More on Ice Princess Lizzie

[sirrahbed]

Lizzie is starting to act like she is wild. I have written before about her...Now she is even biting. I clipped her nails last night and as usual she screamed and scratched me. So, I wrapped her in a towel burrito and she chomped into my hand OOUCH!! She also bit me a few days ago when I tried to pet her!! I saw it coming so she just barely caught and bit the ends of my fingers - I approached her while she was sleeping on top of the couch - usually that is the only time I can touch her - when she is sleepy.

She stares at me alot...like this picture - she watches me and her eyes are so gorgeous but they also are distant and scary don't you think?? Neither hubby or I can pet her without her shrinking away from our touch. She will NOT approach for attention - just stares at us.

I laughed at her for growling when she had this toy - but this look she has here is also what she gives to us. I had hoped the spay might help but that was three weeks ago and she seems worse. When we feed the kitties - she stands back and watches. It is that watching that is so odd...


To me, she looks fearful and not at all trusting She has also turned on mama cat Emily - growling at her if she tries to groom her Robbie still goes and cuddles with Emily but no more Lizzie. She growls quite often now.
Her health seems perfect - as far as eating, drinking and playing with Robbie. She also attacks her toys as always and plays with them.
Someone had suggested separating her and seeing if that would help. I have her set up in our largest bathroom today with her favorite bed and toys, litterpan, food, water.
I thought I would go in alone several times aday and spend time with her just sitting and talking to her like a feral kitty. She acts feral!!
I am so sad about her Now, Robbie is upset and will not leave the doorway where she is. There is no crack under the door - but he is laying there quietly facing the door.
I don't know what I should do. This biting us is new in the past few weeks. She doesn't just nip eaither - it is an angry bite and she has pierced the web of my hand between thumb and index finger. (I am keeping it clean, etc. It looks fine) - just hurts but mostly it hurts my insides that she did this I don't care about the *bite*.
Can anyone give me more suggestions?? It seems our happy family is not happy anymore. It really is not new - I just kept thinking she would warm up and love us. I actually feel afraid of her.

[jazzcat]

Oh Debbie I'm sorry. I had hoped the spay would help and it looked like it was with those lap pictures a week or so ago. Maybe some Feliway would help settle her a little. Other than that I don't know. Hopefully others can offer some helpful advice.

Hang in there, she may just be a tough cookie to crack.

[NoahsMommy]

I'm sorry your having a setback with Lizzie girl.

What about talking to a behavioralist? Everything I've heard about them is really good.

Do you think that Lizzie could be feeling sick at all? Was Lizzie a feral baby? Are she and Robbie littermates? Is this new for her?

Our kitty, Hermie is our feral cat. We cannot approach her without her seeing us. I always greet her before I touch her, otherwise, she'll run away. I also cannot walk past her quickly or without her knowing where I'm going, she'll run and hide.

She does a significant amount of growling and acting wild when she plays. She too, will only come to us for attention if we are in bed - safe?

I hope things get better. I wish I had something to offer you, I know this must be so hard for you. All you want to give is your love and its so hard when they are fearful.

Hugs to you.

[catmandu]

You dont,sadly,know what Lizzie,has been through,in her life,taht makes her so edgy.just keep,on loving her,and I think,that you will break through.Scratchy,the Stray,taht I am keeping alive,still tkes swipes,at me,and I have been,his friend,for over a year,now!

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy
What about talking to a behavioralist? Everything I've heard about them is really good.

Do you think that Lizzie could be feeling sick at all? Was Lizzie a feral baby? Are she and Robbie littermates? Is this new for her?

I talked to my vet and techs and they have never heard of a "behavioralist" - my vet actually chuckled when I asked. Small town I guess...and this is Ohio...

She does not seem sick at all and this behavior is not really new - just seems worse and (frustrating) as I kept thinking the spay would help and ......patience. We have had her for four months now and she is six months old. She and Robbie are littermates, yes, and Robbie is a total opposite. He is like a sweet puppy dog, loves attention and always seeking it and lovey-dovey. He loves to be picked up and snuggled anytime.

Oh yes and about attention in bed....during the night when I am sleeping - I have awakened several times to find her at my face and sniffing. I pretend to be asleep and afraid to move most times - though a couple times I reached out and petted her several times and she stayed briefly and then ran off.
I know - probably just "how she is" but it is like having a stranger in the house.

She *will* get on the bed with us - but stays at the foot and watches us.

Gary: she has had a pampered life - was raised with Robbie at Kim's home - born right there at her home of a very sweet mamacat and then came right to us.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I am so sorry that sweet Lizzie is having behavior problems. I really have no idea how you can help her. Maybe your vet can give you some advize?? Good luck with your Maya-look-a-like!!

[smokey the elder]

My former foster Cinnamon was very bitey at 6 months old. I had to just be patient with her, and give her "time out" if she bit. By this past New Year's she was a year and a half old and had way mellowed out, and turned into a mush and was finally adoptable.

You may want to handle Lizzie with heavy gloves at first; it sounds like she may need to be retrained, for whatever reason.

