Conference misery::feline

    Hi!  It may be that he is still in kittenhood and isn't reacting
    (obviously) to excitement correctly. Does he do this after you have
    touched or played with him?  He could be getting over stimulated and
    causing this reaction. What a about a good ole neuter job?  Beyond this
    I am afraid I don't have much to offer. Good Luck!
    Karen

    This is a comment regarding the litterbox.  We have 2 boxes and 4 cats. 
    We scoop daily (if we remember) or at least every other day.  There is no
    odor.  I think you could have 1 box and 2 kitties.  If that's your
    husband's only reason for not getting a second cat, that solves that
    problem.  My first cat used be in my lap enjoying being petted, then
    suddenly, bite my hand and run, so I couldn't catch her.  I never
    figured out why she did that, but it doesn't seem as severe as yours. 
    Good luck.
    Steffi                         

    .1 - Karen, there is no pattern with regard to Frankie's behavior.  I
    could see that if there were, it would be slightly more predictable and
    manageable.  Unfortunately, you never know when he's going to turn on
    you.  And I literally mean, turn on you.  One minute, his back is to
    you, maybe cleaning himself, and the next minute you feel a furry body
    with claws and teeth wrapped around one of your appendages.
    
    .2 - Steffi, unfortunately with regard to the litterbox, Michael
    doesn't always get around to scooping on a daily basis.  It has been a
    little better lately since Frankie's been outside a lot.  Michael
    hasn't liked doing litterbox duty since day one.  I also suspect that
    there may be more to his feelings around a second cat than just the
    litterbox.  For example, what guarantee is there that getting a second
    cat will alleviate the problem?
    
    .3 - I'm glad that your friend is able to put up with their cat, but
    Frankie is a true terror.  My in-laws were able to witness his
    attacking behavior this past weekend and were horrified, especially
    with the thought of me trying to out manuever him as my tummy expands
    and worse yet, when the baby arrives.  My mother-in-law was literally
    scared of him, and so am I.  This is not something we want to live with
    and accept.  He hurts us!  That's not acceptable to me or my husband. 
    It's causing a lot of stress, and I don't need that right now. 
    In regards to fleas, I see Frankie scratch only occassionally, and
    there's no sign of infestation.  We try to keep him protected.
    
    Thanks for your responses.  Can anybody offer some solutions?
    
    Thanks!
    
    Lynn
    

    Has Frankie had a thorough examination?  The reason I ask that is
    that your description of his behavior is so extreme.  Perhaps he
    has a hormonal imbalance or something wrong with his brain.
    
    Don't mean to sound so pessimistic but I had a cat who was VERY
    aggressive and drew blood when he attacked our cat Tiffany.  The
    vet found a tumor on his thyroid gland and said that even though
    cats have an extremely high tolerance for pain - when they ARE
    in pain - they act out aggressively.  He was at times very 
    loving but would, it seemed, attack at any time for no apparant
    reason.   Poor baby was suffering!
    
    Good luck,
    
    Marilyn
    

    hi Lynn-
    
    My cat displays Syble like tendancies from time to time and I think it
    is just her purrsonality.  She is sweet and loving on her own terms, 
    and if you don't ask more of what she is capable of dealing with, she's
    great, and I don't get the weird and viscious responses. 
    
    About a year or so ago she started attacking me for no reason, like you
    mewntioned, jumping on my leg and trying to shred my clothers and
    skin.  She wasn't doing it to anyone else, just me.  I felt terrible.
    I took her to the vets for a through checkup, just in case something
    inside might be wrong.  The vet explained that cats have trouble
    dealing with situations they can't control, and they end up acting
    out of context - it depends on each cat. 
    
    We discussed potential changes in her life, and the new neighbors had
    a large outdoor cat and dog (she hates both) and a new house was put
    up in her territory.  I was the one who let her out every day (first
    one up).  so possibly (according to the vet) she was upset over these
    changes and since she was closest to me and I let her out every day
    she was trying to tell me she was upset by ripping my leg apart.
    
