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Cats/My male cat attacks me!

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Expert: - 7/8/2007


Question
I have a 2 year old orange male cat that always trys to grab me by the lag and bite me and scratch me up. I am a VERY kind person and i wouldnt do anything to hurt him. I love him very much and do everything i can to make im happy. So why is he attacking me?  

Answer
Hi Katherine,

First off, is he fixed? Unfixed male cats show a lot of aggression. If he isn't, then get him fixed. This will help you immensely. If he is fixed we go on to try to figure out why he is doing that. Cats sometimes have what is called redirected aggression. This happens when they come up against something that stresses them out. They don't direct their aggression towards the person or thing but at you instead. You need to see if there is anything that is new in his area. Is there a cat outside that he sees? Is there a new person in your life? Figure out if there is something that is bothering him and try to remove it from his sight. If there is a cat that he can see outside then close the blinds. If there is someone in your life you need to have that person make friends with him. That's a whole other subject there.

Get him checked at the vet. He may have something medically wrong with him. Get a product called Feliway. They have a whole house atomizer. This stuff acts as a kitty tranquilizer and will calm him down. Try these suggestions and see what happens. Let me know how it goes for you. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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