I remember your post on the cat furniture, i didn't post an answer because i knew buying furniture wouldn't solve the problem. If you can't handle it, i's suggest placing an ad on petfinder or in your local paper, truthfully detailing his problems. I BET YOU you'll get called wanting him, there's always people out there who have the time and patience to work with a troublesome animal.

You can give it a last try, if you want, but again, some cats just have a temper that you either learn to live with or you don't. Play therapy is always suggested, also these plastic claws you glue on your cat, they'd help a LOT.. and stay on for at least 2-3 months. That way, even if he lunges, he can't scratch. Does he bite?

Don't be upset, sometimes things dont' work out. It's sad, but it's life

 

I agree with RarePuss that you should try to find Oliver a home if you have decided he is too much to handle.

I haven't had any problems with troublesome behaviour yet so I don't know what advice I can offer. Have you tried things to get him to change his behaviour?

And like RarePuss said too I wonder if the soft claw or paws (can't remember the name) would be helpful in this situation.

Is it only you he attacks or others too?

 

Biting is the problem. He lunges with his opened fanged mouth. I do have the patience and I do have the time, he just has always been like this since day one and I've had him since he was about 6 weeks old. He has some toys and I direct him to those when I can but once he gets in attack mode, there is no stopping him. I don't want anyone else to have him and possibly abuse him because of his own abusive behavior. If his claws were the problem, then I'd be able to deal with that....it is his teeth. Seriously, can a vet pull them out and I put him on wet food the rest of his life? I would do that in a heartbeat if that were an option. And I am sick of people saying I let him get away with his behavior. I do not at all. I yell, I hold him down (as much as I can) and I've just tried everything. I go on vacation this Thurs-Sun and I am giving my mom permission to take him to get him put to sleep. I'm sure I'll go to **** for it but I am at the end of my rope.

 

I go on vacation this Thurs-Sun and I am giving my mom permission to take him to get him put to sleep. I'm sure I'll go to **** for it but I am at the end of my rope.

Oh NO... don't do it on a whim! Putting a pet to sleep is horrible, and it's worse when you did it to a healthy animal It's Karma, it will come back to you. If you lived with him for a year, why not do it for another month or so while you try to find him a new loving home - trust me, when you REALLY exaust all possible ways to solve it, then you can safely say "Well, i did ALL i could". :x

 

THere is no one on earth that I would want to have my Oliver. No one would ever put up with him as much as I do. I assume dogs are much easier to train. I can not train Oliver. I've done everything. I suppose I could keep him in my unfinished basement and keep his food and water down there too and make him a nice home down there....

No, it's not only me he attacks, he attacks everyone...he'll be purring so loud while you pet him and then in a split second, his ears go back, his face in a triangular position, and looking like an owl. He then attacks. It really is the worst thing ever. Have you see the picture in my photogallery of what he did to my sister? How can he be purring one second and attacking the next? I honestly do NOT understand it one bit.

 

If you lived with him for a year, why not do it for another month or so while you try to find him a new loving home

And I just do want to clarify that he is in a very very loving home right now. I love him more than anything and anyone who knows me would tell you that. :wink:

 

Seriously, can a vet pull them out and I put him on wet food the rest of his life? I would do that in a heartbeat if that were an option.

I seriously think no vet will allow you to pull such a stunt.





Having your mom put him to sleep is frankly immature, this is your cat and your ultimate responsibility. Why does your mom have to deal with the terrible feelings of doing the 'dirty' work for you??? :x

I'm going to stop for now, this is just making me upset

 

This is not a "stunt". I am really sorry I posted this. It was right after he completely attacked my face to where I have bleeding claw and teeth marks on it and I have to go to a wedding next weekend and meet my bf's parents for the first time which I am already stressed enough about, looking like this! I highly doubt I would ever put him to sleep because of this. I am just completely upset and I figured I could vent on the cat forum. I posted a well thought question about cat furniture awhile ago and have had 34 views and 0 replies so I figured no one would reply to my recent post either.

I don't want anyone to think I am inhumane. I was caught in the moment of unbelievable stress and confussion.

I could not bring myself to do anything with him like that but need help on what I should be doing to turn his behavior around.

 

Have you talked to your vet about his behaviour?? sometimes cats can be put on medication for anxiety etc Maybe they could help you help Oliver to change his behaviour?? Or hormone room stuf like Feliaway??

 

Heather why not try looking for a no-kill shelter in your area that can maybe work on his aggressiveness and find a new home for him for you? If you say you truly love little Ollie then why do you want to have a vet kill him when he is perfectly healthy? I honestly didnt know you were having those problems with him, I dont think you have ever posted about this before.

Whatever happens, if you do decide to go with euthanizing him, I really hope you do not get another animal. This is just my opinion and I hope you have a change of heart.

EDIT: to add that I was typing this when you hadn't responded to RarePuss yet. Understandable if you were emotional at the time and didn't mean to post this...

 

Some people say walk away as soon as he attacks and some say to fight back and hit him (which I think is wrong) and hold him down. I get conflicting advice.

 

Stix owner-I have posted a few times about his behavior but just recently. Also, don't recall who posted about asking the vet for anxiety medicine for him but that does sound feasable. I would love to give that a try.


Oh and here is the picture I was talking about...

 

Also, don't recall who posted about asking the vet for anxiety medicine for him but that does sound feasable. I would love to give that a try.

That was me. I am sure there are some good articles out there on this topic. Maybe Dr. Jean will see this and have some advice?

 

I found this....

