Hi! I'm new to the site and I figured this would be the best way to get advice about my cat. I'm sorry in advance for the length of this post... My cat's name is Jaga, he's a year and half old, and has recently (week and half ago) been neutered. He was not previously neutered because of money issues. I was forced to neuter him though when he attacked my dog and, when I tried to intervene, attacked me (in a slight sense of the word).
Starting off, my dog Bear is a German Shepard mix at about 45 pounds. He is very sweet and gentle with the cat, since he was raised with one when he was younger... He understands and adheres to the commands "gentle" and has always been that way. Bear is 5 yrs old and really doesn't play much with the cat. He's passed the puppy stage I guess. He is also male. About 4 weeks ago, the cat started doing this low growling/meowing sound that sounds like something out of Pet Cemetary
He had done that before but just while walking around the house, and maybe only 2-3 times. This time, he did it when I brought in a new cat house for him and placed it in his litter box room. Bear poked his head in the door of the room and Jaga started. He got low to the ground and stalked toward Bear. I started saying Hey and the cat howled and attacked Bear. I'm not sure why, but Bear did not fight back. He tried to run/get away. The cat's howling, biting, clawing and Bear's trying to retreat and yipping. I don't know what to do so I think if I clap and yell that would startle the cat out of it. To no avail. I push a box toward them and the cat just jumps over it and continues to pursue Bear. Then I push another box toward him (I had brought in Christmas presents and some were in boxes) and get a little close. This time, I get his attention. I'm standing up and he jumps at me. He claws me and then goes back at Bear. By this time, I'm bleeding pretty bad. Finally, I got a broom and squirt bottle. I tracked them to my dining room and the cat was meowing at Bear, who was in the corner, trying not to look at the cat. I squirted the cat and backed him away from Bear. Once I got Jaga to retreat with the water and broom threat, then I got Bear to come and we retreated to my bedroom. The cat finally followed us and meowed/growled outside the door. Jaga eventually calmed down and went to other parts of the house. I seperated the animals and herded the cat into the extra room with the broom. I got rid of the cat house, thinking that was it and it was territorial issues.
Jaga was fine for about 5 days, even while being around Bear and sleeping on the bed with us like normal. Then he struck again. This time, he pierced Bear's ear through and through and yanked a chunk of hair from his skin. Bear again did not fight back but just tried to get away. I was able to intervene pretty quickly with my Swiffer pointed at the cat. (He gets freaked out by any broom, mop, vacuum, etc.) Since then, the cat has been neutered and I have been seperating him and Bear. I plan on declawing Jaga ASAP, as soon as financially doable. Unfortunately, this whole episode has taken a toll out of all of us, including me. I have anxiety anyway, and if the cat acts odd one day while I'm visiting with him in his room, I come close to a panic attack. Jaga has also hissed at me while cleaning his litter box since this whole situation so I'm afraid that it's not over. My big question is, "What do I DO????" I really want to let Jaga roam and not keep him in the back room all the time. I do visit with him and let him out while Bear is outside. I can continue this but I don't see it in Jaga's best interest. I'm trying to calm myself down for the sake of the animals which are as close to children as I can get at this point in my life. It is only me and them in the house and I really want it to be reletively peaceful. I cannot afford emotionally, physically, and financially to have another fight. Please, any suggestions are welcome!
Starting off, my dog Bear is a German Shepard mix at about 45 pounds. He is very sweet and gentle with the cat, since he was raised with one when he was younger... He understands and adheres to the commands "gentle" and has always been that way. Bear is 5 yrs old and really doesn't play much with the cat. He's passed the puppy stage I guess. He is also male. About 4 weeks ago, the cat started doing this low growling/meowing sound that sounds like something out of Pet Cemetary
Jaga was fine for about 5 days, even while being around Bear and sleeping on the bed with us like normal. Then he struck again. This time, he pierced Bear's ear through and through and yanked a chunk of hair from his skin. Bear again did not fight back but just tried to get away. I was able to intervene pretty quickly with my Swiffer pointed at the cat. (He gets freaked out by any broom, mop, vacuum, etc.) Since then, the cat has been neutered and I have been seperating him and Bear. I plan on declawing Jaga ASAP, as soon as financially doable. Unfortunately, this whole episode has taken a toll out of all of us, including me. I have anxiety anyway, and if the cat acts odd one day while I'm visiting with him in his room, I come close to a panic attack. Jaga has also hissed at me while cleaning his litter box since this whole situation so I'm afraid that it's not over. My big question is, "What do I DO????" I really want to let Jaga roam and not keep him in the back room all the time. I do visit with him and let him out while Bear is outside. I can continue this but I don't see it in Jaga's best interest. I'm trying to calm myself down for the sake of the animals which are as close to children as I can get at this point in my life. It is only me and them in the house and I really want it to be reletively peaceful. I cannot afford emotionally, physically, and financially to have another fight. Please, any suggestions are welcome!