When cats attack, they’re often hurt or scared
By Christie Keith
October 22, 2008
This week in our Pet Connection syndicated newspaper feature:
Here’s a rule to remember when it comes to dealing with feline aggression: Never, ever hit your cat.
While it may make you feel better — at least in the short run — a smack won’t help you change a cat who appears to delight in sinking teeth and claws into you at seemingly unpredictable moments.
Fear and pain can cause a cat to lash out. The best way to deal with a scared cat is to let him be, while a sick cat needs a veterinarian. But most times what we see as “meanness” in a cat is just part of being a cat. You can change this behavior, but only if you understand what’s behind it and react properly.
Along with a look at the causes of feline “meanness,” Gina and Dr. Becker have suggestions for redirecting and learning not to trigger aggressive behavior.
Gina also discusses the ins and outs of working with veterinary specialists, and in The Pet Buzz, Dr. Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon raise an issue that came up many times during last year’s pet food recall:
In his farewell address as president of the American Medical Association, Dr. Ronald M. Davis stressed the importance of physicians and veterinarians working together for public health. Speaking of the AMA’s new relationship with the American Veterinary Medical Association, Davis stressed that of the roughly 1,500 diseases now recognized in humans, about 60 percent move across species. During the past three decades, he said, three-quarters of newly emerging human infectious diseases have been animal diseases transmitted to humans.
Check out facts about feline obesity, a discussion of rabies vaccines for cats, and my review of Dr. Nick Trout’s book “Tell Me Where It Hurts”:
The phone rings in the middle of the night, and veterinary surgical specialist Dr. Nick Trout races to Angell Animal Medical Center. Sage, an old German shepherd, the deathbed gift of her owner’s late wife, is fighting for her life.
When Trout arrives, he finds the dog panting in agony, her stomach twisted and bloated. He kneels to examine her and, as their eyes meet, her tail thumps in greeting.
“This selfless creature placed more importance on the simplicity of a human connection than on the unrelenting pain she was more than prepared to endure,” he writes in “Tell Me Where It Hurts” (Broadway Books, $23). “If ever a dog deserved a chance, this dog did.”
Find out what happened to Sage, and more, in this week’s Pet Connection!
The bit about feline aggression couldn’t have been more timely for me.
My cat, a DLH brown tabby I agreed to rescue from behaviour-motivated euthanasia at the age of 7, bit me last night.
No, it wasn’t hard. In fact, it didn’t even break the skin. But it was so shocking. I was merely petting him after a much-adored grooming session. (I like to mellow him out with soothing petting and cooing after all the excitement of grooming.)
Despite all the dire warnings of declawed cats learning to bite (his previous owner had him declawed at age 2), he’s been nothing but a joy, really. (His alleged behaviour problems magically halted as soon as he walked in the door to my home, 12 years ago, too.)
It is true, he’s intolerant of strangers, and will hiss at them, and maybe even motion as if to bite, if they persist in trying to engage him. But bite me? He’s 19-years-old now and has bitten me, just once, several years ago. On that occasion, he got himself desperately tangled in something, and I had to extricate him. That was a nasty one. …Right through the palm of my hand. I have the scars to remind me.
But that was a unique situation. He was truly in distress. He just “reacted.” Despite the blood and pain, I thought it was rather comical.
Last night was shocking and unexpected. We’d been having what could only be described as a “love-in.” Then, out of the blue, he bit me and hissed. (I’m not unfamiliar with cats who do this, after getting a bit “excited” from petting. It’s just never been in this cat’s repertoire.)
What could I do? After the shock wore off, I moved a cushion between us and “disengaged”. (I trained dogs for many years, and I always use “ignorance” as the first option, in not rewarding undesirable behaviour. I shouldn’t have to say I never, ever strike animals or yell at them.)
After the shock wore off for him, he hopped up on the back of the sofa, and walked around just behind me. He got into a nice, comfortable position, with his front paws dangling near my shoulder.
When I was “ready” (hey, I’m only human), I invited him back down beside me. Pals again.
Comment by Marjorie — October 22, 2008 @ 6:06 am
I teach pet first aid and CPR classes. When teaching the section on safe restraint of injured pets we note that: An injured dog may bite you. And injured cat WILL bite you!
Comment by Janeen — October 22, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
So true, Janeen!
You know, I have comfortable box muzzles for all the dogs and cloth full-face muzzles for the cats as part of my disaster kit. Hope I never need them, but I have them nonetheless.
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but in Italy dogs are required to wear box muzzles to ride on public transportation. I would happily, happily acclimate my dogs to comfortable box muzzles to be able to go EVERYWHERE with them.
Pic of my friend’s Galgo, Anna, on vacation in Italy, riding a tram to the top of a mountain for a hike:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/henk/976786823/
Comment by Gina Spadafori — October 22, 2008 @ 2:38 pm
Oh - that photo is hilarious! Such a sweet girl in that huge muzzle!
I’ve got a full set of good quality basket muzzles here. Both because I regularly work with aggressive dogs and to demo for the first aid classes. My dogs ALL get conditioned to wear them. Getting the animal used to it when they aren’t hurt and/or terrified is definately the way to go.
We also show folks how to improvise a muzzle out of a strip of cloth or gauze. It’s a good skill to know.
Comment by Janeen — October 22, 2008 @ 6:19 pm
The cat’s age is a huge factor. Let’s call it Cat-Alzheimers………
I had a cat that was a ‘stray’. She pushed herself off on my family when she was approx.one yr.old. She came out of nowhere & would ‘swing by her nails off my screen door. Or jump onto my legs if I were kneeling when gardening. Finally, I gave in. I took her to the Humane Society to be checked out. I was advised that she was approx. 7 mo.old & pregnant. As soon as they advised “surgery”, I was committed. I was 32 yrs. old & had 2 children & had moved from N.J. to Fl. W/O financial assistance from my ex. SOMEHOW, I ‘found’ the money to take care of this cat who reminded me of ME - LOL.
Long story ‘somewhat’ short: During her 19th year, she started to pee on my bed while I was at work. I can’t tell you how many times I had to change my linens!!!! Finally, a vet tech ‘tuned’ me in. I was ‘freed’ from guilt when I realized my precious cat was NOT the cat I knew & loved. THAT cat was already “gone”. I was left with a ‘shell’. Same concept as when my mother died of CA 2 yrs.ago. True? I believe so. It has helped me.
Beth of Fl.
Comment by Beth — October 23, 2008 @ 7:21 pm