Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/17/2008

Question
I have a cat that is about 1-1 1/2 years old that my brother in Chicago gave me, which he picked up from his apartment complex.  He knew the previous owners and they must have moved and abandoned him.  We got him shots at the vet and clipped his claws a couple of times.  The main issue is that he will attack my children unprovoked, especially my four year old son.  He still has scars from months ago on his shoulders and chest.  My eight year daughter got her ears pierced yesterday and last night he jumped up and bit her ear.  I grew up with literally dozens of cats in the country down in Louisiana, but they mostly stayed outdoors.  We let them in when they wanted to come in, but what cat wouldn't want to hunt down field mice, rats and lizards out in the country?  My point is that I've never had a cat this defiant and just attacked without provocation.  We put him in the finished basement with the two rabbits at night and after he attacks anyone.  He definitely does not want to be in the basement, although he has access to his food, water, and litter boxes there.  When we let the rabbits run around, he attacks them as if they were giant mice.  We don't want to get rid of him, because despite his attacks on them, the children love him.  How can one control a cat this wild?  Declawing is ok, but he can and will bite.  And what if he gets outside again?  He needs his claws for such an incident.  We live in the city in Milwaukee and he got out one night and didn't come back until exactly a week later at about 4:30 in the morning and he lost some weight and got pretty sick for a few days that got us worried.  He did act the same way before he was gone for a week, by the way.  Can you help us?

Answer
John,

Do not declaw!

You don't mention if he is neutered or not. If he isn't, you should get him done soon. H may be attacking out of frustration, and that could be why he disappeared.

It sounds like he does not like being an inside cat. If he is neutered I would let him out to go hunt so he won't hunt yours or your children's body parts.

An animal also behaves in that manner if he is in pain. You may want to have a checkup done on him by a vet to rule out a medical issue causing his behavior rather than it being a behavioral problem.

Getting him a kitty friend about his age sometimes helps that kind of behavior too. A cat needs a friend to chase, play kitty games with, and be company and comfort for him when he is alone.

It is a personal decision of course, but there are so many loving, sweet cats at shelters that are going to be put down due to overcrowding and being unwanted that your children can love also (and who will love them) than to try to have a cat that can harm or be a danger to you or your family.

Tabbi