Need help with a cat...

[Neat]

I know this is a dog forum, but I need some help about a cat. My girl friend, and her mangy ball of evil (you may have heard 'mangy ball of evil' referred to by some as a cat) have moved in with me. The cat hates me. That, in itself, is no big deal. I couldn't care less whether her spawn of satan thinks the world of me or not. Unfortunately, he attacks me at every opportunity. I bleed on average of twice a week because of this little furry piece of Hell. I've tried everything I can think of-

Ignoring him completely, lavishing affection on him, giving him the most expensive cat treats I could find, and most recently I tried fighting back. Nothing has changed his behavior.

I've given up on the cat liking me, right now I'd settle for avoidance. I tried whooping his ass a little bit, and all it did was make things worse. How can I get this little bastard to leave me the Hell alone?

I asked this on a cat site, and all I got was a bunch of sissy pant's style advice about rubbing vapor rub on my socks and watching for 'pre-attack' signals. I am looking for something like, "Wear his out with a wooden spoon soaked in tomatoe juice, he'll never mess with you again."

Anyone got any idea's? I don't have the heart to kill him, and I like the girl too much to kick her to the curb over the cat.

Thought's?

[Taeric]

I don't know how helpful this will be, but my cats absolutely hate being sprayed with water (especially if there's a bit of lemon juice or other citrus in it). Obviously you're not going to keep a spray bottle close at hand just in case the cat is on the prowl, but you could always have one beside the couch (or wherever you spend lots of time at home) and give it a spray or two whenever the cat happens to stroll by. Maybe you both can learn to live a life of mutual avoidance.

[Doberman's]

Well, for starters, I love cats, they are awesome creatures. You just need to understand them a bit better.

Hurting the cat is not the answer and is cruel, also you girlfriend maybe the one doing the kicking to the curb if she finds out what you are doing to her beloved kitty.

I have a cat that doesn't like many people ( I have 6 cats, 3 indoors and 3 barn cats ) it took my cat a year or two to actually start to like my BF at the time ( now my hubby ). He was never mean to her ,however. He basically ignored her or would try to pet her once in awhile.She did come around once she got to know him and he got to know her better. It can take time.

Do not hit or abuse the cat or it will get worse the cat will retailiate against you and for sure your girlfriend will find out what you are doing. Abuse of any kind is wrong no matter how you look at it, this cat is much smaller then you.

I don't agree with your approach to this cat, you need to back off the cat and stop hurting it, you are being far too agressive and abusive from what you have said.

If all else fails ignore the cat.

[Neat]

I love animals too. When I say I whooped his ass a little bit, I mean exactly that. I gave him a light smack on the ass with a magazine, and locked him the bathroom for about 15 minutes.

Waiting it out isn't an option. I've been bitten to the point of bleeding an average of twice a week for 6 months. I'm sick of it. I realize he is smaller than me, but I have just as much right to walk around my home not fearful of being attacked as he does. You said it yourself, "Abuse of any kind is wrong, no matter how you look at it." It's wrong for me to abuse him, but him literally trying to kill me twice a week is OK? You try laying in bed in the middle of the night holding in urine because you know that if you get up to pee your ankles will end up bleeding. It friggen sucks. We've tried locking him in his porta-pet at night, but he howls for hours. We are 100% out of idea's.

I've tried bribing him with expensive cat treats, ignoring him, giving him wet cat food, and everything else I can think of. He hates me because he is jealous of the attention his mom gives me and I don't know how to explain to him that he is not being replaced, and all that jazz.

My girl friend is 100% on board with me, and if a light ass kicking with a spoon will get him to leave me alone she's all for it. Like I said, at this point a life of mutual avoidance is more than acceptable.

Any constructive idea's are appreciated, thanks.

The only thing I can think of is to maybe getting a dog. A small lab or something that will be protective of me, and that can explain to the cat (through fist-to-cuffs if necessary) that I am not a person he can attack at will.

Any idea's on how to discipline the cat when he bites me?

[Taeric]

First off, there is a huge difference between physically abusing an animal and give is a mild tap. One of my cats is very free with his claws (he loves to kneed with them as all cats do, but he takes it to extremes). A little tap on the backside or nose (when I say little, I'm talking about a tap that wouldn't break the skin on a grape) straightens his right out. Due to their independent nature, cats don't respond very well to either positive or negative reinforcement. I've been working on my boy for five years; he's lovable as ever (the epitome of a lap cat), but the clawing is a persistent annoyance.

Anyway, back to your problem, give the water bottle idea a shot. It causes no physical harm at all, and it will keep the two of you apart. Since the middle of the night is a concern, you could just spray the bottle a few times. I very rarely ever need to use a bottle anymore, but when I do (for example, when a cat guys under/behind something in a room that I need to get them out of), they know the sound of the bottle even if the spray doesn't come close to them.