    The vet suggested I stop feeding her, petting her, letting her out
    untill her behavior sugests she is dealing with the changes.  Sure
    enough she started looking for me and got more affectionate after a
    week of me ignoring her.  She hasn't tried anything weird since (with
    the exception of her occasional sybel like behavior when provoked).
    
    I know what your going thru because I went through something similar.
    I can only suggest having her checked by the vet first and then try
    some behavior modifications.  Ignore her completely, unless she asks
    for attention....then only give attention for a short time, and stop
    before she starts acting weird.
    
    Is she neutered?  Do you play with your hands or feet.  If so, she may
    think your playing with her.  Only play with toys, a stuffed animal or
    object on a string.  Don't use your hands.  She probably can't
    differentiate between roughhousing and petting.   
    
    Good luck, it can really be stressful trying to figure out a fickle
    feline!
    
    Michele & Syble ....I mean Nippa  :^)

My little girl has also had her own behavior problems. Perhaps not to the
degree of your cat, but simular. When we brought her home at 9 weeks, we kept
her as an in-door only kitty. Got her lots of toys, but she's an only kitty.
A neighbor's kitty would come by to our screen door and she would get so
excited. I know she was lonely, but my husband will only accept one cat. As
Tigger got older she got more aggressive. This is what has worked for us:

Tiger was teething (I found little tiny teeth, every now and then, on the
floor). I've taken an old sock, filled it with paper towels, tied it at the
end, and as soon as she would go for one of our body parts, we gave her the
sock to chomp on. She would bite, kick it, and bite some more. Seemed to
relieve some tension for her.

After work, I take her outside for two hours. And longer on the weekends. This
has *really* calmed her down.

When we play with her, I will not allow her to bite or scratch my hands. No
mousy games with my fingers. 

She's now about six months old. I think that maturing has also helped. Soon
we will be getting her neutered. This may also calm her down a bit.

Good luck to you!
Laura

    .5 and .6 - Interesting comments.  The reason I say so, is because I've
    often joked with my husband that Frankie must have some kind of
    chemical imbalance.  I hadn't thought of a tumor.  Scary thought! 
    We'll be having him fixed sometime next month, maybe then the vet and I
    could talk about our options.
    
    Unfortunately, ignoring Frankie wouldn't work to correct his behavior. 
    As a matter of fact, we could be doing just that, and he'd try to get
    our attention by attacking us.  Then when we do give him the attention
    he seeks, he still attacks.  
    
    We've tried from day one not to use our hands or feet to play with him. 
    Our favorite game is a rolled up piece of paper which we throw down the
    hall, he fetches and returns it to us for another toss.  He loves it! 
    He'll even bring the ball to us from a completely different room when
    he wants us to play with him!
    
    In regards to changes in his life, Frankie exhibited this behavior from
    day one.  Nothing has really changed.  We're hoping that when he's
    fixed that he'll calm down a bit, but the vet said not to expect the
    behavior to disappear, only to diminish slighty.
    
    Thanks for the responses!  Please keep them coming!
    
    Lynn  :)
    

    Actually, it is pretty common for a cat to let you pat him/her and then
    all of a sudden bite you; usually (in adults at least) the bite is
    preceeded by a warning growl. Basicly, when the cat cat growls, s/he
    is telling you that s/he is getting overstimulated, and if the activity
    is not stopped, you will get bit. It is almost an impulse reaction,
    all 10 of my cats act this way, although most nip rather than bite the
    first time.
    
    Deb

    re: .9
    
    Nippa does that too when she has more attention that she can handle.
    She hisses first, then will nip.  She's never bitten though.

