Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/suddenly aggressive

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/21/2008


Question
My 5 year old cat Pepper has suddenly in the past few months begun biting us.  Pepper has been unbelievably friendly since the day I got him, almost like a dog.  Now at least once a day he will attack one of us as we are walking by by nipping us.  I thought maybe we weren't paying enough attention to him (we are really busy now that the kids are older), but even after petting him or showing him attention, he will actually become meaner...ears flatten, bites harder..to the point where have to pick him up and remove him from wherever we are.  My daughter is now terrified of him and my husband is threatening to get rid of him,  He is not mean all the time..the rest of the day he will be purring and loving.  It has become a daily thing and seems to be getting more frequent.

Answer
Debbie,

When a cat suddenly has a change in behavior, especially towards aggression, you should take it to the vet for a checkup. Pain can make a cat aggressive. That can include an ear infections, dental problems, etc. I would rule out a medical issue before dealing with his actions as a behavior problem.

In some cases when a cat behaves like that it is helpful to get him a kitty friend to play with, snuggle with, and to be companionship and company for him when he is alone. It would be best to get one about his same age and temperment.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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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.

Experience

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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