At the end of my rope...

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2004
At the end of my rope...
5
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 11:17am
We have a 9-month old cat named Sammy whom we have had since she was 6 weeks old. About a week after we had her, Sammy started to bite. Most of her bites are what we call "warning" bites, which we characterize as no blood being drawn- just a quick nip. But, some of her bites are malicious where she will lock into your skin and not let go. Both my husband and I have scars from these bites. We don't understand why she does it- we do not mistreat her in any way and there are times where she can be very affectionate, but you never know when she will go from purring away as you pet her to chomping down on your arm. By the way, her behavior is MUCH worse with strangers! All the techs at our vet's office are petrified of Sammy. We've tried water squirting and depriving her of attention whenever she bites, but her behavior doesn't change. I think it may have gotten a little better with age, but we are still getting bit at least once a day. I am at the end of my rope. We would like to get another cat in hopes that maybe playing with another animal will work out some of her energy, but I'm also genuinely afraid that Sammy may kill it.
We would like to think about starting a family, and we are almost certain that Sammy will pose a danger to an infant. No one else in this world is willing to take her (do you blame them?) and I have grown attached to her and don't want to get rid of her, but this has to stop. I'm tired of always being afraid of a little cat. Not to mention that she has several other bad behaviors (we have to put her in another room when we eat or she will just eat right off our plates) that I can't even begin to work on because I'm afraid to give her too much information to process at one time and to me, the biting is the most important issue.
Our vet did recommend an animal behaviorist, but I'm not sure if it will be a waste of money. Is Sammy unsaveable? Are we bad "parents"? (Sorry so long!)
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 12:15pm

{{{hugs Tina}}} Hang in there, your cat wasn't sent by the Devil. She is just acting like an energetic kitten. Believe it or not, one of the best things you could do to ease the situation is too get another cat. All that energy that is being released on you and your hubbie will be directed at the new cat. But you will have to do the introductions in the correct way. Our community leaders here at Cats will be able to give you the link to the webpage that contains the info on proper feline introductions.

In the meantime, having regular play sessions with your kitty will help burn off some of that energy. Two a day may be what you need. Sammy sounds like a very energetic girl!

Our CLs will have more suggestions. Just hang in there! Your kitty will get better.

Bridgett, Badness, Scrappy and Tucker

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 2:36pm
I agree that another kitty may very well help


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 4:11pm

Hi Tinaa456. *Welcome* to Cats.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-2003
Sun, 12-05-2004 - 12:19pm
I have a cat at my work- Hope, who was abandoned around valentines day of last year. She stays in one of the offices because she can't be in the public cat rooms because shes bitten more than 3 people and drawn blood. Hope is very friendly she'll purr and climb in your lap and even drool! : ) BUT.... she gets over stimulated and bites- hard! That sounds to me what your cat is doing- besides attacking strangers! Usually when cats "play bite" they don't draw blood. If Sammy is getting overstimulated by petting him, it's really not his fault- it's invoulintary- but I don't know how you could keep him from biting a baby if you start a family. Maybe a behaviourist would be able to help - but I would go to the think like a cat board first!

Danielle and her furbabies....                         &nb

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2003
Mon, 12-06-2004 - 8:19am

Oh, I absolutely second that -- head over to the Think Like a Cat board and post the problem in the top section (Questions), and with any luck Pam Johnson Bennett will be able to help you out. She deals with that sort of thing all the time, and I think she's actually "in" currently (as opposed to travelling).

Hope to see you there, and best of luck with Sammy!

Penelope