Thread: Cats

I know that there are a lot of cat lovers on here so I thought it may be a good place to ask the following:

My 7 month old beautiful black (with white spot under chin) cat, Barry, is very, very playful. This is normal for a cat but the problem is that he has very sharp claws and doesn't seem to be getting over the phase of scratching my knees, hands and toes (while I'm in bed). I have tried giving him numerous cuddly toys, balls, toy mice and other play-things and I refuse to play with him as soon as he starts the attacking but still, he insists on attacking me whenever he gets into a playful mood.

He is well fed and I change his litter everyday so I know he's not suffering from lack of food or confusion where to go to the toilet. I just don't know why he attacks so much even though I've showered him with as many playthings as I can.

Any advice would be helpful please?

My advice would be to invest in a good scratch post, NEVER give catnip, and get yourself a good pair of leather gloves. Seriously! That's what I had to do.

Some cats just like to play rough. I was told they usually slow down a little with age. They're nine now and I'm still waiting...

Psh, cats don't slow down with age. My cat gets more spiteful with every passing year.

He's got loads of scratching posts and an old sofa that he loves to scratch on too but it still doesn't stop him attacking me. I would wear gloves but it isn't very practical and I don't give him catnip because he's only young and it would be like giving a young teenager weed or something.

I'm hoping that he stops a bit at the end of Feb when he gets neutered.

Hawke - your response doesn't give my hands, knees and toes a lot of hope for the future lol.

No hope at all, I'm afraid. On the up side, you'll have cool "scar" stories to share with others!

There's nothing cool about scar stories.

Cat scar stories might be. To other cat owners, maybe. It's a commonality thing.

Bobbin and Ethel. Both completely useless. One farts like an old man, leaving behind a horrid odor, that in the right concentration could be weaponized, while the other pisses in the living room. They constantly squabble like children over who's top kitty.

Is he "attacking" you or is he playing with you?

I don't know about cats but with dogs, this is representative of the animal expressing its authority and dominance over you.

Perhaps you should give Barry some gentle reminders of who the Alpha Female is in the household? : )

He's sort of doing both. I keep holding him by the neck when he tries to bite and saying 'no' firmly to him before letting him go and then ignoring him but if he's playing then I just find him a toy to play with.

Sounds like a good form of reprimanding.

Does he get enough exercise? A lazer-pointer, darting back and forth along the wall, could get him up and chasing it around, and might wear off some of that restlessness. (I know it'd work for me!)

I've also heard some people jostle a fishing pole around (without the reel and hook, of course) as that gives the cat something physical to bat at and try to claw.

Also, maybe trimming Barry's nails would help take some of the sting off.

Have him declawed in the front! Cats can still protect themselves with back claws. Of course, this only works if he's an indoor cat.

If my cat weren't declawed, I'd never get to hold her. My annoying cat doesn't really like to be held... and she HATES being brushed. Hates it so very much.

I'd rather not take his claws away. I've tried using a nail file on them so they're not as sharp and once I start letting him go out I want him to be the Don of the local area and not have other cats beating him up.

He does get a lot of excercise. I have housemates who play with him too. He's a very affectionate and social cat but every now and again he just goes into a mental type mode and attacks for no reason. I can't really let him out until the end of Feburary when he's neutered or else ther'll be loads of little Barry's around so maybe it is just pent up frustration. I don't know... he's worth it though for how he is when he's not being a little sod.

Nah, it isn't dominance. Dogs are pack animals with a hierarchy. Cats are loners. Neutering might help, but there's no guarantee, of course. Like I said, it sounds like he's just a little overly enthusiastic when it comes to play. Hey, at least he isn't boring!

Frankie was sweet minute and a holy terror the next. We chalked it up to her being a bit nutty (but super smart) via the completely accidental separation from her mom and siblings (we'd given the feral family away to a cat-loving farm, and obviously missed one kitten) which resulted in her having no food for three days.

Best of luck with your kitty.

Originally Posted by Amber Leaf

I can't really let him out until the end of Feburary when he's neutered or else ther'll be loads of little Barry's around so maybe it is just pent up frustration.

Yup. Pent up frustration and pent up... something else. As soon as he has those two little problems removed, the attacking will slow down and when he gets to go outside and kill real things/ beat up other cats, he'll really chill out.

Right now, he's a young male cat and you are his best friend/mom/companion/feeder/jailer and he loves you so much he has to show you by making you bleed.

As cute and cuddly as cats are, they share a genetic link with these guys that they haven't forgotten.