My Cat Is Randomly Attacking Us...

xenathecrazy

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So my 8.5 month old Maine Coon, Oliver has decided to randomly leap up and try to bite us. It started with just my kids. He will follow them, they can just be standing there or just show up and he will go at them. He has bitten my husband and for the first time did it to me. They aren't hard bites but he does put his teeth on you. They aren't love bites either. I know what those are and this is different. There is nothing in particular that sets him off either. He just randomly does it to whoever he feels like it.

He starts flicking his tail and focuses on whoever it is and then jumps and tries to bite their hand or leg. This is completely new behavior from him. He has been the most laid back kitty till now. Could this be his hormones acting up and making him act aggressively? He is my first male kitty so this is new territory for me and he is an only pet. He does have his neutering scheduled for the 27th of this month.

I yell "no" after he has done it, but he will try to do it again. I have picked him up by the scruff on his neck above me and facing me and tell him sternly "no." Today, I started putting him in a "time out" in his crate for a little while to see if that helps any. Since he likes to be where we are, I figured a separation might let him realize that bad behavior gets him removed without attention. The only thing that works to get him away at the moment he's fixated is a distraction such as a toy or dropping something that will startle him.
 

abyeb

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I agree with Talkingpeanut, I think it would be a good idea to try to get him neutered earlier with possible. Whole male cats can have hormone-driven aggression. In the meantime, you might find some helpful tips here: Cat Aggression Toward People
 

jen

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Hiss at him. Speak to him in cat language. Also move the neuter up. It can be done at like 8 weeks old, 8 months may be harder to get rid of the crazy behaviors.
 

rubysmama

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It's possible that his aggression is being caused by hormones, which hopefully neutering will eliminate. Meanwhile, here's another article on that might help explain his aggression: Why Do Cats Attack?
 
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xenathecrazy

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Yes, see if you can move up the neuter. And he is too old and too heavy to be picked up by the scruff. That's for baby kittens; you could seriously hurt him.

Unfortunately, the 27th is the earliest date that I can do. I wish I could move it up but I cannot right now. I won't do the scruff anymore, but I don't do it hard nor do I just let him hang without support on his bottom. I did it just enough to elevate him above me so he can face me. I should have clarified that too.
 
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xenathecrazy

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Hiss at him. Speak to him in cat language. Also move the neuter up. It can be done at like 8 weeks old, 8 months may be harder to get rid of the crazy behaviors.

I can't move the date up right now. Also, he is a purebred Maine Coon and I was advised that due to his breed, he shouldn't be fixed till at least 7 months due to the possibility of bone density issues. I've had cats before and they've all been fixed very early on but he is my first purebred large breed cat. He never had crazy behavior till just now. He's been the sweetest and most laid back cat till these incidents now so it's out of character for him.
 
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Jem

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I think the neuter will probably help, but in the mean time, can you keep some towels or small blankets around your home and at the ready? When he gets into his attack mode, if distracting him with a toy does not work, just throw the towel/blanket over him, it can keep him distracted long enough so he no longer is fixated on attacking someone.
I would also encourage you to have your kids carry treats or a toy with them, so they are ready if the cat goes for them.
The other thing to consider, have you noticed any other cats or animals outside that are threatening his territory? He may be displaying redirected aggression because something, that he can't get to, is stressing him out, so he takes it out on the first moving object he sees. Redirected aggression always seems "random" to us because we can't detect what they're bothered by.
I know you said it's the earliest appointment you can get, but you could always call your vet and plead with them that if a cancellation comes up to give you a call. (that is, if the reason for the later appointment is due to their schedule, I don't mean to assume)
Good luck with your kitty in the mean time.
 
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xenathecrazy

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I like the towel/blanket idea. I will have to do that. He can get distracted by a toy which we've done sometimes if someone is nearby to grab one. We are in an apartment right now and due to the location of it, he isn't seeing any other cats or animals that can be setting him off. I called in to see about moving the appointment earlier if possible and they will have to get back with me, but it looks unlikely. Other vets in the area are much more costly or are further out into January.
 

