Cat Anger/Hostility

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Paul Enterline - 22 May 2004 18:00 GMT

Lunchtime is the customary time when I give "Hairball" a treat of some
sort. First he amicably rubs against my leg but then, if I do respond
fast enough for his liking, he lashes out and angrily swats my leg
with his claws and nips at me.

Hairball is also cranky in other ways. Frequently he just looks
annoyed and irritable. Sometimes he looks at me with obvious distain,
despite the excellent care he receives. I think he has an anger
problem.

Is this normal cat behavior?

He is "fixed" and he is almost 8 years old.

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kaeli - 24 May 2004 14:07 GMT

> Sometimes he looks at me with obvious distain,
> despite the excellent care he receives.

This is normal cat behavior. They know they're better than us. Why hide
it? *LOL*

In all seriousness, if a dog nipped at his owner when he didn't get
attention, we'd know that the dog had his owner trained. Your cat has
trained you to give him attention when he wants it. Good deal for him.
Not so good for you.
The next time he swats and nips to get you to pet him, make him go away.
Put him in another room for a few minutes and do NOT give him the treat.
He will learn that he gets the treat for being good, not for being bad.

HTH

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James Marz - 24 May 2004 19:22 GMT

> Lunchtime is the customary time when I give "Hairball" a treat of some
> sort. First he amicably rubs against my leg but then, if I do respond
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> He is "fixed" and he is almost 8 years old.

That is not normal cat behavior. Time to put the cat down Paul. It
might have rabies, has it been around any racoons? They are notorious
for spreading rabies.

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