Hi. My name is Joanna. I adopted the 4th cat into my household a few months ago. He was an outdoor sweetie who I fed and attempted to find a home for for 8 weeks, until he was about 3 months old. During that time, he essentially lived in my backyard, got fed, played with my indoor-only cats through the glass doors, etc. He actually came in and was adopted because he showed absolutely no aggression towards the other cats or people. He would greet us at the door for pets, etc.
He was adopted a little over 3 months ago and he went from the sweetest thing ever while outside to a hellion inside. I dont mind him rough-housing with the other Male cats. It can sound horrific, but I've always had cats and know it is normal.
But tonight, for the third time, he went from absolutely placid to attacking my face and drawing blood. Tonight, he had played in the sink (he loves water) and then was wrapped in a towel, like he always is when wet. In fact, he purposely jumps into the sink for water time whenever we go in to use the bathroom and then edits by the towel rack for it. He went from completely lax and purring and slow blinks to claws in my skin - which took over an hour to stop bleeding. He has done the same to my sister. He also jumps up and randomly bites at feet, knees, etc. And chases and beats on the 17 year 4 lb ball of fluff female.
He has not been neutered yet. A week after we adopted him, we temporarily transplanted to another part of the state. Neutering will happen - soon - at our regular vet once we go home.
... I'm hoping for some advice. I've tried scuffing him, I've tried time-outs for 2-3 minutes, I've tried a firm "no!" .... I'm honestly close to either having him declawed (trims only last a week max and we can't do them ourselves) or putting him back out on the street or taking him to a shelter.
So.... advice/thoughts? (Pictured is a very spoiled hellion named Sclaimy)
He was adopted a little over 3 months ago and he went from the sweetest thing ever while outside to a hellion inside. I dont mind him rough-housing with the other Male cats. It can sound horrific, but I've always had cats and know it is normal.
But tonight, for the third time, he went from absolutely placid to attacking my face and drawing blood. Tonight, he had played in the sink (he loves water) and then was wrapped in a towel, like he always is when wet. In fact, he purposely jumps into the sink for water time whenever we go in to use the bathroom and then edits by the towel rack for it. He went from completely lax and purring and slow blinks to claws in my skin - which took over an hour to stop bleeding. He has done the same to my sister. He also jumps up and randomly bites at feet, knees, etc. And chases and beats on the 17 year 4 lb ball of fluff female.
He has not been neutered yet. A week after we adopted him, we temporarily transplanted to another part of the state. Neutering will happen - soon - at our regular vet once we go home.
... I'm hoping for some advice. I've tried scuffing him, I've tried time-outs for 2-3 minutes, I've tried a firm "no!" .... I'm honestly close to either having him declawed (trims only last a week max and we can't do them ourselves) or putting him back out on the street or taking him to a shelter.
So.... advice/thoughts? (Pictured is a very spoiled hellion named Sclaimy)