BehavioRx Case of the Month
for July 1997

An Attack Cat

If your cat has attacked you, the elements of this case may parallel some of your own experiences. Mrs. X was comfortably settled before her television set for the evening when Toby, her intact, male 'tabby,' jumped onto her lap, which was his usual habit. He lay there as Mrs. X began absent-mindedly stroking him. Toby began purring graciously, which wasn't unusual. After a few minutes Toby began kneading with his forepaws on Mrs. X's bathrobe. She stopped stroking and said, "No, Toby. Be a good boy." Toby withdrew his claws, whereupon Mrs. X turned her attention back to the TV and started stroking him again. She didn't realize that Toby had started, then had been forced to stop, the onset of a feline precopulatory aggressive display. Most cats cope these situations quite well. However, when they don't--big trouble explodes like a hand grenade.

As Mrs. X continued softly petting Toby, he resumed purring, but began salivating as well. After a few more minutes Toby was extending his claws more vigorously, right through Mrs. X's rather thick bathrobe. When he scratched her skin, the response was as had happened many times before: She stopped stroking Toby and said, "Ouch! You hurt me. You're a bad boy and now you have to get down." She grabbed the aroused pet to put him off her lap, only to be horrified by a scream of outraged feline fury. Before she could react, Toby turned and firmly fastened his claws and fangs deep into her forearm! She tried in vain to shake him off, then grabbed him by the scruff of the neck with her other hand to pull him away. The pain was searing. She tugged even harder with her free hand, and finally, literally ripped the enraged cat from her arm and threw him onto the couch beside her.

Toby was not intimidated. He turned, leaped, and dug into Mrs. X's face! Mrs. X's screams were now even louder than the cat's as she felt Toby's fangs sink into the flesh of her right eyebrow and eyelid. Summoning all her strength, Mrs. X again tore the cat off and threw the snarling animal across the room. As soon as he hit the floor, Toby reeled, snarled and raced back toward Mrs. X, who ran for the front door of the apartment. Her bloody hand slipped on the knob as she felt Toby attacking her calf. It took both bloody hands to turn the knob. She struggled through the door, closing it on her leg above Toby's head. Using the door jamb as leverage, she pulled outward, scraped the snarling cat from her calf and ankle, slammed the door and sank to the floor in tears. Fortunately, her neighbors arrived and insisted she go with them to the emergency hospital immediately. Otherwise, Mrs. X could have returned to the apartment too quickly and risked another attack. As it happened, Toby's infuriated yowling continued for at least fifteen minutes before he quieted.

When Mrs. X did go into the apartment, her landlord was along, armed with a large, thick blanket, ready to wrap up Toby. To their amazement, the cat was lying on the couch, serenely grooming himself. He was back to his old self. Mrs. X telephoned her veterinarian and was referred for professional behavioral assistance. The following explanation and program salvaged her relationship with Toby.

Sexual Basis
Mrs. X's gory story illustrates the primitive nature of our feline friends in response to prolonged stroking which can be sexually stimulating. This behavior is controlled by hormones. Petting often triggers internal hormone responses and leads to aggressive behavior. Unfortunately, once the surge of these hormones begins, the resulting aggressive behavior seems to have to run a course of many minutes in some cats.

Once his behavior was understood, Mrs. X asked a reasonable question: "Do I have to give up petting Toby or be attacked every time by him?" The answer is "No," but with extremely important qualifications.

Neutering Can Help
In intact male cat, neutering can be a valuable aid. Sexually stimulated aggression can be lowered substantially, sometimes totally. Unless the male is valuable breeding stock, it is the kindest step, since an intact tom suffers when he cannot fulfill his sexual aims. Cat fights and urination around the house when a nearby female cat are the two of the most common side effects of this kind of frustration. Your veterinarian can advise you of other benefits and help in dietary planning to avoid the obesity many owners fear is inevitable after neutering.

BEHAVIORAL CORRECTIONS
Here are simple corrective procedures that have been highly successful, both in mild and severe cases. A common element in most aggressive cats is a lack of proper play between the owner and the pet. Start having short, intensive five to fifteen minute morning and evening play sessions: Toss a toy on a string; jerk it around so the cat chases and pounces. This provides needed exercise, while he expresses predatory, playful or serious aggression toward articles other than you!

Control Petting
In addition to daily play sessions and neutering, the third step involves controlling petting. Most of us are extremely sensitive to the moods of our pets. Therefore, when you feel that the cat is in one of "those" moods, make the petting brisk and quick; no more than five to ten seconds. At other times, longer stroking is all right, except when the cat starts that tell-tale kneading with his forepaws, starts salivating, or seems otherwise to be getting aroused. When that happens the petting must be shifted to play with one of those favorite toys discussed earlier.

STALKING AND ATTACKING
Many young cats enjoy behaving like predators, which can be troublesome when their owners are the chosen prey. People are not amused when, leaping suddenly out from a hiding place their cat tries to 'kill' an ankle. If the usual shout or screech from the terrified owner doesn't also terrify the cat and curtail the attacks, a collar with a small bell on the 'predator' sometimes works wonders. "Belling the cat" helps you to keep track of him and avoid an attack by distracting him to some other activity, such as chasing a toy.

Some cats are put off when one of the commercial cat repellents has been sprayed or daubed onto the owner's feet and legs. Extra dry, unscented deodorant spray has also been successful, probably due to its 'drying' effect on the cat's tongue and mouth, as happens to human underarms. It is very important to hold intensive morning play sessions with a toy on the end of a string with predatory cats.

Previous Cases

June 1997
May 1997
April 1997
March 1997
February 1997
January 1997
December 1996
November 1996
October 1996

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