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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Fear aggressive newly neutered stray male cat
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Question
We saved a unneutered male cat with a bite on his leg 6 weeks ago. Had him neutered and medicated for infection and tested felv neg. first test. We must keep him downstairs until the next 3 month felv test because senior cat upstairs is not inoculated. He is very very lovable and then late afternoon he gets freaky and aggressive. His fear seems to be the creaking floors above him as we walk around. He climbs the poles and throws himself against the wall in anger or fear. We tried feliway and now he is worse. We're waiting for the scent to go away. Do you have any suggestions to get the loveable cat he is back. He has bitten me 2 times in fright. We cannot bring him upstairs until the next felv test in October. Thank you.
Janet,
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The cat is probably used to being outside in the evenings to hunt. A previously outside cat does not take well to being locked up.
I would speak to another vet about keeping the cat separated until his 2nd test. That sounds excessive.
You can get a cat cage/dog crate for under $100 at Petco and put the cat outside in it. That may make him happier. I am including a photo of the cage I use when I'm 'cat sitting'. It works out well.
For hunter type cats you need to re-create a hunting environment inside if they can't go outside. I get beef ribs from the grocery store and have the butcher cut them in half. The cats get the thrill of a 'fresh kill' plus the fibers in the meat helps clean their teeth.
I would get little stuffed furry white mice for him to 'catch' and pull a shoestring around to chase.
You can speak to a vet about giving the cat 'kitty Prozac'. It is commonly used to calm cats that are upset, stressed, or have emotional problems.
I hope this helps.
Tabbi
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| Comment | Thank you he has mellowed some bit since the feliway scent has gone. I will try your suggestions. If all else fails I'll go the kittie prozac way when I take him to the vets for his blood work. | ||
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Dear Tabbi
Expertise
My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
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Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
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