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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
I have a cat that we rescued about 4 years ago... He stalks and bites my son.
When he was a kitten, he would scratch my son up pretty bad.. It would look like someone took a razor to my son's back etc etc. It was awful and got to the point where it was either get rid of the cat, or get him declawed. (He scratched him very close to his eye) So we got him declawed. It broke my heart to do it, but he recovered very well.
He still bites. And he ONLY goes after my son.. There are times he'll bite my leg but I'll just shove him off and walk away... My son, who is MUCH smaller, is terrified of him when he looks like he's about to 'go after' him.. (Which is EVERY DAY.)
We keep a spray bottle around, but sometimes it is too late. Yesterday he got my son pretty bad and broke the skin. The same thing just happened. My son is not much bigger than the cat (he's a HUGE cat) so he will literally jump on my son and wrap his paws around him. It's TERRIFYING for my son. Just now I heard Aidan screaming and he was on the couch curled in a ball with the cat on top of him... He bite him twice on the neck.
We love this cat and don't want to give him up, but I can't stand how much he hurts my son... He is very loving to me, so he's not ALWAYS mean, but who will adopt a cat that bites? It breaks my heart to think about giving him up.
I don't know what to do... We've tried everything. Taught my son to leave the cat alone, use the spray bottle when he goes after him...
Message edited 8/16/2009 3:00:59 PM.
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Posted 8/16/09 2:59 PM  |
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PotofLuck06
Our Baby Boy Is Here!!!
Member since 11/06 13241 total posts
Name:
Betsy
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
I would talk to the vet and see if they recommend anything.
I wouldn't leave the cat and your son alone in the room together. You just never know.
Maybe try teaching the cat by discipline - such as when the cat bites your son (or anyone), you place the cat in a crate/cage for a period of time. When you release the cat, if it repeats the behavior, repeat the lock up. Maybe that will work.
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| Posted 8/16/09 4:07 PM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
we have a small apt so it's hard to separate them. I'll try the crate thing though.
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| Posted 8/16/09 10:11 PM |
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MeeshMosh
last month on leave!
Member since 6/08 4551 total posts
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
how does the spray bottle work??
also, this is going to sound REALLLLY weird... BUT since the cat really likes you, i would try and slowly re-introduce the cat to your son by YOU holding the cat and having your son pet him a little more each day... and eventually, as things progress, you can have your son feed the cat a treat, maybe dangle a toy above the cats head... ALL while you are holding the cat so the cat feels "safe", KWIM?
also -- if you "cuddle" with your son in front of the cat and show the cat that your son is a "good guy" that may make him feel more comfortable also.... cats can be b*tches sometimes and get really jealous when you give other people/pets attention in front of them... my cat gets jealous when i cuddle with my dog and DH lol
cats are soooo much harder to train than dogs -- but it can be done!
ETA: i also agree with the crate thing posted by the PP
Message edited 8/18/2009 9:23:30 AM.
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| Posted 8/18/09 9:22 AM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by MeeshMosh
how does the spray bottle work??
also, this is going to sound REALLLLY weird... BUT since the cat really likes you, i would try and slowly re-introduce the cat to your son by YOU holding the cat and having your son pet him a little more each day... and eventually, as things progress, you can have your son feed the cat a treat, maybe dangle a toy above the cats head... ALL while you are holding the cat so the cat feels "safe", KWIM?
also -- if you "cuddle" with your son in front of the cat and show the cat that your son is a "good guy" that may make him feel more comfortable also.... cats can be b*tches sometimes and get really jealous when you give other people/pets attention in front of them... my cat gets jealous when i cuddle with my dog and DH lol
cats are soooo much harder to train than dogs -- but it can be done!
ETA: i also agree with the crate thing posted by the PP
do you really think it might work?
He JUST got my son again very badly... broke the skin in THREE places on his back... and there is a bad bruise now... I am beside myself... I honestly just want to get rid of the cat I am so angry with him...
