Serious behavior problem with Butter

[sasvermont]

We all remember Gabe, right? The Ragdoll kitty that moved from NJ to VT one fine spring day? Well, Gabe was a terror from time to time when living in NJ with Robyn and then when he moved to VT he became a docile, cuddly guy EXCEPT when he didn't get his way when I tried to bring him back inside the house. He would turn in to a lunatic. He bit my arm once, leaving a nasty skin break.......now that I am thinking about this, HIS bad behavior was only while outside.

Once, my neighbor was doing gardening and Gabe walked over to her, sat beside her and then proceeded to bite her hand every time she moved it. I had to extract him from the area so that she could continue to garden.

I had one other cat that bit me often but didn't go after the other cat, just me!

I really would consider a behaviorist - I think it was going to cost me $75 for a visit....... and they look at both cats' behavior ..... maybe the will review the situation and then give Mimi a GUN!

[Barbara]

Didn't see this thread until now.

I am so sorry. I never had any experience with an aggressive cat, but of course these teeth could hurt poor Mimi seriously.

Tigris sometimes bullies Filou - but Filou gives back and fends for himself. I wonder whether that could change if (and when ) Filou grows weaker. Possibly yes.

Keeping you and sweet Mimi and my friend Butter in my thoughts.

[Logan]

Barbara, you don't know how badly I hated to post this message because I didn't want to diminish your precious Butter in your eyes.

I have watched him like a hawk the last couple of days. He has walked up to her, and never even batted an eye at her. No aggression at all. Wonder if his shot mellowed him out a bit!

We see Dr. Robinson with Mimi next week. I'll keep you posted.

Logan

[Rachel]

Originally posted by catland
I started giving Strauss "time-outs" - locked in a back bedroom, when he got in one of these moods and it has helped also.

I know nothing about cats, but this makes a lot of sense. Of course I don't want to be the one to pick up Butter, scold him and put him in time-out.

Another thing I thought of was that if Butter has met his match with an aggressive cat in an out of door encounter, he may just be taking the opportunity to *take it out* on someone else. Not that if this were the case, it in anyway helps to solve the problem.

Poor Mimi. She is such a sweetheart.

[Barbara]

Butter will always and furrever be my friend.

I have been talking to my co-worker Gudrun (3 cats, after one passed away last year). Gudrun says to her opinion it would be a classic case for Bach flowers (www.bachflower.com)

She has treated Lisa who used to beat up the others with these and it worked. If I understand her right then you must find the cause for Butter's behavior. Is it more in him or in Mimi because the Bach flowers you use depend on that.

She thinks very highly about this therapy and she is in general not the esoteric type. I however have no experience.

Of course it would be better if you found a vet who had experience with them.

Anyway I wanted to tell you about it.

[sasvermont]

Barb, I think I will put a few gallons of this item in the water cooler here at the office. Folks might just be more fun to work with after a few sips of the special water!

Rescue Remedy is popular here but I never had any luck with it with my cats.

JuniRose could use a little Rescue Remedy, I do believe!

[jazzcat]

Logan, I'm so sorry to hear you are saving so much trouble with Butter. I know how scary that can be. I've lived with Ripley - who used to be a holy terror. Luckily I was the only one he attacked. I think he picked on me because he was my first cat and I didn't know how to react when he would stalk and chased me. I always ran and sometime screamed which excited him more and he would attack, that was as a very young cat. My vet thought neutering him would take care of the problem but it didn't. He even ripped open a vet tech's arm when he was in to be neutered. After that they wouldn't take him out for exams without the full staff there, a towel over Ripley - give him his shots and then stick him back in the carrier. The way they weighed him was to do it with him in the carrier and then have me bring the carrier by empty to weigh and do the math.

My vet said he thought Ripley had Feline Rage and wanted to put him on female hormones. This was back in the early 90s before sedating them was more acceptable. He did improve with no meds a little but I lived with his violent attacks which often came out of the blue. That is why I didn't ever get another cat for 10 years. I was afraid Ripley would kill it. To my surprise he took bringing Jazz in well and the last attack I suffered was about two weeks before we adopted her. He's never tried since.

I know this doesn't help you much but I wanted to share that one thing I did when he attacked was to put him in a room (usually the garage) to calm down. If my husband was around he would help pull Ripley off me and put him out there. Also, I discovered Ripley hated getting wet so I could spit on him to get him to release his bite on me. For a while I always carried a little spray gun on my belt. Sad I know.

I really feel for you. I was fortunate that Ripley never hurt another animal or human, just me. He's so big and strong it could be bad. He and I have a love/hate relationship but when it comes down to it I do love him I just hate the fear he put in me and the scars he left all over my body.

I hope you can get this worked out. I'm lucky that Rip is over 13 years old and just doesn't have it in him anymore.

[lizbud]

Logan,

I just now saw this thread. I'm sorry to hear about this new
aggression by Butter. Did you say that it happened more when
they are both outside? If Mimi checks out o k at the Vets, I would
consider having Butter checked out as well. I wish you luck with
this.

[Catsnclay]

Originally posted by Logan
Wonder if his shot mellowed him out a bit!

WHAT kind of a shot did the doctor give Butter? Have you tried the Feliway difusers?

Lucky bullies Fluffy a lot, but I atribute it to Fluffy getting older. Cats do sense sickness well before we do. Also when Lucky was sick he got a LOT of attention from Tim & I, and now when Fluffy comes to sit with Lucky & I, Lucky gets jealous. We quickly put a stop to all that with a firm "NO!!!" and Lucky backs down instantly.

Maybe Butter needs some Kitty Prosac

[momcat]

Hey, Logan! How is Butter doing?

[Barbara]

Yeah, I want to know too. I heard he behaved when Vermontcat was over but every nawtee kid is better when the auntie is visiting (at least we were when we were kids ):

[auggie]

Logan, what Rachel said makes a lot of sense.
That would explain why he only does it outside.
I hope he’s come down some. Poor Mimi! Give her some extra hugs from me.

[ramanth]

Just thinking about you, Butter, and Mimi.

Zam sometimes bullies Logan, but it's never been bad thankfully.

How are the kids?

[Logan]

Everyone is healthy. Whew! Sorry I didn't update this thread sooner, but I've been watching to see how he was acting. Ever since I wrote this post, he has been an angel, and has only bitten me once! That's the reason I'm wondering if he acted that way because of his skin being so messed up and uncomfortable. I sure do wish they could talk to us!

Whomever asked about the shot, it was cortisone and antibiotics to help him heal and eliminate the inflammation of his skin. He is taking a daily tablet now (not steroids) to see if it will help to keep this skin situation under control. So far, so good.

Of course it could be our extreme heat that is making him lethargic. We are still keeping them seperated when we are not outdoors with them, just to make sure Mimi is protected. We've even caught them sitting within a foot of each other in the past week. Go figure!!! No telling what drives that silly boy.

Thanks for your concern. I'll keep you posted.

Logan

[Barbara]

Oh that's anyway good news

I hope it was poor Butter itching and all. (I must admit that Tigris can be so moody- you frustrate him -by maybe not giving him a treat when he wants one- and he goes over and attacks Filou).

Maori kisses to Butter and headscritchies for Mimi