AboutNorman Auspitz Expertise I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
Question i just got a kitten today and shes very mean for some reason...everytime i try to pet her she starts to growl and hiss at me..she bites me and scratches me...how should i go about by training her that her aggressive behavior is not acceptable???
Answer Bethany,
How old is the kitten? Do you know her history? Was she given you by a friend or did she come from a shelter? Was she brought up indoors or was she born outside?
In any case, I would start by ignoring her. If she comes over to you for affection, then, by all means, pet her. Do not approach her, do not pick her up unless she "asks" to be picked up. Do everything in slow motion, i.e. no fast moves. If you are petting her and she begins to behave aggressively, walk away. Normally, kittens love to be cuddled and stroked by people. This kitten is afraid of you, for some reason (probably not of your doing!). So, everything must be on the kitten's terms.
If you are playing any game and she becomes aggressive, the game stops immediately and you walk away.
Within a few days to a week, she should begin coming around.
Some tips:
Be absolutely consistent in your behavior towards her. Do not rough house, i.e. only engage in gentle play.
Again, let her come to you! Do not pursue or approach her.