(i hate feeling that way)
The cat is now under a weighted laundry basket for time being.
I'm so upset.
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| Posted 8/20/09 9:25 PM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
I feel very bad for your son that he lives in fear everyday of his pet and is being physically attacked..
I think meeshmosh's idea of reintroducing your son to the cat is a good idea.
I think you need to forget the water bottle, it's obviously not working. Not a strong enough punishment for breaking skin on your child (IMO).
After he attacks your son, YOU (since he really loves you) need to physically remove him and confine him. I think the laundry basket is a good idea. The cat needs to know that this is not acceptable behavior and will not be tolerated.
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| Posted 8/21/09 8:12 AM |
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MeeshMosh
last month on leave!
Member since 6/08 4551 total posts
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by HeathKernandez
do you really think it might work?
He JUST got my son again very badly... broke the skin in THREE places on his back... and there is a bad bruise now... I am beside myself... I honestly just want to get rid of the cat I am so angry with him...
(i hate feeling that way)
The cat is now under a weighted laundry basket for time being.
I'm so upset.
i think if you combine my idea with the crate idea whenever he does something bad, i think it will def work.... Obviously, the cat feels like your son is threatening him (which obviously, i'm sure hes not, but i cant imagine another reason why the cat would randomly attack him) so if you make the cat feel safe in your arms, while re-introducing your son, the cat feels like, ohh well, if my owner likes this kid, i guess i should too  lol
its the same thing with introducing a dog to other dogs, the owner should hold the "new" dog so the other dogs feel that its an extension of the owner and they will feel less threatened... and the new dog will feel safe... thats also why i said you should "cuddle" with your son in front of the cat to show the cat that hes a good guy
it cant hurt... has the cat ever been hurt by a kid before?? i know my cat got his hair pulled out by a couple of kids when he was young, and even to this day, he hates kids... he wont go to bite them or anything, but he will just run away and hide if there are kids around
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| Posted 8/21/09 8:45 AM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by MeeshMosh
Posted by HeathKernandez
do you really think it might work?
He JUST got my son again very badly... broke the skin in THREE places on his back... and there is a bad bruise now... I am beside myself... I honestly just want to get rid of the cat I am so angry with him...
(i hate feeling that way)
The cat is now under a weighted laundry basket for time being.
I'm so upset.
i think if you combine my idea with the crate idea whenever he does something bad, i think it will def work.... Obviously, the cat feels like your son is threatening him (which obviously, i'm sure hes not, but i cant imagine another reason why the cat would randomly attack him) so if you make the cat feel safe in your arms, while re-introducing your son, the cat feels like, ohh well, if my owner likes this kid, i guess i should too lol
its the same thing with introducing a dog to other dogs, the owner should hold the "new" dog so the other dogs feel that its an extension of the owner and they will feel less threatened... and the new dog will feel safe... thats also why i said you should "cuddle" with your son in front of the cat to show the cat that hes a good guy
it cant hurt... has the cat ever been hurt by a kid before?? i know my cat got his hair pulled out by a couple of kids when he was young, and even to this day, he hates kids... he wont go to bite them or anything, but he will just run away and hide if there are kids around
I think it stems from when Hamburger (yes- his name is hamburger) was a kitten... My son treated him like a dog and often wrestled with him and played rough... (the cat LOVED it...)
We DON'T think the cat dislikes my son... He never hisses or anything like that... My husband thinks the cat is playing with Aidan but the way he stalks him... and why does he have to BITE??? You know?
Its very scary... There are times where he just leaves my son alone and often crawls into bed with him to sleep. Though- he doesn't cuddle with Aidan the way he does with me... He ALWAYS wants to be on my lap and cuddle.
Its the strangest thing but I'm so tired of worrying about the next time my son gets hurt... And his feelings get hurt too... He asks me why the cat just doesn't love him.
