He scratches me all the time!!!

What causes a cat to constantly attack? I think Butter is playing, but as he gets used to us, he begs for attention. I will be rubbing his fur, very gently, and then for no reason, ATTACK http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/eek.gif. What causes a cat do do this?
He is new to the indoors, and follows me like a shadow. My daughter hasn't gotten this kind of treatment, only me. My hands look terrible, and I feel I have to explain it to everyone I meet!!!
I just wonder if there is anything I can do about it? Will a cat be disciplined? I just never thought you could say "NO" or "OUCH" to a cat and have it mean anything, but I'm doing it anyway, in a weak attempt to teach him right from wrong.
Hope someone has some ideas. I can't wear gloves all the time to cover my wounds! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif

Logan-

See the post by me on 12/22/00:
http://petoftheday.com/talk/Forum12/HTML/000060.html

It might help to understand Butter. I have a cat that is the same way, and like Butter she was a rescue, so I have no idea how she may have been treated as a kitten. When I sense she is about to go into attack mode, I just quickly withdraw. I then ignore her. She has not completely stopped the behavior, but it has cut down dramatically.

I agree, the best thing to do is to withdraw and ignore your cat. If it keeps coming after you have a spray bottle with water handy. most of the time just shaking the water sprayer just sends the cat running. also my cat has just been newtered so that hopefully will calm him down a bit

I have had this sort of problem with an abandoned cat before although perhaps not to the same extent that you are experiencing it. I [i]thought[\i] the problem was a dominance issue with the "Pani" trying to establish his pecking order in his new household. He would be all love and cuddles and then he would attack me for no apparent reason. I managed to stop his behaviour by either using the water gun treatment or by lifting him by his scruff (as his mum would have) and giving him a stern talking to. He very rarely attacks me nowdays and the more I think about it the more I suspect it was a dominance issue.

I also imagine there are other reasons for this kind of behaviour. Pani was a abandoned tom and was used to being Top Cat in the area.

Good luck...

I imagine being outdoors and on his own for so long did have an effect on Butter, which may be why I get these attacks. I also think he is playing many times when he does it. Just this morning, I was sitting at the kitchen table, just reading the paper, but I was in my floor length robe. He attacked with no warning and had both of my feet bleeding, then when I reached down to grab him, he got my hand again!!! There is no rest for the weary. When he started it again tonight, I just told him a stern no and put him outside. I'm beginning to look like a blob of ground beef!! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif

Logan-

If he's that bad, and attacking even without being provoked or petted, you may want to ask your vet about Ovaban - it has side effects so if it's used at all it should be in the smallest doses possible for the shortest duration possible, but it is very effective for this type of behavior.

Logan
How old is Butter? If he is a Kitten he probably just wants to play with you.Specially since Mimi doesn't want to play with him. Try to distract him with a Toy when he attacks you.Affection-related aggression is not uncommon in male cats. He thinks you are his Playmate.

Unfortunately, we don't really know how old Butter is. The vet estimated between 3-4 years old. But he acts like a curious kitten. He is so sweet most of the time and then.....all you know what breaks loose!! But we love him anyway. I have bought more cat toys for him than I ever did for poor Mimi. He is especially partial to a catnip filled mouse that is on an elastic string. I am learning, slowly, but surely to steer his attention elsewhere when he starts up on me.
The occasional hiding and jumping out is cute, the the unprovoked attacks are just too much! He is getting more attention now than he probably ever has and just keeps expecting me to play with him whenever. My big dogs are even intimidated to the point where they won't come inside if he is sitting inside the door. He loves their feathery tails and thinks they are big toys too!
Thanks for all of the advice. Spencer, I think I will look for a scratching post as you described. I do not currently have one as Mimi has never needed it.
Thanks again.
Logan

Hi - I'm new here and I really sympathise - this is a frustrating and painful experience - a couple of thoughts......

Butter is probably just feeling a bit threatened and needs to settle down and learn the rules (which doesn't help your poor scratches I know!)

Try hissing at him when he attacks. I had a time when my kitty would attack me to get me out of bed in the morning and I tried a lot of things (a loud clap, shutting her out, saying no, staring at her, etc) and finally, hissing seemed to bring her up short. You could also try making a noise like a wounded cat and then ignoring him - I had quite a bit of success with this too. Another thing I did was to give her lots of interactive play time (fishing pole toys are a hit) - it helped her get out those 'hunting urges'.

Finally - could he be in pain? Has he had a vet check? It's unlikely, but worth considering. Best of luck - I can tell you that my kitty has been wonderful for quite some time now - no violence to speak of - so theres hope. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

You're going to love this update. The Butter cat is learning his manners. We walk away from him when he gets aggressive and distract him with a toy or food, only give him a couple of loving strokes and stop before he can claw us, we actually do more talking than touching. We have gone 48 hours without a scratch or bite! I know that's not a lot, but it is a start. I love each one of my pets individually, but I can not tell you how my heart is warmed by the site of this lovely cat sitting on the ledge of my house, waiting for me, when I drive up the driveway. He is SO happy and content. Maybe all the aggression is part playfulness and part of just learning to fit in. Maybe once he knows he has a forever home, the aggressiveness won't be necessary. He is a lovely boy, and as soon as I get new pictures, I will be sure to have Paul help me post them.
Thanks everyone for listening....
Logan http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

Great news, Logan. Give Butter a congratularoty pat on the head for me - but only one!

3 days....no new scratches. The new philosophy seems to be working!!!! Yeah!!!
http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif

Logan, I am glad that Butter is calming down. When I thought about this I recalled that years ago Patches scratched and attacked when we first adopted her. And now, Rascal who is only three did the same thing when I first let him in the house with me. I certainly am not an authority, but I think part of it is just the "settling" in for a new cat. Who is in charge? What are the rules? At least for me, the consistency of good treatment, lots of love and a good home seemed to calm my cats down.
Once they felt secure they stopped the attacking.

Also let me be the (59th??- ha!) person to tell you that I love the name "Butter."

------------------

Hi Logan! Just catching up on this post. Glad that your "beefsteak" days may be behind you! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif Oliver, my new 8 mo. kitty will do that if I tickle him too long while he's on his back. But the "attack" is brief and he doesn't bite or scratch hard. Butter is so beautiful, and I hope that your house is happy and whole soon!!! How is he doing with Mimi? Can't wait to see new pics. Now, butter, don't be a NAWTEEKITTY!!!! Mom may give you the "tied to the wall" treatment! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif



[This message has been edited by tatsxxx11 (edited March 31, 2001).]

Hi Sandra..
I think that slowly, but surely, the hissing and growling are slowing down. Mimi is learning to walk past Butter without having a fit. And to his credit, he usually doesn't mess with her, unless she starts the hissing thing. In fact, tonight, they walked out of the front door, one right after another, and that's a first!! She still wishes he wasn't here, but it might have just "jazzed up her life" a little. For a six pound old lady, she still has a lot of spirit, and now Butter knows it!!
Time will tell, and I don't think they will ever be good friends, but they are co-existing, and Mimi still eats with enthusiam, which is more than I can say for the time when Dwayne, a little rescue kitten, came to live with us.
Maybe, if we keep our fingers crossed, they will come around. I certainly hope so!
Logan