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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

1040.0. "PSYCHO KITTY" by EXPRES::JORDAN () Wed Jan 13 1988 20:24

    I HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP ME!!
    ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS AGO I GOT A KITTEN, I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAT BEFORE
    AND I'M NOT QUIT SURE HOW TO TRAIN ONE..... TO MAKE A LONG STORY
    SOME WHAT SHORTER..... SAM TENDS TO TERRORISE EVERYONE BUT ME.
    IF ANYONE IS WALKING IN THE APARTMENT HE ATTACKS THEM FROM BEHIND...
    HE HIDES BEHIND THE COUCH AND ATTACKS POEPLE WHILE THEY ARE JUST
    SITTING WATCHING T.V.. I'VE TRIED THE SQUIRT BOTTLE AS I'VE SEEN
    SUGGESTED IN OTHER NOTES BUT HE DOESN'T SEEM TO MIND IT ANY MORE.
    IS HE JUST BEING A KITTEN?  WILL HE CALM DOWN AS HE GETS OLDER?
    OR DO I HAVE A PSYCHO KITTY?
    
    DJ
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1040.1Tabby outgrew itPARITY::WHALENAnd may the traffic be with youWed Jan 13 1988 20:5723
       My Tabby was like that when he was a kitten, he loved to attack
    me. In fact he'd make a game of it, charging from one end of the
    house to another, peeking out from behind the furniture, and then
    zooming across again. He'd launch himself at my legs as I walked
    by, sometimes giving me some good scratches. He did outgrow it
    quickly though, I didn't mind him forgetting about attacking me,
    but I did miss the games.
       You didn't mention how much play time he gets or if he goes 
    outside at all. Maybe he just needs some rough play time. My Tabby
    liked to play a lot of rough games when he was real young. In all
    the cats I've had in my life, I've never seen another one who liked
    to "roughhouse" it so much! Just his personality I guess. But he
    still outgrew it anyway. 
        If he is hurting people though, he should be scolded, I always
    encouraged TAbby to keep his claws in, but I was the only one he
    ever attacked anyway, so it didn't matter too much. I would say
    just make sure he gets out his energy in appropriate game and play time
    and not on other people's legs.  
        I take it he must already be 8-10 months old anyway, so he may
    outgrow it soon, especially once he's altered.
    
                                           Denise
    
1040.2CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren, Sweetie, Holly; in Calif.Wed Jan 13 1988 21:229
    
    I'm not sure if you're talking about kitten highjinks, "play" attacks
    due to boredom (does he need a kitty friend or more playtime with
    you?), symptoms of insecurity, or if Sam is really out to get folks.
     If the latter, note 908 and its replies has some suggestions that
    you may find useful.
    
    P.S. All uppercase notes make my ears hurt.
    
1040.3needs to PLAY...30752::WILDEImagine all the people..Thu Jan 14 1988 04:264
Suggestion:

get a companion kitten from the local shelter so he has someone his own
size to play with...it'll probably help.
1040.4Sounds familiar31093::WASHEnjoying the experienceThu Jan 14 1988 12:0632
    If you can afford to have another Kitpanion, indulge in one for
    your cat - you might enjoy two more than one anyway. I ended up
    getting a companion for the cat I "rescued" from the Humane Society,
    and I am VERY pleased that I have 2 cats instead of one. The companion
    may help your cat.
    
    However, some cats are just psycho-kittys, my roommate's cat (before
    he tried to attack the wrong thing - a moving car) was such a kitty.
    Through his cat's 7 years, he terrorized any living creature. He
    was a killer cat, lining up the kills of the day at the doorway
    for display. (Mice, birds and such). Cats are, after all, one of
    nature's finest predators - your cat's predatory instincts may just
    be predominant.
    
    Sylvester (the Killer Cat) was a "pain" in that he might decide
    to scratch you at any given time, but he was gentle enough if you
    were careful where you touched him and how you handled him. I was
    never too thrilled with Sylvester's interaction with my two cats
    since he dominated and terrorized them as well - but I missed him
    (and still do) when he met his end. I missed the weekly lineups,
    the air of The Conqueror that he held, the lack of gopher activity
    in the yard, the defiance of my roommates dogs, the overall sense
    of supremacy Sylvester exuded.
    
    Your cat may grow to be one of those supreme hunters, the proud
    feline prowling in the trees .... or he may be more domesticated
    as he grows older - I would say just nurture and love him as much
    as you can, his bond to you will surely grow - you have a unique
    personality in your pet, it's just a matter of time to determine
    what that personality will become.
                                      
    Enjoy it!!                           Marvin
1040.5Thanks for the help!EXPRES::JORDANThu Jan 14 1988 14:3211
    RE.1
         Hi,
            As a point of fact Sam does not go outside.... and from
    what I have heard from my Vet. he will live longer if he is a house
    cat.  From the responces I have read ... it looks as if Sam is just
    being a kitten.  I think that I'll try giving him a bit more rough
    play.... it may tire him out a bit.  Then again.... he'll be going
    to be "fixed" next month.  I don't think an additional cat would
    be wise..... it's hard enough hiding one from the landlord.
    thank you all for the advice and reassurement!!
    DJ