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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/rude kitty
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My cat is a 6 year old male tabby. Hes very rude, and spoiled he gets 2 soft treats,which he begs for morning and night, and usually if some one pets him or he gets scared he pukes it all up, he gets little treat here and there when he rolls over. He does not play, he hisses when hes touched, he growls at almost every one thats new who visits and walks by him or trys to touch him. Hes very mean to me he also bites and swats. No one that comes over likes him, we call him a grumpy old man. It doesn't seem likes hes a happy cat unless hes getting treats, he'd prefer not to be touched or any attention unless he gets something out of it. He seems to be unhappy or something. What can i do to fix him or help him become more of a happy cat
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Kendra,
What a beautiful cat!!
Your cat's behavior is typical if he had a feral parent. They are not like domesticated house cats and will not behave like one. You can't change their basic personality.
Ferals usually bond to one person. The cat may loving with you (at times), but will probably always be skittish and nervous with other people, and will more than likely hide when he hears people or noises. Ferals normally can be affectionate, follow you around, lay next to you, but do NOT like to be petted or held. If you do pet them watch their ears and tail. If you see any sign of ears being pinned back, or the tail starts swishing back and forth, that is the time to stop messing with him. If you don't you are liable to get bit or scratched. When you have a feral that doesn't like to be touched....don't. Respect how the cat is and accept it. It will make for a happier living situation. Biting and scratching is a reflex action for protection. Pet from behind the head. Coming from the front is a recipe for claws coming out or being bit.
It takes a lot of patience and special handling with them. I have found that they prefer a neck 'massage' (massage just in front/above the shoulder blades) to being actually petted. I have 2 that will be 2 years old that I have had since birth. They are still skittish, and both will let me pet them for an extended time only when they have a toy in their mouth! Neither like to be held or carried, but both sleep with me.
There is a human distrust that is inherited and inbred into them. And they will remain skittish and distrustful (sometimes to the point of aggressiveness) of strangers.
They are also very sensitive, so do not yell at them and never hit them! You can undo any trust you have built up. They react to the tone of your voice.
They are natural hunters and enjoy being able to do it. They are happiest being able to be an indoor/outdoor cats. They like to be outside to hunt, but they also like to be inside where it is safe and not scary. You also will run across the ones that never want to go outside again.
If you keep them inside all the time then you need to satisfy that hunting urge to keep them mentally well-balanced and happy. Giving them a raw beef rib bone (I have the butcher cut them in half) satisfies the "fresh kill'. Plus the fibers help clean their teeth. They need stuffed toy mice you can throw so they can chase it and "catch" it, or pull a shoestring around for them to stalk and attack. A pet laser light is great for letting them try to catch the "little red bug" on the walls, floors, and ceilings...and funny too.
For some additional feral behavior information go to this link and click on the feral articles:
http://petplacestation.com/articles/?tag=carol-jacobi
Buddy may have hairballs or worms that is causing him to vomit. You may want to get some hairball remedy or periodically put some oil in his food or a small stripe of butter or mayonnaise down his front legs. He will instinctively lick it off and the oils in either will help keep him 'greased'.
I hope this was helpful.
Tabbi
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Answers by Expert:
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).
Education/Credentials
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Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
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