10 year old female cat keeps attacking wife
Discussion
As above, our normally lovely cat has randomly started attacking my wife. One minute she's after attention which my wife gives her lots of, then she's viciously attacking her, biting mainly but a bit of scratching too.
Some facts about the cat:-
She's slightly overweight, by a kilo or so - on a diet however
Very active, hunts relatively regularly
Eats pouches and dried food
Wife gives her fish or prawns everyday
She has suddenly become really greedy. We put it down to worms so wormed her but so far it's made little difference to her appetite. She certainly takes after me in this respect!
Now my wife is in the early stages of pregnancy but the cat was doing this previously anyway.
Any similar experiences? Any way of stopping it? Is it likely our normally lovely little baby has dementia or anything?
Thanks all
Some facts about the cat:-
She's slightly overweight, by a kilo or so - on a diet however
Very active, hunts relatively regularly
Eats pouches and dried food
Wife gives her fish or prawns everyday
She has suddenly become really greedy. We put it down to worms so wormed her but so far it's made little difference to her appetite. She certainly takes after me in this respect!
Now my wife is in the early stages of pregnancy but the cat was doing this previously anyway.
Any similar experiences? Any way of stopping it? Is it likely our normally lovely little baby has dementia or anything?
Thanks all
There might be some psychological aspect to it, but the cat is still playing. However the play has "escalated" to a more excited level. It does not know it is hurting/scratching your wife, or doing anything undesirable. Simply keep some water handy, preferably in a spray bottle. When the cat exhibits this behaviour, squirt it with the water. It should stop.
Scents due to elevated hormone levels during pregnancy, or even just a sense that it is no longer the most important thing ever, might have something to do with it. Animals sense these things, and there might be insecurity/confusion about it.
The "water treatment" usually fixes it.
Scents due to elevated hormone levels during pregnancy, or even just a sense that it is no longer the most important thing ever, might have something to do with it. Animals sense these things, and there might be insecurity/confusion about it.
The "water treatment" usually fixes it.
Have you had her vet assessed.
How long has it been going on?
There could be many factors but initially a medical reason should be ruled out. She should have blood tests to check for general function of her kidneys, liver and thyroid. Thyoid issues can cause several behavioural changes. Pain can aswell so check no back pain etc. Stress can be a cause - has anything else changed in her home recently - new cats in the area, building work etc (I'm not including the pregnancy because you said she was already doing this. Check no bladder problems with a urine sample.
Cats temperamnent can change with age and certain people can take the brunt of it.
Finally worse case scenario but much less likely is something affecting the brain such as a growth - but as I said it is really unlikely.
Once all medical aspects ruled out then you'd have to go with behavioural sometimes a vet will have a nurse who can help with this.
How long has it been going on?
There could be many factors but initially a medical reason should be ruled out. She should have blood tests to check for general function of her kidneys, liver and thyroid. Thyoid issues can cause several behavioural changes. Pain can aswell so check no back pain etc. Stress can be a cause - has anything else changed in her home recently - new cats in the area, building work etc (I'm not including the pregnancy because you said she was already doing this. Check no bladder problems with a urine sample.
Cats temperamnent can change with age and certain people can take the brunt of it.
Finally worse case scenario but much less likely is something affecting the brain such as a growth - but as I said it is really unlikely.
Once all medical aspects ruled out then you'd have to go with behavioural sometimes a vet will have a nurse who can help with this.
bexVN said:
heisthegaffer said:
Thanks for the responses all, I will get a spray and also sort vets out.
Try not to use the spray until you've had her checked over. Wouldn't be nice to find out she's ill let alone realise you've been spraying her whilst ill!just me said:
Good heavens! A vet? For this? A battery of tests? All this hand-wringing? Jesus! Get over yourselves. Just spray her a couple of times. If the behaviour does not change, THEN move on to things like the vet.
Honestly, grow a set.
A 10yr old cat suddenly becoming aggressive has a high chance of a medical trigger, not behavioural.Honestly, grow a set.
I stick by my advice and the owner does not need to grow a set.
bexVN said:
just me said:
Good heavens! A vet? For this? A battery of tests? All this hand-wringing? Jesus! Get over yourselves. Just spray her a couple of times. If the behaviour does not change, THEN move on to things like the vet.
Honestly, grow a set.
A 10yr old cat suddenly becoming aggressive has a high chance of a medical trigger, not behavioural.Honestly, grow a set.
I stick by my advice and the owner does not need to grow a set.
