The new adventures of Mr. Magoo...

[catcrazylady]

Well, this little guy just isn't going to calm down on his own. We have been giving him several outings a day with none of the other cats around. He still has a nasty attitude. Let me tell you what he has done in the last few days. I briefly posted about this first one in my last thread.
When he is out he wants to be loved so he comes immediatley to my chair and rubs on my legs. I pet him and talk to him. I always keep my hand behind him now so I can make a quick get-away. I try to keep it calm and gentle but he will be rubbing away and just out of the blue he will whip that head around and try to bite me. Saturday morning he did this and I was gently rubbing and talking when he whipped that head around with mouth open. I immediatley jerked my hand back and the little brat went for my bare foot!!! I felt those teeth touch my foot and I jerked away fast and didn't get hurt. This time anyway!
Sunday he was out and we didn't realize that Stubby was hiding in the utility room. She walked out and he heard her. He went to her and they touched noses. I was already on my way to them when he stood up on hind legs and went at her with everything he had!!! Paws, claws, and teeth! She saw me coming and knowing that she gets in trouble for her fighting she managed to get away and ran. Mr. Magoo then proceeded to try to climb the wall that he had pinned her against. I mean literally that he tried to climb the wall while he was wailing and screaming!!!
He has tried to bite me many other times as well but I'm on to him now and fortunately have been able to get away. He does it with hubby too but mostly me. If you stop petting him he sits in front of you and cries like he can't understand why you stopped petting him. It makes me so sad and so mad all at the same time. He stood up on my chair tonight when I stopped petting him after he tried to bite me. I told hubby that if he climbs into the chair with me that I'm going to knock him off. He has me a nervous wreck!
He is the most confusing cat I have ever had to deal with! I can handle mean or scared but you can't figure him out! You never know what set him off. He is totally unpredictable.
I am going to medicate him and give that some time but I'm really not sure that he can ever be happy here. He might be blind but he's a little s&#t!!!

[carole]

Gee I am really sad to hear that Mr Magoo is causing you so many problems, I think his biting must be a defence he learned when he was out all alone, he probably is very confused, and being blind makes it very hard, he will no doubt act differently to any other cat you have ever known.

I really admire your courage in taking him on, it is not an easy task, i am not sure I would be up to it, hang on in there, hopefully as time goes on he will learn this is not the way to act, they are just like kids they need discipline, even if they are blind, call the CAT WHISPERER is there one nearby, who maybe could help you with techniques to deal with Mr Magoo, other than that I wish you all the best of luck, because it sure sounds like you are going to need it.

[Laura's Babies]

I was wondering how long ago he had those surgeries and if maybe something might be giving him some sudden pain or maybe depression from loosing his eyesight ? He does sound like a complex puzzel and it is so sad because of what you can offer him and he don't know it. It is just so sad! How is your hand?

[krazyaboutkatz]

CCL, I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Magoo is still trying to bite everyone. Hopefully the medication will help him. I really admire you for your persistence because I don't think that I'd be able to handle a cat like him. Good luck and please keep us updated.

[Vio&Juni]

Originally posted by carole
...I think his biting must be a defence he learned when he was out all alone...

I was thinking the same the last few days.

[Kirsten]

I'm really sorry Mr. Magoo is still trying to bite you and everyone else around. In fact, it's confusing and hard to understand why he's acting like that.

I've mentioned this before, but it reminds me a lot to my parents' cat Dino. He's not blind, but acting the same way. He's acting sweet and cries for attention, he seems to enjoy being petted, but then suddenly he turns around and bites you really bad. Or he attacks you with his claws. I had some really painful experiences with him in the past!
Oh, and when you're leaving him alone after such a biting attack, he would cry pitifully for more attention. He would even go after you when you walk away, and then he jumps into your legs. He wants love so bad, but when he gets it, he can't handle it. He's a mystery to me.

CCL, I know this is probably no comfort to you in your situation, but at least you'll know that there are more cats in this world with such an attitude. But what's really confusing is that Mr. Magoo never acted to you like that in the shelter. Could it be he felt more helpless there, with the surgery and everything, and now has got some self-esteem back? Or maybe it's just the other way around? It's so confusing!

Kirsten

[catcrazylady]

Kirsten I think you have hit the nail on the head. I really think he went through so much at the shelter with surgery and then a URI but is now well and raring to go!
My pity meter is nearly down to zero!! I don't think he needs any pity just some understanding. The problem is he has to learn how to reciprocate just a little! He's a brat! A blind brat I agree, but a brat nontheless!!!
Maybe I needed to get to this point to treat him equal to the other cats. The problem is I don't know how to redirect or discipline him. With my cats I just get loud and really fuss at them and that is enough. Last night Mr. Magoo was clawing on the chair and hubby lightly smacked the chair and said NO! Mr. Magoo ran into the wall trying to move. Ok, then my pity meter maxed out!!
Medication better work or I'm going to be left with no other choice. Anybody want him???

[catlady1945]

I think he definitely needs to be re-homed. The situation is just not right for him.

[catnapper]

Poor CCL & Mr. Magoo (and the rest of her clan) I can't offer suggestions since I've never been in anything remotely similar. Its just a shame that he's acting so bizaarly... like Dr. Jekyl & Mr. Hyde - errr, Mr. Magoo.

