Expert: Norman Auspitz - 2/15/2009

Question
QUESTION: Our cat Dexter scratched our 3 year old son on the face about 3 weeks ago but we chalked up to our son probably getting too rough with the cat but a week later Dexter scratched my husband when he tried to pet him and he scratches some people and not others. He has also scratched other guests. We all love Dexter and we want to know if we should get just his claws removed or if there is an alternative. Thank you.

ANSWER: Johnson Family,

How old is Dexter?  Is he neutered?  Did this scratching behavior just begin?

One thing to remember about cats is that they have very tough skin and, so, they tend to play with their siblings very, very roughly while growing up.  Cats need to be taught that human skin is softer and biting/scratching behaviors that are fine with other cats are not fine with humans.

If Dexter has never been socialized to people and he has started these behaviors suddenly, there may be a number of things going on.  Your 3 year old may be rough housing with Dexter which will only encourage him to play more roughly. IF Dexter has not been neutered and he has reached puberty, as this is breeding season, he may be acting more aggressively.

I hesitate to suggest declawing as it often seems to turn declawed cats into biters.

Please let me know what his age is, whether or not he has been neutered, and whether this behavior has just started up as this would make a difference on what can and should be done.

Best regards... Norm.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dexter is almost 2 years old. We have had him for 3 months he came from another patient at my Child's dentist. He is not neutered. We never noticed any scratching when we first got him except on the furniture but I don't recall him scratching any people until after he scratched my son. Up until that point he did just fine with a scratching post and everybody was able to pet him without being scratched.

Also do you think Dexter would benefit from having another cat in the house?

Answer
The Johnson Family,

I would get him neutered.  Clearly, he has not been socialized to people.  It just took him 3 months to become totally adjusted to your household. In addition, we are in the height of breeding season (getting ready for spring kittens).  So, he is somehwat agitated by all the females in heat and his hormones are jacked up a couple of notches.  Neutering should calm him down.  One caveat, it takes a few weeks for the hormones to dissipate once he has been neutered.

I would go the neutering route first and then see what happens.  Bringing another cat may work out just fine or create a bit of a nightmare.  

Best regards... Norm.