Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/30/2008

Question
Okay,I have a cat that was rescued when it was maybe 2 or 3 weeks old.  She, along with her littermates, had been left in a stifeling hot bathroom at a state park.  Anyway, we took the runt of the litter.  I could go on forever about her condition, but that's not the point, so I will move on.  :-)

We have babied this cat since the moment we got her. We bottle fed her, cleaned up after her, hugged her, etc..  She was never mistreated in even the smallest of ways--but she is sooooo mean!  We had her declawed, but we can't have her "de'toothed'".  

She attacks everything in sight--and loves biting ankles and legs as you walk across the floor.  She hurts too.  It's not just overzealous playfullness.  Sometimes, she really lays those ears back and goes to town.  Our entire family bears the scratches to prove it.  She draws blood on a regular basis--even though we have tried to curtail the behavior by putting her in the "penalty box" aka the guest bathroom when she does it.

What is wrong with her?  Someone told me it is because she is a calico.  She's not your stereotypical calico, though.  She is more tortoise shell.  She looks as if she was put together with spare parts.  She is predominately black with very little carmel, except for one strip on her neck.  She is brindled in pattern.  She has a face only a mother could love!

We adore her, but we have NEVER had a cat behave the way she does.  What can we do?  And is there any truth to the "tortoise shell means trouble" saying?

Answer
Heather,

Too bad you had her declawed. That in itself can cause permanent emotional problems. Plus being a tortie she is a natural born hunter and since she can't go outside to hunt she is hunting your ankles and legs. A hunter cat needs the stimulation of the hunt inside.

Some suggestions:

Give her raw beef rib bones periodically. I have the butcher at the grocery store cut them in half. The meat will give her the feeling of a 'fresh kill' plus the fibers in the meat help clean the teeth.

Get a gerbil cage (keep it secure with a bungee cord) and get some mice for her to watch and try to catch. That will keep her amused. The mice (or lizards, etc.) get used to the cats being around and don't pay attention to them after awhile.

Get a cat video for her to watch. My cats LOVE them. Here is where I got mine: http://petsittervideos.com/index.html

Get her a kitty friend about the same age and temperment. Cats need a friend to play kitty games with, snuggle with, and be company and companionship when they are alone. A single cat has a tendency to be more distructive, and attention-getting. Having two cats keep the pressure off of you to keep them amused.

Get some furry white stuffed mice that you can throw that she can 'catch'. Drag a shoestring around for her to chase. Get a kitty condo where she can sit on it and look out the window at birds, etc. Put a bird feeder out the window.

Harness train her and let her go outside to hunt...even if it's only a leaf. Here is a link on how to train them:
http://www.hdw-inc.com/leashtraining.htm

Have a folded newspaper handy or carry one when you think the cat is going to attack your leg. Whap her, or your leg, with the newspaper when she goes for your leg to scare her, and at the same time loudly say "NO LEGS!" That is so she can associate the scaring and loud voice with your leg. Make sure to wait a few minutes then love on her. You want her to be scared to attack your leg but NOT to be scared of you!

Also, is she spayed? That would help settle her down. Behavior problems are often signs of illness or pain. It is important for a cat with an aggression problem to be examined by a vet. This is especially important for adult cats that suddenly become aggressive. Ear infections, abscessed teeth, etc. can cause aggression.

I hope this gives you some ideas. Be firm and consistant to break her of the leg and ankle attacking, but give her something else to occupy and interest her instead.

Tabbi