Occupation: Bible-thumpin' evangelist
Region: Bekaa Valley/California
Country: Lebanon
IMHO, Bible thumpers are utter nutters
You don't do humour and sarcasm, huh? Even if you don't get it, is it really that much of a leap to think it's a joke that you are not privy to, and let it go?
You really think a perfectly normal cat engaging in perfectly normal cat behaviour needs to be taken to the vet and have a battery of tests performed on it just because it has started to nip and scratch a bit more? It's probably a result of the cat misinterpreting the owner's reaction or the owner responding in a way that encouraged the cat to intensify its response. A simple change in response (quick spray with water mist) is what I would try first and see if the behaviour disappears in a week or two.
Before even beginning to think along more serious lines, I would also watch for other symptoms--vomiting, malaise, not eating, limping, favouring one side, white gums, etc. The Nervous Nellyism on here is a bit worrying.
What do you think the vet is going to do? Sit it down and have a serious talk? Or do you think he will do a bunch of tests, then turn around and shrug and say "Seems perfectly normal to me??? Let's keep an eye on moggy and see if anything else turns up, eh? You can pay the receptionist on the way out."
Are common sense and cat ownership mutually exclusive? If you don't understand animal behaviour, don't subject the poor things to your neuroses/paranoia. Are you the kind of people who raise those incredibly cossetted and spoiled children too? Ooh, the poor dear sneezed, let's put him down for an MRI. Ooh, he's sleepy, off we go to see the neurologist!
If you really think this could indicate dementia or feline leukemia or whatever...well, good luck. When's the vet appointment?
For the record, I have kept 3 cats and 2 dogs from birth to death, and I currently have a very beautiful cat and dog. I have also had goats, rabbits, mice, hamsters, etc. but that was a long time ago. More recently, I have also spent time with big cat cubs and a couple of other exotic species, some of them terminally ill. One of my dogs suffered from grand mal seizures. One of my cats had leukemia. I have trained several "problem" dogs and fixed their behaviour within the first ten minutes, and even managed to get my cat to learn some basic commands. I understand (and absolutely adore) animals. I have had my failures too.
If it makes you feel better, by all means, go to the vet. I don't think it's necessary but please don't let me stop you. And do let me know what happens. I am genuinely curious and there are no ego issues here.
Don't read anything into my profile, it's all fake information, except the California bit. :-)
You really think a perfectly normal cat engaging in perfectly normal cat behaviour needs to be taken to the vet and have a battery of tests performed on it just because it has started to nip and scratch a bit more? It's probably a result of the cat misinterpreting the owner's reaction or the owner responding in a way that encouraged the cat to intensify its response. A simple change in response (quick spray with water mist) is what I would try first and see if the behaviour disappears in a week or two.
Before even beginning to think along more serious lines, I would also watch for other symptoms--vomiting, malaise, not eating, limping, favouring one side, white gums, etc. The Nervous Nellyism on here is a bit worrying.
What do you think the vet is going to do? Sit it down and have a serious talk? Or do you think he will do a bunch of tests, then turn around and shrug and say "Seems perfectly normal to me??? Let's keep an eye on moggy and see if anything else turns up, eh? You can pay the receptionist on the way out."
Are common sense and cat ownership mutually exclusive? If you don't understand animal behaviour, don't subject the poor things to your neuroses/paranoia. Are you the kind of people who raise those incredibly cossetted and spoiled children too? Ooh, the poor dear sneezed, let's put him down for an MRI. Ooh, he's sleepy, off we go to see the neurologist!
If you really think this could indicate dementia or feline leukemia or whatever...well, good luck. When's the vet appointment?
For the record, I have kept 3 cats and 2 dogs from birth to death, and I currently have a very beautiful cat and dog. I have also had goats, rabbits, mice, hamsters, etc. but that was a long time ago. More recently, I have also spent time with big cat cubs and a couple of other exotic species, some of them terminally ill. One of my dogs suffered from grand mal seizures. One of my cats had leukemia. I have trained several "problem" dogs and fixed their behaviour within the first ten minutes, and even managed to get my cat to learn some basic commands. I understand (and absolutely adore) animals. I have had my failures too.
If it makes you feel better, by all means, go to the vet. I don't think it's necessary but please don't let me stop you. And do let me know what happens. I am genuinely curious and there are no ego issues here.
Don't read anything into my profile, it's all fake information, except the California bit. :-)
Edited by just me on Sunday 27th May 20:19
2 things:
Firstly: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/kitty_pet
Secondly and more seriously try feliway cat diffuser can calm the cat down.
Firstly: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/kitty_pet
Secondly and more seriously try feliway cat diffuser can calm the cat down.
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