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Definately hiss at him. Growl. It totally works, they get cat language more than people language. Once upon a time Grey used to attack feet. Hissing and growling, along with paying attention to his body language and stopping for a second for him to get bored before walking past him, helped a lot. And having nightly playtime until he got bored, which was 15 minutes about.

I think It'll get better after the neuter too. Is he your only cat? He might be directing behaviors he would normally direct at other cats at you.
 

Wile

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Hi Xena, one other thing to try that others haven't mentioned yet is to spend more time playing with him to drain off all that extra energy. It is good that his neuter is coming up very soon. Until then extra exercise with an appropriate toy, like a wand toy that he can chase, will help manage his play aggression.
 

kissthisangel

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Divide "time with the cat" up in your household and play with him full energy as much as you can. He's currently a teenager and is expressing his energy inappropriately. Any time you or any of your household members feel his teeth on your skin, squeal. Not so loud that you scare him to death but enough to get him to back off. Then, walk away from him and hand the "play baton" over to the next person. Kittens in a litter Squeal in a high pitched tone to convey they are feeling pain from the attack of their litter-mates "ouch that hurts" during play. Or a hiss "don't come near me right now" in other times. Once he's neutered his hormones won't be driving his energy and you and your family can teach him good and bad play. Praise him for attacking the toy, good boy good boy big finale, treats then rest and physical praise because you are using a crate, once he's tired out you could place him back into the crate for a time for him to rest. He's acting the big I am but he will still tire and need rest. You may not wish to allow your children to be alone with the cat depending on the age of the kids. If you feel that they are old enough you might assign them short shifts of their own. Re-iterate whatever boundaries you set to the kids and explain how this will help the cat if it's appropriate to their age. Once he's neutered it should be much easier to initiate a pattern to his daily routine and control the crazy a bit more but he is still going to be high energy because kittens just are.
 
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xenathecrazy

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I called the vet and explained his out of norm behavior change. I told them that I don’t want this to become a habit and he’s going for surgery tomorrow. So that’s the good news. Now, I have to wait till his hormones work they way out. My kids are all elementary school age and they play with him a lot. My hubby and I play with him a lot too. He loves chasing laser lights and chasing strings and things like that. He gets plenty of attention and he loves to be where we are. I just want my sweet baby back without the bites.
 

kissthisangel

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It's great you've been able to move the surgery up. I don't live in America, but I checked and elementary is 5-10 years? They should be old enough to hold understanding about cat rules and play time no problem keep the younger ones safe by using wand toys for kid's play time, keeping the cat away from their hands and body. When you play with the laser toys, give him something to sink his claws and teeth into at the end of play sessions. Some cats really follow the Chase Catch Kill routine (this sounds like it's going to be what yours is like, even after a neuter), Lasers are brilliant for the chase, but the "catch and kill" is lacking. Kicker toys offer no "chase" element, so they are the perfect option to keep in your back pocket (Literally) and throw it down once you're done with the laser toy, point the laser at it and then chill whilst your cat plays "catch and kill". Another option here is fetch, you give the toy ( a sisal mouse which rattles or similar ) a high value by shaking it and holding it out of the cat's reach and then throwing it, then they go and get it "kill it" then bring it back to you. Talk to the cat the whole time. We use "get the meeecee, where's the meeceee? Can you kill the meecee Charlie? and when he brings it Oh what a good boy Charlie. So Clever, look at that..." and so on.

There are so many different types of play.

I suggest that you do not encourage "direct touch" play with your cat like arm wrestling or tapping them or basically any play that requires direct physical contact. Instead up the long reach play before any petting.
 

rubysmama

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That's great that he's going for his neutering tomorrow. Hopefully, once the hormones are out of his system, he'll stop his aggressive behaviour.
 

Hellenww

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It's wonderful that his appt is moved up. Since Maine Coons mature/grow at a slower rate maybe he is also teething. It's 10+ yrs since I've had a kitten but I understand they make chew toys for cats now.
 
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