CAT ATTACK-Can we trust him anymore?

First the facts.
Male
Age. 2 years
Fixed? No
Claws? Yes
Shots? Pretty sure all

As a kitten this cat was exposed to and quite possibly given marijuana. He was also most likely abused. He has always been somewhat skiddish but warms up quickly. We have had him for about a year and a half. He is in a secure home environment. He receives lots of love, plenty of food, treats and a clean litter box. Twice in the last month and a half he has attacked for no known reason. Both times he has drawn blood. He is NOT attempting to play. The first time was a visitor in the living room. Last night it was the 18 year old daughter (his owner) in the bathroom. He just does a wyeeeeer, wyeeeer, ATTACK. In both cases it was just everyday life, no stress, no arguing, just everyday life. Anyone have any ideas. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

I don't know I would check to see if there where any common factors between the two attacks. It cold be a smell or an action that set him off. My cat has done this a couple of times to me and I know there was no trauma when she was a kitten. It fixed it quick by every time she would attack I grabbed he and wrapped her in a blanket or towel so she couldn't move until she was calm. After about 4 times of doing this she stopped attacking people.

edit: I didn't smother her with the towel I wrapped her up with her head out and I talked to her in a calm voice and rubed on her till she callmed down.

 

Are you planning on having him fixed? I'm sure the whirl of hormones isn't helping......and no matter how much love an abused animal is given, there may be certain things that will always "set him off".....whatever you do, the worst thing would be to give up on him : (

 

Didn't see that he wasn't fixed... that will help TONS. If you can't afford to do it. Some shelters and vets do it for free.

 

Thanks everyone. Getting him fixed is what we were thinking too. He's such a trim, fit little thing we were hoping not to have to do it. As long as he's there the claws will go also. If he does decide to freak out again at least the claws won't be there to do any damage. I really love this place and all you people. You're like family, plus I don't have to dread that Aunt that always feels the need to pinch my cheeks.

 

Yeah I would fix him....some cats have a tendency to balloon out (weight wise) when you fix them...but some stay trim. I too agree with drumminmama on the declaw....it's not very fair and may lead to more mental issues....I wouldn't want my fingernails pulled off : (

Is he an "only cat"??? Maybe he is looking for feline stimulation....it seems like an aggressive thing...and I know my male cats once in awhile get into "rumble mode" where they like to rough play with each other....tumbling through the living room like crazy tumble weeds! hehe.

And we love you too!!!! : )

 

I had a cat like that... she would just bite for no reason. We figure she had something wrong with her mentally. My sister found her on the side of the road when she was a couple of months old and brought her home. So most likely she had had a hard life. We always took good care of her.. But, it was just like something was wrong with her.. She would come up to you purring, rubbing on you and wanting you to pet her, but when you did she would (for no apparent) reason just start growling and hissing. She would often bite, but she wouldn't ever draw blood.

Don't know what was up with her.. but she was such a good cat. She isn't as bad now as she used to be, we let her have a litter of kittens then we fixed her, and it calmed her down a lot.. but she still does it. My sister always said that she had a chemical imbalance. Don't know if that was it or what.

 

Epona, Yes he is an "only cat". This seems to be just out of the blue attack. Both times it has been to the persons face. The poor daughter is walking around today feeling like she has an orange hanging from her lower lip (lower left inner lip, about a quarter inch long and from what I saw last night, deep). Even though I fully understand the issues I don't really see how I can afford to leave the claws. Next time it could be an eye. I am responsible for his actions. I am trying to live a simpler life. The last thing I need is a lawsuit.

 

My cat went through a super agressive phase, and the vet recommended a mild calming drug. Might seem a bit extreme, but it might help. Talk to your vet when you are in getting him fixed... see what the vet thinks.

First thing I would try would be getting him snipped. It really does help. Next thing would be to see if you can get to the root of what is causing him to get unhinged.

Ever heard of "soft paws"? They are soft caps that you glue over the cats existing nails. When the nail grows out the caps fall off and you just glue a new one on. These did wonders for my cat when his claws were troublesome, and also saved my cat have to undergo the equivilent of having his fingers cut off at the first knuckle junction.


Here is the link to the soft paws website so you can read up on it. Its not ideal, but it worked for us. Also, when they are no longer needed, they just grow out and your cat is back to normal. http://www.softpaws.com/

 

One step at a time.....get him fixed and try some calming herbs or the Bach RR as druminmama suggested....see how he comes around.....your problems may then be solved.

Also, just a trick to try when he starts "getting his Irish up" haha as we call it in our home....when he starts going into attack mode and doing the growley hiss thing....have whoever is about to receive his wrath stand up and put their arms up in the air with palms flat out like a stop sign towards him and firmly say NO! NO!....it makes you appear bigger and may make him decide to back off and rethink what he is about to do.....or it could piss him off more.....so be prepared for anything....silly kitties.

 

I agree get him altered. And also if someone is playing fight games with him stop that at once...it's cute when they are kittens but it teaches them that agression is acceptable. Altering won't make him fat unless he was disposed to being a fat cat to begin with. And it doesn't sound like he is.

 

Sorry didn't mean to leave you all hanging. We're taking him to get fixed today (Tues.) Thanks everyone for your help. Hope this works.