It breaks my heart =(
Message edited 8/21/2009 10:45:08 AM.
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| Posted 8/21/09 10:44 AM |
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MeeshMosh
last month on leave!
Member since 6/08 4551 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by HeathKernandez
I think it stems from when Hamburger (yes- his name is hamburger) was a kitten... My son treated him like a dog and often wrestled with him and played rough... (the cat LOVED it...)
We DON'T think the cat dislikes my son... He never hisses or anything like that... My husband thinks the cat is playing with Aidan but the way he stalks him... and why does he have to BITE??? You know?
Its very scary... There are times where he just leaves my son alone and often crawls into bed with him to sleep. Though- he doesn't cuddle with Aidan the way he does with me... He ALWAYS wants to be on my lap and cuddle.
Its the strangest thing but I'm so tired of worrying about the next time my son gets hurt... And his feelings get hurt too... He asks me why the cat just doesn't love him.
It breaks my heart =(
OMG stop it -- thats so sad!!!! 
i would try to re-introduce them... and the crate thing!
good luck!!
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| Posted 8/21/09 12:22 PM |
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DeniseMarie
<3
Member since 8/07 10682 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by MeeshMosh
how does the spray bottle work??
also, this is going to sound REALLLLY weird... BUT since the cat really likes you, i would try and slowly re-introduce the cat to your son by YOU holding the cat and having your son pet him a little more each day... and eventually, as things progress, you can have your son feed the cat a treat, maybe dangle a toy above the cats head... ALL while you are holding the cat so the cat feels "safe", KWIM?
also -- if you "cuddle" with your son in front of the cat and show the cat that your son is a "good guy" that may make him feel more comfortable also.... cats can be b*tches sometimes and get really jealous when you give other people/pets attention in front of them... my cat gets jealous when i cuddle with my dog and DH lol
cats are soooo much harder to train than dogs -- but it can be done!
ETA: i also agree with the crate thing posted by the PP
i think these are great ideas
Message edited 8/21/2009 1:03:12 PM.
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| Posted 8/21/09 1:03 PM |
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DayDay
Livin' the Good Life....
Member since 9/06 5939 total posts
Name:
Dayna
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
I may be the minority here and maybe it's bc I am a dog person, but I would get rid of the cat.. If he's constantly stalking your son and hurting him, breaking the skin, bruising him, etc, that's enough for me to make my decision..
I am sorry you are going thru this, but you son is more important than the cat!
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| Posted 8/21/09 1:14 PM |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
It sounds to me like Hamburger thinks of your son as a litter mate. Since they were babies together and played rough, this behavior is continuing. My cats who are litter mates "play" in exactly the way you are describing. Sometimes one just attacks the other for no reason. Other times they cuddle up together all lovey dovey. Does your son still play rough with him? If so I would have him stop this kind of play.
I don't know if the crate thing will work for a cat. A cat will tend to crazy if confined to a small space like that.
Have you tried shaking a can with coins in it when he gets into attack mode? This has worked very well to modify bad behavior in my cats.
It also sounds like the cat is bored. Do you have a kitty condo/tower that is just his, something for him to climb on and sleep in? Do you have toys for him to play with?
When he gets into attack mode, I would try the can or distracting him with another toy. He needs to learn that your son is not his playmate. He needs to learn that he can play rough with toys, but not with people.
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| Posted 8/21/09 1:49 PM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by SweetTooth
It sounds to me like Hamburger thinks of your son as a litter mate. Since they were babies together and played rough, this behavior is continuing. My cats who are litter mates "play" in exactly the way you are describing. Sometimes one just attacks the other for no reason. Other times they cuddle up together all lovey dovey. Does your son still play rough with him? If so I would have him stop this kind of play.
I don't know if the crate thing will work for a cat. A cat will tend to crazy if confined to a small space like that.
Have you tried shaking a can with coins in it when he gets into attack mode? This has worked very well to modify bad behavior in my cats.
