- Joined
- May 7, 2018
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About six weeks ago we adopted an ~18 month old cat from a local shelter. We have no idea what his history was prior to landing in the shelter. He is fixed.
We read a million books and watched a million videos to prepare for his adjustment to life in our home, but it turns out none of them were necessary. He wasn't remotely scared and just immediately wanted access to what was behind every closed door and to explore. He purred and snuggled in our laps from day 1. He seemed like a dream animal.
We had him checked by the vet and he did have Cat Scratch Disease so they put him on a month long regimen of antibiotics that he has just completed. That was his only health issue.
About two weeks in, we got him a GoCat Da Bird cat toy. It's basically a feather on a string. He LOVED this toy and got incredibly excited and aggressive playing with it. We had to put it away in a closet when it was not in use as he'd drag it all over the house and risked strangling himself. He learned to open the closet door where it was stored so we've had to childproof the door handle.
Around this time, his behavior began to change. He got extremely vocal, meowing constantly at the closet where the toy is kept and pacing in front of it. He will get very aggressive 5-6x times during the day, launching himself from hiding places and biting hard at our legs. We can't put our feet on the coffee table anymore because he'll instantly attack them and start biting hard at our toes and feet. In general, unless he is sleeping or being played with, he is crazed, meowling, aggressive and bouncing off the walls.
He will also not allow us to pet him (unless incredibly sleepy), cut his nails, brush him, or anything like that. He will trill as a warning and then bite if you continue.
Here are some of the things we have tried:
* Play sessions. We have FOUR separate self-play toys that he probably plays with 3 hours a day. We also use his Da Bird in active, bonding play for 20 minutes 3x/day. He also has puzzle feeders. Other than Da Bird, he seems to get bored with toys very quickly and his energy for hunting/stalking play is seemingly endless.
* Spray bottles. We use these when we are on the couch and he's attacking our feet. He runs away at first, but honestly I think he actually likes the attention and sees it as a fun game.
* Outdoor tent. He is a 100% indoor cat due to coyotes in our neighborhood. So I bought a large cat tent. He got used to it indoors, so I placed it outdoors and put him in it with toys, blankets that smell like him, food, water and litter. We have tried three 15 minute sessions and they have all ended the same: he tries to rip the tent with his teeth and then starts to pant and hyperventilate (cat anxiety signs) so I bring him back inside.
* Leash. He does not allow us to pet him unless he is on the verge of sleep (trills and bites us), so trying to get the harness on him has been an utter failure. We can't even get his collar on right now. I think he might like walks since he's fearless, if we could manage this.
* Rescue Remedy. I put some in his water. This does seems to make him sleep longer periods, but when he is awake he is still the same cat.
* Feliway - I have some on order. Will try it.
* Giving treats when calm and quiet. I do this every day 3-5 times/day, usually when he is sitting in the window quietly.
* Catnip. He appears to not have the gene for catnip. Catnip items, oils and sticks have no effect on him.
I would be willing to get another cat if it fixed the problem, but I am very concerned that he might be aggressive to another cat as well.
On the plus side, he doesn't spray, is a champion at using his litter box, and eats/drinks perfectly.
Honestly I'm losing my sanity and beginning to think about re-homing him. My legs and arms are shot to hell from all of the biting and I don't know how much more I can take. Please help!!! Thanks in advance.
We read a million books and watched a million videos to prepare for his adjustment to life in our home, but it turns out none of them were necessary. He wasn't remotely scared and just immediately wanted access to what was behind every closed door and to explore. He purred and snuggled in our laps from day 1. He seemed like a dream animal.
We had him checked by the vet and he did have Cat Scratch Disease so they put him on a month long regimen of antibiotics that he has just completed. That was his only health issue.
About two weeks in, we got him a GoCat Da Bird cat toy. It's basically a feather on a string. He LOVED this toy and got incredibly excited and aggressive playing with it. We had to put it away in a closet when it was not in use as he'd drag it all over the house and risked strangling himself. He learned to open the closet door where it was stored so we've had to childproof the door handle.
Around this time, his behavior began to change. He got extremely vocal, meowing constantly at the closet where the toy is kept and pacing in front of it. He will get very aggressive 5-6x times during the day, launching himself from hiding places and biting hard at our legs. We can't put our feet on the coffee table anymore because he'll instantly attack them and start biting hard at our toes and feet. In general, unless he is sleeping or being played with, he is crazed, meowling, aggressive and bouncing off the walls.
He will also not allow us to pet him (unless incredibly sleepy), cut his nails, brush him, or anything like that. He will trill as a warning and then bite if you continue.
Here are some of the things we have tried:
* Play sessions. We have FOUR separate self-play toys that he probably plays with 3 hours a day. We also use his Da Bird in active, bonding play for 20 minutes 3x/day. He also has puzzle feeders. Other than Da Bird, he seems to get bored with toys very quickly and his energy for hunting/stalking play is seemingly endless.
* Spray bottles. We use these when we are on the couch and he's attacking our feet. He runs away at first, but honestly I think he actually likes the attention and sees it as a fun game.
* Outdoor tent. He is a 100% indoor cat due to coyotes in our neighborhood. So I bought a large cat tent. He got used to it indoors, so I placed it outdoors and put him in it with toys, blankets that smell like him, food, water and litter. We have tried three 15 minute sessions and they have all ended the same: he tries to rip the tent with his teeth and then starts to pant and hyperventilate (cat anxiety signs) so I bring him back inside.
* Leash. He does not allow us to pet him unless he is on the verge of sleep (trills and bites us), so trying to get the harness on him has been an utter failure. We can't even get his collar on right now. I think he might like walks since he's fearless, if we could manage this.
* Rescue Remedy. I put some in his water. This does seems to make him sleep longer periods, but when he is awake he is still the same cat.
* Feliway - I have some on order. Will try it.
* Giving treats when calm and quiet. I do this every day 3-5 times/day, usually when he is sitting in the window quietly.
* Catnip. He appears to not have the gene for catnip. Catnip items, oils and sticks have no effect on him.
I would be willing to get another cat if it fixed the problem, but I am very concerned that he might be aggressive to another cat as well.
On the plus side, he doesn't spray, is a champion at using his litter box, and eats/drinks perfectly.
Honestly I'm losing my sanity and beginning to think about re-homing him. My legs and arms are shot to hell from all of the biting and I don't know how much more I can take. Please help!!! Thanks in advance.
Awww.... he's gorgeous. 