    Frankie has never growled.  I've had cats before, and I've experienced
    the scenario you've described (.9).  That's not what Frankie does.  He
    literally ATTACKS!  The only time I've ever heard Frankie growl is when
    he has encountered another animal face to face (and one other time,
    when he saw his full body reflection in a mirror for the very first
    time).  One minute he is purring, and the next he's biting and jumping
    on you.  If you throw him off, he comes right back for me.  Kind of
    like a wrestling with a dog, but you know that dogs are playing. 
    Frankie wants blood!  No hisses, growls, hair on end.  Period.
    
    Lynn
    

    I always notice that when I'm petting Lula and she is about to
    "attack," her tail starts wagging slowly.  She always does this and I
    know to stop petting her 'cause she'll claw and run if I don't.  It's
    weird because Linus doesn't do this at all.  But, he'll claw if you
    touch his belly...you just know with him.
    
    Good luck...
    
    Di & Li & Lu

    This sounds like the way my first (formerly feral) cat behaved.  Yes,
    it's much more substantial an attack than the don't-touch-my-tummy or
    I'm-overstimulated-from-attention attacks.  Several
    vets said "Don't darken my door again with this animal."  Then I found
    a really good vet.  After neutering didn't help, he tried some female
    hormone whose name I forget (began with a P) on a temporary basis, and it
    solved the problem.
    

    A female hormone?  If you could find out the name of it, I'd be
    grateful!  Was your cat male or female?
    
    Frankie is so well behaved when he visits the vet.  Most likely out of
    fear and curiousity.  He really pulls the wool over their eyes!  Sweet
    as can be!  I'm sure you could guess that I don't clip his claws. 
    They'd be imbedded in my face!  Instead, they get done at the vets.  
    
    Maybe Frankie thinks he's a pit-bull!  ;)
    
    Thanks!
    
    Lynn
                                                                         

    It sounds like Ovaban (which is a brand name; I think that there is
    a similar brand called something like Proban which is more common on
    the west coast.
    
    Deb

    My cat was male.
    

    Deja vu!   Tigger, our fixed male kitty, gave slashs that needed 
    stiches.  His problam was too much male hormone (refer to note .15).  
    We also had to learn to handle him in a way that suited him.  For 
    example, we couldn't hold him across his chest or smooth him traveling 
    from head to tail, we can now though.  We consulted with a vet that 
    knew something about cat psychology and it was worth it.  After a 
    couple of years Tigger became the sweetest most loving kitty ever.  
    He seemed to be glad that he could enjoy being petted without flying 
    into a rage.  We did, however, have to give him three courses of
    ovaban over those two years.  Just call him Mr. Macho.
    
    With Charlie, we made a "sleeve/mitten" from the leg of an old pair of 
    jeans sandwiched between terry toweling and everytime he became agressive
    we put on the sleeve and attacked back.  After he worked out what ever
    was bugging him he would calm down.  We can't do that with Chistopher
    though, he just becomes more aggressive.  But time is showing that he's 
    growing out of it, and is much better. 

    Pussycat (my cat treated with the Ovaban(?)) turned into a complete
    love also.
    

    
    Hi Lyn,
    
    When I read your note I thought I was reading about my cat Floyd.  We
    have described him to people as being schizophrenic as he can be so
    affectionate and loving one minute yet attack you the next.
    
    There is no pattern to his behaviour though if he has been outside and
    had an encounter with another cat he always attacks me as I am bringing
    him in.
    
    Like Frankie he never makes a sound when attacking.  I have never
    heard him hiss or spit though if he is attacking another cat he growls
    constantly.  The only warning we have are that his eyes turn very black
    just before he attacks.
    
    He usually goes for our arms however on several occasions he has
    attacked my head and once three days before I got married he attacked
    my face and put a two inch scratch down my cheek.
    
    Again like Frankie his favourite past time is fetching.  We have foam
    balls the size of a golf ball and he would let you throw it all night
    for him.  He drops it at your feet and if you don't pick it up he will
    jump up with it and drop it in your lap.
    
    We have tried various punishments however he seems to enjoy them more
    than anything else and they have no effect.  When he was younger he ate
    tinned cat food which I found was full of additives so I changed him
    onto Iams which he loves however this had no effect on his behaviour.
    
