Partners Cat is Mental

Horizon81

Fosterdog wrote: »

Maybe I've missed it, but I don't think I've seen in the post whether the cat has been neutered or not?

So far you don't seem to want anyone giving helpful suggestions but just want to find a way to get rid of "it".

Also, I would trust a vet with medical advice but not with dietary or behavioural advice, they have very little training in these areas which is why there are specialists in dealing with these things so a second opinion would be worth it. It's the same as a human GP knows a little bit about a lot of things but for a specific problem we get a referral to an expert. Vets are no different.

Thanks for the constructive post So if I avoid the vet for behavioural matters, who do you go to? She has insurance so is that worth a try? Do they have cat behavioural specialists?

Fosterdog

Have you tried a feliway diffuser? http://www.feliway.co.uk

It is a natural product and has a calming effect on cats. What tablets did the vet recommend?

You are busy worrying about children that don't yet exist, if this cat is not very sociable then there is a good chance that it won't want to go anywhere near a baby or child. I grew up in a multi-cat household and one cat was a bit antisocial and he avoided me and my brothers when we were young.

We were also taught to not go near him or tease him, my one brother tried once and got a scram to tell him off, the rest of us never tried. Our family coped perfectly well with the situation.

You are saying no other fella would put up with it but she obviously loves the cat so do you want to give her a reason to find out if another man would be more tolerant?

You are being incredibly selfish, several people have made recommendations (extra toys and playtime, behaviourists etc.) and you don't seem to want to know. If you loved her that much you would make the effort to help with the cats issues.

Fosterdog

try this website http://www.apbc.org.uk under shop there are a list of books you could try as well as info about getting a vet referral. Check what insurance cover she has for him, it may cover a behaviourist too.

There is also http://www.vickyhalls.net

Horizon81

Thanks again Fosterdog. We have toys like the string with something on the end of it. It likes to play. It just doesnt seem to know when enough is enough. I can be sitting on the couch and it will jump up on my lap - it then looks at your hands and cos she knows it so well she can tell by its eyes, head movements and tail movements if it's going to bite. Most cats would only claw or bite furniture or a toy whereas this cat looks at your fingers like they're a toy. So much so you really daren't move when its beside you in case it mistakes your finger for a toy and goes for it. I have managed to stroke i but its a loose cannon. I could understand if it was being goaded or given no attention, but neither of these is the case. You can pet it then it will walk away, then 5 mins later it can come back and jump on her arm and sink its teeth in. Very sporadic.

I don't want to come across so dismissive but I do think unborn children are a relevant point. You have to think about the future! And lets just say I'm not the first partner of hers to experience this cat. Even her own family are extremely cautious of it. What's strange is it's her who he bites hardest and most, not her partner(s).

nw_mum

Ignore the negative advice, I have a friend whose cat suddenly changed his behaviour . One day he didn't want to go in the garden anymore which he had been doing for 7 years. He attacked her elderly mother while she was on bed rest also hissing at carers. I suggested water , spraying small amounts at a time , so far he has hid under bed every time minus hissing.

Fluff15

Somebody mentioned it before but I don't know if you picked up on it - have you tried a water spray bottle? When he bites or goes for you, a quick squirt and he should soon learn to stop.

EDIT: oh, another water suggestion! I was typing as that was posted!

Horizon81

I'll get to argos for a supersoaker. Joking! To be honest I'd rather not wait to get bitten/clawed before I spray him but I suppose on the occasions he looks set to pounce a quick spray wont hurt.

Thing was, the attack that provoked me to write this post was totally unprovoked. Totally out of the blue. And you know how fast cats can be so would have not had time to get the water spray out. It makes me mad just re-living the moment he bit her. Isn't the first law of the jungle that you don't bite the hand that feeds you.

And coming back to the PTS query. Maybe I've spent too much time in the company of hunters/country folk but it's certainly a quick solution to what is a 4 year problem. Then chance our luck with another more placid cat. In my eyes life's to short to spend time and money rehabilitatiing something that you can never ever trust.

jungle_jane

nw_mum wrote: »

Ignore the negative advice, I have a friend whose cat suddenly changed his behaviour . One day he didn't want to go in the garden anymore which he had been doing for 7 years. He attacked her elderly mother while she was on bed rest also hissing at carers. I suggested water , spraying small amounts at a time , so far he has hid under bed every time minus hissing.

A bit off topic - sorry Horizon - but I would suggest that your friend takes this cat to the vet and gets its eyesight checked to see if it has gone blind/lost most of his sight....

Celli

Well it looks like you've already made your mind up that the cats to be PTS, so I'm a bit puzzled as to why you bothered posting to ask for advice, perhaps you thought you'd get lots of people agreeing with you so you could use that to persuade your partner.

For the record, there are cat behaviourist and depending on the insurance policy, it may well pay out for one, but asking a vet about behaviour problems is akin to asking your dr for psychiatric advice, you just wouldn't do it.

Horizon81

Celli wrote: »

For the record, there are cat behaviourist and depending on the insurance policy, it may well pay out for one, but asking a vet about behaviour problems is akin to asking your dr for psychiatric advice, you just wouldn't do it.

I agree. I think vets just see the pound signs hence them recommending tablets to calm him down. Oh yes and you stay on these tablets for life. Surely you must agree a lifetime on the cat happy pills is not a solution. Who wants a stoned cat walking round the house all the time. That's no life for it.

And I knew I'd get a load of cat lovers but thought i might find a gold bullet (excuse the pun!). Hey at least 1 person agreed with me. Ideally we'd re-home him but who on earth would want him? I couldn't lie to any potential owner/cats home.