Good luck! Lizzie, stop biting your meowmie!

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by smokey the elder

You may want to handle Lizzie with heavy gloves at first; it sounds like she may need to be retrained, for whatever reason.

Good luck! Lizzie, stop biting your meowmie!

Thanks!! Well, she is isolated to the bathroom now - like I would a new kitty and I am planning to spend time in there and TRY to retrain her as if she was a newcomer I hope that works!! I was thinking of just sitting in there with her and talking or reading. I don't want to try to pick her up yet (OOUCH!!) but maybe I WILL have to use gloves??

I feel awful right now because she is howling and Robbie is so upset

[jenluckenbach]

I read an article that brought up the theory that the FATHER's genes may help make a cat easy to tame/hard to tame. And a litter of kittens CAN have multiple fathers. If this is the case, it could just be in her genes. (and she IS after all, a calico and they have minds of their own)


It is highly possible that she is overly sensitive and gets overstimulated easily. She may well grow out of this, but teaching (or I guess I really should say LEARNING) how to see the signs of an attack and stopping BEFORE she bites is key.

An example......a cat that gets overstimulated to the point of biting after 5 strokes........ you stroke the cat 4 times and STOP. Watch for the signs of attack....ears going back, tail twitching....you have to know Lizzie's signs.....Then try to strech the petting sessions out. Bonnie was a biter, but we rarely push her to that point now. (although the nail clip usually does it)

Lizzie is GORGEOUS! And sometimes you just need a WHOLE lot of patience.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I have no advice about the fearful behavior, but I can tell you that Tanner was a bad "biter" from about 6-8 months. It took almost a year and half before he noticably mellowed out. Even now he still goes through stages. Every once in awhile I still use gloves to handle him. I just chaulk it up to him being him...

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
I read an article that brought up the theory that the FATHER's genes may help make a cat easy to tame/hard to tame.

Yes, I read about that too. Maybe this is just how she is Do you think I am doing right by isolating her??? Like, thinking time away from Robbie might make her less dependant on him? I haven't been in with her yet - a little afraid of her right now.

[christa]

DEBBIE!!! Lizzie is Josie made over!!! Seriously girl, don't worry about it!

When I read your first post, I was about to fall over because she sounds exactly like Josie acted after we got her spayed! EXACTLY!!!

Josie is almost a year and a half and is just now coming to us to be held! It has been shocking but I'm glad that she is FINALLY warming up to us!

Josie did the whole biting thing . . . stared a hole in me all the time . . . and yes, there were times that I felt scared of her. Hubby used to always laugh because he said it was as though she were "picking" on me . . . and that's exactly what it felt like!

In my opinion, I don't think you should separate her. I really think that this is just going to be her personality. If she's as much like Josie as she seems to be, she'll snap out of it in a few months (fingers crossed)

If you need to talk anymore, PM me!!! Honey, I've been through this! I know how bad you feel, but there's really nothing that you can do about it! Just gotta wait it out!

Hang in there

[Lacey]

I saw a suggestion here about Feliway. You might also want to consider Rescue Remedy. A few drops in her water for a few days may help to mellow her out. Goodness knows it helped with Mowg.

Beyond that, stick with resocializing. No touchies if you think there's going to be biting. Just watch her body language and do your best to guess at what she's ready for. If you think she's ready for some petting, give it a shot. Maybe try petting her with a back scratcher first so those hands are out of teeth range. If you can get her set up in a cage, try letting her watch you love on the other kitties, and maybe that'll get her to wanting love from you.

[Logan]

Originally posted by jenluckenbach
I read an article that brought up the theory that the FATHER's genes may help make a cat easy to tame/hard to tame. And a litter of kittens CAN have multiple fathers. If this is the case, it could just be in her genes. (and she IS after all, a calico and they have minds of their own)


It is highly possible that she is overly sensitive and gets overstimulated easily. She may well grow out of this, but teaching (or I guess I really should say LEARNING) how to see the signs of an attack and stopping BEFORE she bites is key.

An example......a cat that gets overstimulated to the point of biting after 5 strokes........ you stroke the cat 4 times and STOP. Watch for the signs of attack....ears going back, tail twitching....you have to know Lizzie's signs.....Then try to strech the petting sessions out. Bonnie was a biter, but we rarely push her to that point now. (although the nail clip usually does it)

Lizzie is GORGEOUS! And sometimes you just need a WHOLE lot of patience.

I have two, just like that. Mimi has gotten worse about this habit in her old age (15).

Debbie, her eyes look "wild" in all of those pictures. Perhaps this is a phase for her. I hope that's all it is. Wish I had some good advice, but I have none and I have the scars to prove it, for sure.

[NoahsMommy]

Debbie,

I want to tell you, that when I figured out the Hermione is just "one of those cats", it helped me a lot. I couldn't understand how I could raise five loving cats (and then three more after her) and have her as a tiny bitty kitten only to have her be terrified of people, even us!

Its horribly saddening. I completely understand.

That's wierd they haven't heard of a behavioralist. Hmmm...what about doing a search online or contacting your local humane society?