My cat is completely out of control. I've tried everything. Help?

Hi,

as you already feel, de-clawing is not an option.

For me it looks as if your cat simply does not really feel safe.

Even if you got him when he was only 8 weeks old, you don't know what he went through in the first 8 weeks of his life.

I know what I talk about, I rescued many kittens and re-homed them when they were about 12 to 16 weeks old. And I checked the new owners.

One kitten I got returned after 4 days - I gave it away as a curious, friendly and playful kitten and got it back as a wreck. The tiniest noise or movement from me or other family members/cats and this kitten just disappeared in the tiniest hiding spots and literally screamed in fear.

This cat is still with me - aged 15 now and still has trouble to trust, even if it's way better now and sometimes it still needs just a specific movement or gesture to make this cat run.

Thus said, I can give you the warranty that it is at least possible to get this cat sociable - even if the chances that you can cuddle her and carry her around are slim.

It takes time, time and yeah, even more time.

It also takes a bunch of understanding and patience.

因此，這裡是你必須做什麼。

Well, you probably don't get what I just wrote. Same goes for your cat.

You both talk complete different languages which makes it hard for your cat to understand you and vice verso, you don't get what your cat tries to communicate.

The result, all are frustrated and the cat as the weaker part has barely an option left than to misbehave and become aggressive trying to defeat herself.

I wrote "So, here is what you have to do" in Chinese.

Even if it's hard. Try to ignore the cat completely (except the food and litter box service) for the next days or weeks.

Melanie already gave some excellent tips, here are some more.

If you see the cat, simply say "Hi [name of your cat]" in a soft, calm and gentle voice, that's all for now.

After two days, you can start to carry treats around. A treat bag (dogs department in pet supply stores) is convenient since you will have treats always available. When you see the cat, simply continue to say "Hi" and you can drop a treat in a way she will see it. Don't throw / toss it into her direction, simply let it drop out of your hand. The cat will notice it and will start eating the treat.

Additional you can attach a toy mouse or an old sock stuffed with cotton to a 6 ft long string and attach the other end at the belt loop of your trousers or at your wrist. You will pull that toy around where ever you go and your cat has something to hunt after while your feet are safe.

Also this is a good opportunity to play with your cat indirectly which helps him to feel more safe.

If he claws or bites, simply push the "trapped" hand, foot, arm ... gently and slowly further towards his belly or further into his mouth while remaining as calm as possible.

No prey ever would show this behavior and therefore it will confuse the cat and he will release you.

Back out immediately and ignore him for the next 20 minutes up to 1 hour.

Bathing: Not needed for cats except their coat is covered with an unknown and potential toxic substance. The majority of cats simply hate water and it will make things just worse for your cat.

If needed, you may take a damp wash cloth to clean his coat. Never force - even if it could take hours or days to clean. Worst case go to a vet to get him bathed under sedation if you assume a health risk due to the unknown substances in his coat.

Reward good behavior with a praise and also a treat during the first weeks of behavior modification.

Clipping claws: Not required as well. Invest in solid cat trees.

http://www.allpetfurniture.com/Cat-Trees-and-Condo...

You cat will have one or more places where he is allowed to scratch and to climb. Also a good cat tree helps cats to work out frustration, fear and/or aggression. Sisal is by the way the surface most cats prefer to scratch on.

To make the cat tree(s) attractive, simply attach some catnip (or Valerian) on the poles twice a week at the beginning. Reward your cat when he uses the cat tree(s) with a praise and at the beginning a treat as well.

Slowly increase the time of direct interaction with your cat and reward good behavior.

If your cat tries to back out or shows any sign of discomfort, accept it and let him go. Everything else will just add to his stress and he may become aggressive again.

Last but not least:

Get a book about cat behavior. My personal favorite is "Starting from scratch" of Pam Johnson-Bennett.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_13/190-15...

Hope that helps.

If you have further questions feel free to contact me via my yahoo clever profile.

I read your post and I am going to help you, but you have to follow through with all of these suggestions. First of all, your cat is acting in this aggressive fashion because he doesn't trust you. Spraying him with a water bottle has made him fear you, and instead of correcting his behavior, it has just taught him that you are someone that is going to do something awful to him. He is spraying because he doesn't feel as though he has his own "place" in the home. Do NOT declaw him, that will make him feel even more powerless! He is attacking you because he is feeling frustrated with a lack of stimulation in his environment. Here is what I think you should do:

1. Make sure that Kitty has his own litter box, located away from the other cats.

2. Install some shelves for him to sit on/walk around the house on. Cats need to be up high, and this will give him a sense of control over his world.

3. Play with him, a lot! Use toys, not your hands (hands are for petting). A toy that works particularly well with cats with a strong hunting instinct looks almost like a little fishing pole with a toy mouse or feather at the end. This will give him much needed exercise, let him "hunt" his "prey", and tire him out!

4. Pet Kitty when he is calm, and only pet his head/neck area. Some cats can feel threatened when their back areas are pet, especially if you need to rebuild his trust.

5. Please google "my cat from hell." You will find many of these same suggestions (probably in much more detail) on that sight...Jackson Galaxy is an amazing resource...he has helped many people with cat situations exactly like yours. There is a link on his sight where you can contact him, if needed.

GOOD LUCK and please don't give up on your cat!

Okay, it's time to see your vet. If he's spraying, he could be having a seizure. Talk with your vet about his issues and she may be able to work it out. I have 3 cats, one that sprays when he has a seizure. Did you adopt him from a shelter or a cat breeder? If a breeder, call him/her up and ask him if they know anything about the cat. If it came from a shelter, ask one of the staff who works in the cat room. He probably doesn't do well with cats or dogs. I come from experience, considering the fact that I have 3 VERY weird cats at home. I hope this helps!

Have you tried giving him a herbal supplement to curb his aggressivness? The one I've had good experience with his called Feline Matricalm. Its made up of herbs that help to calm a cat down so that they can learn better behaviour and so that they can be handled better as well. Here's the link if where I buy it: http://www.petwellbeing.com/products/cat-aggressio...

That is absolutely hilarious, you use a squirt gun on a cat!! Is he some sort of lion cat? Maybe he thinks spraying is normal self defence as that's what you do :-]]] I think try changing his diet - maybe the meat in his food has too much adrenalin in it or something.

This sounds a bit extreme and my heart goes out to you. Maybe find a good adoption center and put him there and visit him weekly. Maybe there is something wrong with him? Has he had all shots? Maybe a vet has some advice. And yes, if he is to stay inside, declaw him, though it won't solve all your problems, it will save you from pain. Let him out, it seems he doesn't like being trapped inside.

its to late to correct his behavior. you were likely a door mat for your cat throughout its life and allowed its asshole behavior to continue. by now it is engrained into him that this is who he is. you cannot change it. for the next cat try this: when its bad, smack it and make a sharp noise. dont use water bottles or shake cans because that just confuses and traumatizes the cat. the natural way for the animal to be told "HE DONT F-ING DO THIS!" by another cat, is for it to be smacked and a sharp noise being made. reinforce what is natural to the cat, not what dumbasses tell you.

Sounds like he needs to be an outdoor cat. If he's dumb enough to get hit by a car, that's his fault.

I will field goal kick that little bastard.