especially when young.

Are you playing with him? Get some of those wand type toys and wear him out.

8 weeks is no time at all. Give him time.

Our latest rescue has been with us for 3 months, is a similar age to yours and is nowhere near letting us pick her up or put a collar on.

She will accept strokes and has sat next to us on a few occasions.

Most of the swiping is play though, claws only slightly extended.

We just let her move along at her own pace. All our previous kits or kattens have calmed down massively once they get to about 4 years old.

Oh and my cat hates being picked up too, lots don't like it. She is generally a bit of a spiky madam tbh but I love her to bits.

Oh he’s played with plus has lots of toys to entertain himself with and has access to a very safe garden (which backs on to a massive field). He has moments of utter sweetness and then moments of pure ouchiness.

I think maybe him being a solo cat whereas before we had 2 means we’re getting the brunt of the practice hunting / clawing.

The sweetness moments will get longer and more frequent, but it will take time.

Yabu not to pay dcat tax op.

I think just let him do his own thing as far as it is feasible. Wait for him to come to you.

Yeah. Photo pls.

Have you got him a kickeroo? Do you use catnip? He will get there in time. Have you any photos?

I absolute adore him, he’s a beautiful boy so I won’t be giving up on him. It’s reassuring to know that it’s not just ‘him’ or his background (though obviously that has had some impact).

I must’ve forgotten what my previous two were like as kittens 25 years ago (yikes).

Picture of Mr Claws as I believe this is the rules with cat posts.

He has catnip, catnip mice, balls (he adores playing football so got him a super mini sized one), tall scratching post. I’m off to investigate a Kickeroo now and will also be buying him a mouse on a string thingie.

thank you all for your reassurance, it really has helped me lots. xx

Oh he is gorgeous!😍 He looks like he is settling in well.

I'm about 2 and a half years in with my semi-feral stray. She's still bitey/swipey, but has also become super snuggly. My advice is: stop with the clapping and shouting, it's scary and aversive training rarely works; hand feed treats or wipe lick-e-lix on your hands for him to lick off to create positive associations with your hands; and use treats to get him to move away if needed like on the stairs. I had treat pots all over the house for immediate distraction purposes! Mine also felt easily trapped so we had to be careful in doorways and on the stairs, always giving her space.

Oh he looks cheeky! What a beaut.

Our 2 rescue kittens have come from the same place and been treated exactly the same and at 6 months in one is Mr Love Bug, always after strokes and winding round your feet and can be held like a baby, and one is gorgeous but Mr Aloof who runs away from strokes unless very relaxed and sleepy, or being offered food. Neither voluntarily sit on a lap yet, but will sit near us in bed. I have high hopes that Mr Aloof will become a darling in his own time. It is frustrating, though!

Oh Mr Claws is very handsome indeed.

Ooh he is handsome!!

I've had my escue 6.5 weeks now & he behaves the same way! I brought a few of these & he goes wild for them, and they are great for distracting & encouraging biting elsewhere!

www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Pet-Products-Catnip-Feather/dp/B01LXFID0X/ref=mp_s_a_1_18?adgrpid=115077095222&gclid=CjwKCAiAjPyfBhBMEiwAB2CCIhAnMvgoRA1AEKjVCRt5_QuQQ7RqJckr1vrB88PzlPAEuotVXEqrVhoCLPcQAvD_BwE&hvadid=606303592951&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=1007416&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5218279107511622186&hvtargid=kwd-309705689491&hydadcr=18412_2289453&keywords=gigwi+cat+toys&qid=1677682572&sr=8-18

Wouldn’t be surprised if he had a drop of Bengal in him from the photo.

He sounds a mix of fearful and playful.

You aren't my NDN are you? 😹

-grumpyoldperson- ha ha! That one’s a beauty too but Mr Claws has pointy ear tufts (he also has a habit of rolling about on chairs, forgetting he’s on a chair and sliding off ever so slowly like he’s melting).

Oh Mr Claws is a handsome 😍 chap.

Give him time he's probably going to take a while to settle. You and your DH sound lovely and patient xx

I’ve had my bitey swipey cat since he was a kitten - he swipes for food. I’ve become a very punctual feeder 🤣

Mr Claws is indeed a very handsome chap. Hopefully he'll grow out of his bad habits, but NDN's cat is still a scratchy bitey bastard and we've known him for years. He's very entertaining though 🤣.

My teenage rescue kitty did frustration biting/double paw grabbing with claws so may be a different level of effectiveness but... rather than shouting/clapping etc we found the best way to end an attack was to keep your hand perfectly still (Do NOT pull away) and hiss. Like proper back of the mouth white noise type hiss, until he stops. This was kitty speak for 'I am very upset at you right now' rather than distraction/surprise. Now if he pulls his frustrated face just a little hiss makes him leave the area with zero attack.
Hope this might help a bit :-)

This is our perfectly docile, sweet natured rescue boy when he gets a bit excited and wants to get your attention 🤣.