Tabby Cats And Kitten Videos

Question: Should i return my tabby cat?

(Posted by: on 2012-01-29 11:46:37)

I love cats. Even though I am a guy, I still prefer them over dogs ever since I was a toddler. I can recall asking my parents if we can adopt a cat for years and years since I was like 3 years old. All of my family members has had either a cat or dog if they wanted one at least once, except for me. So a decade after I first wanted a cat (now that I am 13) I get one. He is a gray tabby cat and although I was supposed to choose the cat, my parents chose him for me because I was at school. I thought he'd be like 1- 2 months old since I have always wanted a cat since he/ she was a baby. But he was 4 months old already. So I suck it up and he keeps on biting me, messing up furniture (especially in christmas time), not letting me pick him up, and sometimes even attacking me and my little brother (almost bit my 5 year old brothers face) without us doing anything. Sometimes he does seem like a nice kitten but mostly, not one. I have had thoughts on returning him, but I know that that will be sad because I wont see him ever again. Now I'm stuck with an aggressive cat that I didn't even choose but nor do I want to return. What should I do? P.S. I just now tried to pick him up and he nearly bit me but I moved back my elbow just in time but I hit it with my wooden chair. I have had the cat for 2.5 months now. I try to train him but he doesn't understand.

Posted by: Rebecca on 2012-01-29, 11:51:52

The cat you have is 4 months old! He won't have sharp teeth and will think everything is a game! Although, if he is biting, you need to start training him at this young age. If you really want more help about how to train him properly, phone your local vet.

Posted by: monkey breath on 2012-01-29, 11:55:33

I've had a lot of cats over my lifetime and they're all so different. But they also all have one thing in common: you just can't pick up a cat that doesn't want to be picked up. They truly are their own masters. I have a cat who loves to be picked up and one who hates it. So you just respect how each of them are and let them be that way. Here's the thing: they both love to come in my lap and cuddle, but only on their terms. They'll do that when the trust is there, but every time you try to pick up a cat that doesn't want to be picked up, you're breaking that trust a little bit. Sometimes it takes a long time to get that trust. Also, young cats often will scratch and bite you by instinct. If you try to pet a kitten and it scratches you, the proper way to react is usually to let your hand go limp. In most cases, this shows the cat that your hand is not something to scratch/ play with and they'll stop. If you truly love cats, then you can't just return a cat because they don't have the personality you were looking for. Besides, that personality changes with age, and a lot of the way they turn out is dependent on how you treat them now. Get to know this one as an individual, be patient with him, and chances are you guys will be good old buddies in time.

Posted by: Lauren on 2012-01-29, 11:58:35

My kittens are about 4 months and I've had them since they were tiny, they still bite me, attack me and mess up all of the furniture. In the wild the mother cat teaches the kittens how to hunt and attack prey. That is why kittens usually pounce on you and bite you, but they're only playing, you're just going to have to teach them how to behave. Non of the cats I've ever had have enjoyed being picked up, it just depends on the cat. You need to spend time trying to bond with the cat, try using toys and treats to help them learn to trust you, it will take time but the kitten should learn to love you.

Posted by: Sorrystaff on 2012-01-29, 12:06:37

Some cats are deaf, so first make sure he came hear you. If not or he still doesn't listen, go to your local dollarama and buy a spray bottle. cat's learn fast. Also, give him a light nose smack, that's what i did for my orange tabby, and he even knocks on doors now! Sometimes, cats want attenshion too, so try that first. do not give up the cat, because you are giving up a new experiance.