More {{{{HUGS}}}} to you and lots of prayers.

[PayItForward]

The reaction biting I *think* will cease given time, our Sandy used to try and bite Steve & I regularly for a couple of months.

He calmed down quickly in the first few hours of being isolated in our spare room. But if he came to us or we approached him, he would try and bit us, we just moved fast

At first the biting came from fear and stress of new surroundings, it seemed to be more of a uncontrolled reaction. He would see/feel movement and would bite at the object so fast, this is why we think it was a reaction, rather than a decision to bite.

Over the months he started to have some control, in his reaction, so the bites would delibrately fall short of target. He would start to bite but would snap his month quickly before he got near us.

Now he doesn't seem to even try to bite (Unless we corner him prior to stuffing him into a case for a vet visit.)

For Sandy biting seemed to be a fear/fight reaction to the scary world and everything in it. Maybe Mr Magoo feels the same ?

Sandy is still wary of the things that move and things that don't but he loves the other cats. He plays with Tigs in the garden and he loves sitting in the garden in the sun feeling the breeze.

Sandy is a happy cat

----------------
CCL,

I only tell you this as, I think Mr Magoo can stop biting and he can come out of a shell in the right home.

But that might not be your home. Look at SAS and Ti OR Kelly & Oliver OR Pam's daughter and Gabriel.

All examples of how the cats has to fit the home. All the cats struggled in their first (great pet loving) homes but settled in second homes.

I even think given a slow introduction and proper isolation at the start, he might get on with other cats.

Good Luck

(PS. I found this link which shows that isolation followed by slow introduction is recommended for blind cats...http://www.messybeast.com/disabled.htm#blind)

[Pam]

Originally posted by PayItForward

I only tell you this as, I think Mr Magoo can stop biting and he can come out of a shell in the right home. But that might not be your home. Look at SAS and Ti OR Kelly & Oliver OR Pam's daughter and Gabriel.

I totally agree PIF! I have been reading these threads and have been at a loss to reply because I have seen similarities between Mr. Magoo's behavior and Gabe's, although Gabe was a real puzzle because he had two good eyes! Mr. Magoo is a very needy kitty indeed, and I can't help but think he would do better in a home as an only cat. Perhaps there is just too much going on in your home for him to ever really feel relaxed. I guess I am just thinking out loud here. I never thought Gabe would be happy anywhere but then thankfully along came SAS with just the right environment for Gabe. He never totally became a lovable boy but he at least did seem happy there most of the time. (((hugs))) to you as you figure out what to do.

[catcrazylady]

I so appreciate all your advice. I can't give him his own space. I would if I could. If it were possible I would build him a room that he could have all to himself. I do think there might be some hope with medication but I also am thinking that he needs a home with less cat activity. You are right that sometimes the cat just doesn't fit with the house and I will have to admit that to myself and realize that it doesn't mean I have failed in some way. I truly only want what is best for Mr. Magoo.
The biting of me and hubby can be managed because we know how to watch out now. The problem is him stalking the other cats. They try to avoid him and leave him alone but he won't allow it. I am keeping him isolated during his outings but I can't when he is in the cage.
I know this sounds horrible but I wish I had never brought him home because now I feel he is my responsibility and I won't let him down. At this point I don't know what is right for him. Finding him the perfect home is not going to be easy if it's even possible.

[Twink]

Wow, I sure did miss a lot this weekend!!

I’m so sorry you’re still having problems with Magoo. I have to tell you that I admire you patience and your husband’s more than I can say!! I think the bite on the wrist would have been the first AND last straw with me, and even if I had been inclined to keep a new cat after something like that, my husband would NOT.

Magoo’s attitude reminds me a lot of my old roommate’s cat, Marty. He desperately wanted attention, but didn’t know how to go about making people love him. And didn’t know what to do with attention when he got it! With him, it was always cry, pet, purr, BITE. I was the only person he didn’t bite much, and that’s just because he knew that I would yell and then ignore him for an hour if he did. I can’t imagine what he would have been like with other cats around!

Anyway, I have no advice, but you have MORE than proven that you have Magoo’s best interests at heart! Anything you do will be right, because you’ll put a lot of thought and love into any decision you make. And in the meantime, guard those fingers and toes!!

[catmandu]

There must be a Furr Ever Home , where Scrappy Paddingtom ,can be the Solo Cat! I wish that I could help , but The Found Cats wont all move out! Prayers are coming for You!

[sasvermont]

Deary CCL,

Your obligation to Mr. Magoo, is too keep him safe and healthy. Happiness is subjective. He is pretty much in control of how happy he is.....My guess is that he will take lots of time and care to fit in any household. If the kitty boy isn't working out for you, I would medicate him to the hilt and then rehome him, allowing the new meowmie all the preparation and forethought you / she/ he can muster.

He is so darn cute. As long as he can manage to control the situation, he will, even though he doesn't know that it is because he is cute and seemingly sweet!

I would also consider contacting a cat behaviorist.....they usually charge about $35 an hour. Bet it would take 10 minutes to figure this guy out!

Rush right to the pharmacy for the pills my dear, you will see all the difference in the world in him. No kidding.

Good luck.

SAS