Normally I would just say wait and hope, but the six months you've already invested is quite a long time for the cat to get used to you. Good luck!

[Doberman's]

Good post and advice Taeric. 100% in agreement.

Cats do not repsond well to physically reprimands; they get worse, one reason your girlfriends cat may be getting worse towards you. Is there any possibilty she can find him a new home ? It is obvious you two do not get along and if it has to come down the the cat getting beat with a " spoon " then it is time to find him a new and loving home where there is no threat of him being hurt.

You said it yourself,"Abuse of any kind is wrong, no matter how you look at it." It's wrong for me to abuse him, but him literally trying to kill me twice a week is OK?

The statement I made in regards to you quoting me,was meant in terms of humans abusing animals, animals do not think and reason as we do, the cat is not " abusing " you, the cat is either playing with you or he is scared of you and protecting himslef from you by biting you, that is how they think.

My older cat use to attack my feet as I slept and also my hubby's feet after he moved in. It is what cats do, almost every cat will do that at least once in his/her lifetime, especailly if it is a younger cat. She was put off the bed every time she did it and not in a way that would hurt her, but pushed off.

This cat probably views you as an intruder, he was there first after all. You need to understand cats better to understand why he is acting the way he is.Truthful, they only way to know a cat is to live with one or two.

Honestly I would see if your girlfriend can find him a new home, sounds like that would be in the best interest of both of you, you and the cat. How old is he ? I do like the water bottle idea as well, try that first.

[Taeric]

the cat is either playing with you or he is scared of you and protecting himslef from you by biting you, that is how they think.That or the cat is an evil mastermind determined to get you out of the picture. There's a Stephen King short story in Everything's Eventual about a situation very similar to this (except the husband bought the wife a cat for their anniversary, and the cat absolutely hated her). In that story, the dynamic with the cat eventually contributed to the break up of the marriage (and other events in typical Stephen King fashion). I would definitely recommend that book as what not to do in your situation. ;)

Anyway, best of luck with the little beast. You just never know with cats; one day it might wake up and decide it's no longer work the effort to antagonize you.

[nancy]

I look after a nieghbours cat when they are on holiday it stays in it's own house and I go in to feed it and it used to hiss and spit at me and one day while I was putting her food in her bowl she actualy bit my hand, so now when I go in I bang on the door real loud she runs and hides and wont come out till I've gone. I hate going in there but they have no one else to look after the cat but I do know how you feel try the water spray cats hate water. Good Luck.

[Doberman's]

LOL Taeric !!! :D I have not read that Stephen King book!!! I love Stephen King, I am going to have to get that one.

[Becky]

Has the cat been taken to the vet to rule out a medical problem?

Consulting a behavioralist is another option.

Animals seem to have an innate ability to tell when someone doesn't like them. It sounds like you went in disliking cats? Is this the case or no?

I asked this on a cat site, and all I got was a bunch of sissy pant's style advice about rubbing vapor rub on my socks and watching for 'pre-attack' signals. I am looking for something like, "Wear his out with a wooden spoon soaked in tomatoe juice, he'll never mess with you again."

Is your goal to get this cat to ignore you or to hate you? I thought you want it to ignore you, so beating on it is only going to teach it one thing: he is right in thinking you are dangerous - he must protect himself from you.

This "sissy-pant's" ideas are your best bet. They will teach him that attacking you accomplishes nothing. You might also try wearing thick pants and a few pairs of socks for a comple nights. When he goes after you, ignore him. It just might teach him that you don't care and it's not worth his effort. If you ingnore him, in turn, you will prove him wrong: you are not dangerous - there is no need to protect himself from you.

Any idea's on how to discipline the cat when he bites me?

IMO, forget about disciplining or 'punishing' the cat (or any other animal). Work at altering his behavior in a nonconfrontational manner.

And, remember, cats and dogs are amoral. They don't do things to "spite" us; they don't know the difference between right and wrong. He's not attacking you because you and your GF spend time with one another... he's most likely doing it because your big and scary.

[Neat]

I had a couple cats as a child and didn't come into this harboring any ill will towards the cat, but it's to the point where I can't stand him.

He is 10 years old.

Relocating the cat to another family is not an option, he has senority over me. Although, everytime I bleed, the girl friend does get a little more sympathetic to my cause. Eventually, I suppose she'd be willing to let him go.

I've tried ignoring him. I usually jump when he attacks me, even if I know it's coming.

I'm going to try some type of cat calming scented plug-in in a couple, days. I'll report back with my results.

[Doberman's]

I never heard of cat calming scented plug ins. Hope they work.

Did you try the spray bottle yet ?

How long have you been with your new GF ? Honestly it can take months and months before the cat will tolerate you.

He is not too old to relocate if it comes down to that but hopefully not. I would hate to see him moved just because you and him don't get along. Good luck with him, be patient and he should eventually come around.