The heat rises
It is incredibly hot today. The cats have no less than six fans running upstairs and it is still 85 degrees. Mike and I are going ahead with our plans to build an introduction cage inside the enclosure. This will give Sinatra the option of meeting all the gang (because some of the cats just don’t come in the house) and this way, inside the enclosure, all the cats can meet Sinatra.
He is a funny cat, wanting so badly to be stroked, but also biting and pawing when you do. I have learned to watch his body language closely and when he crouches down and extends a paw, I know to watch out. Mike isn’t that receptive and has been bit several times. I tell him to no pet Sinatra so often but he continues to do so and then suffers later (not quietly).
We should be done with the cage in a few days, it will have three levels, a “cave” and several hello holes where the cats can meet and greet.
July 21st, 2006 at 5:53 am
Hello!
I am looking for advice on my cats behavior. He’s feral, about 1yr 1/2 and very bity. Is it common of feral cats to not only bite but do so in a VERY agressive way? He will attack my arm and clamp down, usually breaking skin. Overall he is a good cat, just a bit on edge when new people come over, although he warms up eventually. Usually petting with him (unless he just woke up! he’s a doll then) turns into him biting my hand/attacking my arm. Any general rules when dealing with feral cats and what would be a good way to train him out of this very bad behavior ? (he knows ‘NO’, doesn’t always listen..) Is this behavior just instinctual?
July 21st, 2006 at 8:00 am
Unless a cat (as a kitten) has been handled by humans in that critical time period of 2 to 3 weeks old, human touch (petting and stroking) can instead become a trigger to uneasiness, or aggression.
Cat bites are nasty business, I would hope you are seeking medical advice if the bites are severe, keeping your tetanus shots up to date and soaking the bite when it occurs in hot water and epsom salts while consulting with your doctor.
My sister has the unfortunate experience of not having the right enzymes in her body to deal with bacteria and she has been the victim of cat scratch fever a few times (she rescues feral cats as well).
I can only tell you what I would do if this were my cat. I am going on scant information, but I would stop petting him as of now. I would ignore him in that department, still see to his needs- food, water, litter, vet care.
I would instead play with him interactively to run off some of that nervous energy he sounds like he has. Toys like Da Bird are excellent to use. Keeps your fingers and hands out of the equation and allows him to use his prey and play instincts. A simple toy for this is just any feathered toy tied on the end of a fishing line attached to an old fishing pole.
Without knowing his history, I will just tell you from my experience that sometimes, these cats only know that human touch brings pain. Outside, in the world with no one but theirselves to depend on they are open targets for all the sick-minded people who intensely hate cats.
I would also hope you have had him neutered.
March 19th, 2008 at 12:24 am
It was a tough weekend in the Turnbull household. Our 12 year old family cat, Jordie, had to be put down due to severe kidney failure. He had a tough life, but at the same time a wonderful life, mostly thanks to my wife Tara. She found him on the street when he was a baby, almost dead. He had everything you could imagine: worms, fleas, covered in dirt, pneumonia, infection in eyes, malnourished. Yet he purred the whole time when she picked him up and took him home. That was his signature in his life, his…
March 19th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Thank you for caring for him. I am so sorry you lost him. That is always so difficult for the family when they leave. Cats purr when they are in distress as well as when they are content. Purring is their comfort station. Bless your wife for saving this kitten against all the odds.