If you live in area in which a veterinary behaviorist practices (usually big metropolitan areas or near veterinary colleges) it would be worthwhile to consult with a behaviorist. Extreme aggression directed towards people is best treated by someone who can evaluate the possible physical causes and who is familiar with the possible psychological problems as well. Physical causes include problems such as chronic pain, ischemic damage in the brain and some neurologic defects. Psychological problems include extreme anxiety, redirected aggression, fear and several other potential problems. If a cause can be identified, either physical or psychological it is easier to predict whether or not treatment will be beneficial and obviously easier to choose the treatment plan most likely to work.

 

if my cat were like that, i dont think i could put up with that also if she were to hurt all my family members... cats have a mind of their own and your cat could be one of those rare cases of overaggressiveness...

the best solution other than keeping your cat would be to put her at an adoption place or no kill shelter... maybe time away from humans would get her to change her ways when she gets adopted by a new owner *shrugs*

 

I realize his behavior is extreme compared to many. Barnaby doesn't like to play with toys but he always liked to chase my feet and latch on and bite. A second cat gave him an outlet for his play aggression where now they can chase, wrestle and bite each other. Even if another cat were an option, Oliver may be too aggressive and hurt the other cat.

It sounds like an extremely difficult situation.

 

My cat was much the same way as yours. It's taken a while, but he rarely bites to hurt me anymore. When you say "nobody will put up with him like you do", you're wrong. I also have a cat with some severe behavioural problems, and I put up with it because I love him and promised to protect and care for him.

If you cannot put in the time/effort with him, find him a new home or take him to a no-kill shelter. Don't simply kill him.

 

This is awful. I had seen your cat furniture post but couldn't really offer any advice but had no idea things were this dire. This may be a stupid question but is he neutered? I really don't think any vet would put down a healthy cat just for bada$s behavior. I'm sure something can be done. As someone else suggested, maybe exposure to another cat or animal may bump him down a few notches, maybe not. Maybe Paxil or Prozac can help? :?

 

My cat is also a lil bit on the crazy side...he is constantly wanting to play..chases after me to attack my legs (that is what HE consides play)....when i hold him..he bites my fingers....he just today ruined the keys on my laptop...breaks things.... but i would NEVER be able to put him to sleep...what i love about him is what others hate...i love the fact that he isnt a typical cat...he is always hyper...runs around...and the biting i just dont let him think im playing with him i dont move my finggers..i just hold it sill and he lets go..but its hard to teach him a lesson as you said you have also tried...i have had scratches and other things but i still love him because of how he is...please dont put your cat to sleep..if you love him...you wouldnt put him to sleep..and if you cant see him with anothr owner besides yourslef, then how are able to think about putting him to sleep? i think you'll feel much better knowing you gave him to a good owner then to know you put him to sleep for no reason good enough..try all you can..TRUST ME...you'll regret it if you dont.

 

I'm going to live life dangerously and jump to Heather's defense. I'm NOT agreeing with putting him to sleep, I could never do that but I've a feeling this was a thread started in the spur of the moment on a bad day where you sat typing with tears (and blood by the sounds of it) running down your face.
Why not do a web search for some natural help, perhaps some sort of anxiety release stuff. Or a feliway diffuser like suggested.
Try burning sandlewood and ylang yland in a diffuser(supposed to sothe kitty)
I'd talk to my vet to and let him/her know just how much you are at your wits end with this. If they are a decent vet then surely they must have some advice.
Let us know how it goes.

 

Heather,
I'm not going to say anything that puts you on the defense. I think you are obviously upset and the last thing you need is someone else charging at you.

I did just want to say one thing. I am also in Illinois, so if you DID reach the point where you were going to put Oliver to sleep, I'd be willing to come get him. I know you said you don't want anyone else to have him, but ending his life is NOT a better alternative. It's also a selfish thing to say, which at times we all do. It's very similar to not wanting to put our animals down (when they are sick) because we love them so much and don't want to let them go. Ultimately, you have to make the decision that is in their best interest.

If it comes to that point, please contact me. Keep your chin up. I know you love him. The way you talk about him here on the forum makes that perfectly clear! Plus, Franny would be really upset if she found her cousin isn't around anymore! :wink:

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. It's morning and he's up here being his normal purring self. He'll get into attack mode later when he's bored.

I also thought getting another cat would help him settle down. We have brought in other cats and he likes them and tries to play soooooooo here's what I might do. I have 3 more cats that live at my parents house. I might bring one of them over on a trial basis. They all have their claws as does Oliver so if they play/fight, they can defend themselves. Of course I would monitor them at all times until things were comfortable in the house. I am also going to consult with my vet as well as my sisters bf who is a vetranarian. I think putting Ollie on medicine might me a great idea. Thanks!

Frannie--where at in Illinois?

 

I really think you need help in this situation, Heather. It has obviously escalated past the point that you can personally control. Have you talked to a vet about his behaviour? Are there animal behaviourists in your area? There comes a point where you need professional help with a situation, and this is it. I sorry that you are going through all this frustration and stress.

 

He's soooo darn cute!
I think trying out another cat in the house is a great idea. Make sure you take the time to do the introduction properly though! Oliver may not seem to scared, but the other cat being taken from it's home may not see it that way. Also, the medicine may help.

Heather, I'm in Chicago.

 

I hope everything works out. Let us know how everything goes.

I am also going to consult with my vet as well as my sisters bf who is a vetranarian

On a lighter note I read this sentence and couldn't work out how that would help you in any way as cats are carnivores. Then I re read it and realised it didn't say vegetarian. Thats what I get for skim reading at times