Posted by: Helen Rempel on 2012-01-29, 12:11:54

Well, I don't blame your parents for picking out the cat themselves--kids have a tendency to glom onto a kitten or puppy with total disregard for the pet's suitability--but it seems they might have made a poor choice. Perhaps this kitty was not raised around kids and would do better in an adult home. Have you spoken to your folks about it? What have they said? For sure if he bites your 5 year old brother's face, your parents won't want to keep him. So it's better that he find a new home now, before he gets a reputation as a biter. Is it possible for him to be returned to the breeder or shelter you got him from? Next time, get a kitty that has been raised with kids. Actually, with a 5 year old in the house, you'd be better off getting an adult cat with a proven record of being tolerant towards little kids. Little kids can do mean and hurtful things to a pet, and a baby kitty wouldn't be able to get away or defend itself, or might get dropped. (I'm not saying your brother is mean, but he's too young to understand and might inadvertently injure a baby kitty.) I suggest you pick a time when mom isn't busy, sit down and tell her that you don't think this kitten is working out. Discuss the things he's done, especially the biting, and express concern over your little brother getting hurt. Tell her you've been thinking about sending the kitty back (if it can go back, otherwise say re-home) and getting a young adult cat that is gentle and tolerant around little kids. End up by asking her what she thinks. She should be impressed that you are showing such a mature and responsible attitude. Hopefully your parents will take you along next time to get your input when picking out a cat. I suggest you go to a shelter, first without your little brother (or HE will glom onto a cat, lol, and wail if it's not the one you take home). Maybe just with mom. The two of you pick out a likely candidate or two. Ask the shelter staff which cats are good around kids and likes to be carried--they might have a suggestion. Choose one that is friendly and comes right to you and interacts with you. See how it behaves when you pick it up. Sit down on the floor and put it in your lap. It's okay for the cat to be a bit nervous--it doesn't know you, after all--but you don't want one that starts to panic. You also don't want a cat who sits off by itself, no matter how cute it is. Then ask for the cat to be put "on hold " so you can go home and get your little brother to make sure that the cat gets along okay with him too. Good luck. EDIT: First, NO cat should try to bite when being picked up (unless of course he is in pain due to an injury). That is totally unacceptable. Wiggling to get down, fine. Second, the parents should be helping train the cat not to bite. No excuses for a 6 month old kitten to put his teeth on a human being, or even threaten to. NONE. And when there is a small child in the family, this is just an accident waiting to happen. Third, people whose cats don't enjoy being picked up, aren't in the best position to give advice here....my cats love to be picked up and cuddled. With cats, you get back what you put into them. Lastly, of COURSE a cat can be re-homed if it isn't working out, and in fact should be, for the sake of the family AS WELL AS the cat! If the family isn't happy and ends up disliking the cat, what kind of home is that? Maybe this cat would do wonderfully with an older couple who have no kids. A neighbor of mine has a rescue cat that seldom interacts with anyone, it just enjoys being in the same room and getting an occasional pat. And that is exactly the kind of cat this neighbor *wants*. She doesn't have a lot of time, is busy with her job and her grandkids, so it works out great for both of them. No one is saying to throw the cat out on the street. The OP is obligated to either return the cat to where he got it so the shelter/ breeder can find a better match, or else re-home the cat himself, taking the necessary time to interview people and make sure they understand the cat's problems/ behaviors and are willing and able to cope.

Posted by: Marielle on 2012-01-29, 12:12:12

At 4 months your 'cat' is just a kitten...and a boy...he's loaded with energy! In nature he would be play-fighting with his litter mates at this point in his developement. He's just being a normal playful youngster! The problems are coming from the way you are trying to interact with him. Get a cat toy, such a one with a long handle with a feather or a mouse, etc on the end. Dangle the feather in front of him. He will attack the feather because that's what his instincts are telling him to do! Draw the feather along the floor for him to chase, then arch it up into the air like a bird taking off and he will leap up to catch it! After playing like this for 10 or 15 minutes, he will be tired. that will be the time to pet him. Gradually work into picking him up, as lots of cats dislike being held. But eventually he will get to where he seeks you out to cuddle with when he's ready for nap. Be patient and gentle with him. NEVER hit him...even when he strikes first! Oh, and don't forget kitty treats! You will be rewarded with a loving, adoring companion for many, many years! I wish you the best of luck! : )

Posted by: xstrike0 on 2012-01-29, 20:58:43

I agree with the answer above that says that you should not tolerate biting. Some cats are just wired wrong or not meant to be in a home. I would get him checked out to make sure its not a medical issue. Try squirting him with a water bottle or drenching him in the shower if he gets really aggressive. That worked to break the aggression of my male cat. My female aggressive cat ended up having some medical problems that were causing her pain and fixing those fixed her aggression. If you can't put an end to it. Return the cat/

Posted by: Lisa on 2012-01-30, 16:46:13

If he is untrainable see a vet.Either you need a good training program or your kitte has raibies.