    My uncle is a vet and he is of the opinion that it is his personality
    and there is nothing we can do to change that, however he does feel that
    he will grow out of it in time.
    
    Now the good news.  Floyd is 18 months old and in the last two months
    we have noticed a big difference in him.  He has calmed down alot and
    is attacking less and less.  He has also become more affectionate more
    frequently.
    
    We can only put this down to his age as there have been no other
    changes in our domestic scene.
    
    I know that I have not been able to offer you much constructive advise
    in this note but I hope it helps to know that there are other people in
    the same situation.
    
    We are thinking of getting another kitten but are a bit wary of Floyd's
    reaction so have not come to a decision yet.  We love Floyd to bits and
    could never part with him.
    
    Please let us know how Frankie is progressing and don't give up hope as
    I do believe that his behaviour will improve as he grows out of being a
    kitten.
    
    Kirsty
    
                              

    Well, I'll tell ya....Casey has been known to be...er...
    cranky at times.  He can be a real sweetheart, but he
    does bite when annoyed.  Anyway, last night I took all 6
    cats to the vet for rabies/distemper and physicals, etc.
    Casey has been having a bout of his asthma, and the 2 outdoor
    cats needed the shots and one had earmites, so what the heck
    we all went! (even hubby!)  Casey got so PO'ed about the whole
    thing, that he had to be placed in a cardboard carrier by himself,
    as he attacked poor Rusty!  He wandered around the house last night,
    yowling and hissing at every cat he saw!  He even let me have it too,
    as I was the bad guy who took him to the vet! (;  He's still grumbling
    this morning, too!
    Now I know why cats survive in spite of the living conditions when they
    are strays!  Moochie's ears were enough to gag a maggot!  The crap that
    came out, UGH!  Her teeth were worked on, and she is a young cat, about
    2-3.  She and Dominique had to be wrapped in a blanket to be worked on,
    Mooch being so timid, and Nique being such a B*tch!!!!  Nique is 
    about 2-4, by her teeth.  Pepper, the one I thought would be the
    easiest, let the vet have it good in his struggle to escape!
    
    And, of course, the vet asked my husband if we would like more!
    They have 6 stray kittens/cats looking for homes...
    
    Lynne
    

    I'd like to thank you all for your responses!  I spoke with Frankie's
    vet about the Ovuban(?), and she hasn't used it, but gave me the name
    of a doctor from Tufts who just completed a study on behavioral
    problems in cats.  I'll let you know what he has to say.  In the
    meantime, the vet said to bring Frankie in early for the old snip-snip
    job.  My husband dropped him off this morning.  I'll keep you all
    posted on his progress and behavior.
    
    Thanks again!
    
    Lynn
    

    Well, Frankie has now been altered...physically anyway.  The vet said
    to expect him to be groggy when we got him home, but no way.  He was
    pretty much back to normal.  A little clutzy maybe, but he was quite
    alert and raring to go.  We're trying to minimize his activity for a
    week, per vet's orders, but it seems that if we don't distract him by
    playing ball with him, he's back to attack mode.  We'll wait a month or
    so to see if he calms down.  I also have yet to call the Doctor from
    Tufts.  Once I do, I'll let you know what he had to say.
    
    Lynn
    

    
    
    
    Lynn,
    
    I mentioned in 405.19 that we were considering getting a kitten but
    were worried about Floyd's behaviour.  Well we took the plunge two
    weeks ago and got a seven week old female tabby who we have called
    Elsa.
    
    The difference in Floyd is unbelievable.  He has not attacked us since
    she arrived.
    
    She took over from the moment she entered the house spitting and
    hissing at Floyd whenever he got too close.  They have now progressed
    to sleeping together and he washes her from top to toe.
    
    There are times when the playing gets a bit rough but not out of
    control.  We definately made the right decision.
    
    I know you say your husband does not want another cat but maybe in your
    case two will be easier than one !