It also sounds like the cat is bored. Do you have a kitty condo/tower that is just his, something for him to climb on and sleep in? Do you have toys for him to play with?
When he gets into attack mode, I would try the can or distracting him with another toy. He needs to learn that your son is not his playmate. He needs to learn that he can play rough with toys, but not with people.
Aidan has learned not to play with the car anymore.. he just wants the cat to leave him alone (but also wants the cat to WANT to cuddle with him)
we don't have many toys for him, sadly.. we have a small apt so there is really no place for a cat tower, but perhaps we'll have to find some room. Aidan throws bouncy balls for the cat to chase, so he DOES play with him, somewhat.
thanks for the advice...
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| Posted 8/21/09 2:28 PM |
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HeathKernandez
Our Ron is an awesome Ron
Member since 4/07 9091 total posts
Name:
baby fish mouth
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by LLandDayDay
I may be the minority here and maybe it's bc I am a dog person, but I would get rid of the cat.. If he's constantly stalking your son and hurting him, breaking the skin, bruising him, etc, that's enough for me to make my decision..
I am sorry you are going thru this, but you son is more important than the cat!
this is how I have been feeling and it upsets me b/c I do care about him...
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| Posted 8/21/09 2:28 PM |
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MeeshMosh
last month on leave!
Member since 6/08 4551 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by LLandDayDay
I may be the minority here and maybe it's bc I am a dog person, but I would get rid of the cat.. If he's constantly stalking your son and hurting him, breaking the skin, bruising him, etc, that's enough for me to make my decision..
I am sorry you are going thru this, but you son is more important than the cat!
yeah thats also easier said than done when you love your cat
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| Posted 8/21/09 2:59 PM |
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DayDay
Livin' the Good Life....
Member since 9/06 5939 total posts
Name:
Dayna
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by MeeshMosh
Posted by LLandDayDay
I may be the minority here and maybe it's bc I am a dog person, but I would get rid of the cat.. If he's constantly stalking your son and hurting him, breaking the skin, bruising him, etc, that's enough for me to make my decision..
I am sorry you are going thru this, but you son is more important than the cat!
yeah thats also easier said than done when you love your cat
I know.. and I didn't want to sound heartless about it.. So please don't get offended.. I am more concerned for her son than anything else and the cat hurting him constantly.. I would be devastated if my dogs were hurting my child and I loved them too.. it's a tough decision..
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| Posted 8/21/09 3:49 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
I have no suggestions....but i know how your son feels...my old cat used to do the same thing to me....he would bite me and not let go....attack me for no reason...it was horrible. (This continued until he died a year ago....for almost 18 years of my life.....)
We should start a support group...
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| Posted 8/21/09 4:50 PM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
This is scary and sad. I think he is trying to play also? I am at a loss here.. 
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| Posted 8/22/09 8:52 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Have you tried Feliway? It is worth a try.
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| Posted 8/23/09 9:25 AM |
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MeeshMosh
last month on leave!
Member since 6/08 4551 total posts
Name:
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by klingklang77
Have you tried Feliway? It is worth a try.
i totally second this!!! we bought this for my cat when we first got him and i think it helped a lot!!
this is def worth a try!!! heres the website:
link
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| Posted 8/23/09 10:24 AM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: I'm at my wits end and I don't know what to do
Posted by MeeshMosh
Posted by klingklang77
Have you tried Feliway? It is worth a try.
i totally second this!!! we bought this for my cat when we first got him and i think it helped a lot!!
this is def worth a try!!! heres the website:
link
I got the plug in ones and my cat was soooo happy. Like she was on happy drugs. She had been peeing around the house. She still does it occasionally, but not as much as she used to. You can also do the spray, which may work as well. You can get it (both forms) off ebay for cheap. I think, b/c you said you have a small place that your cat may threatened by your son.
Plug in some feliway and it just may work!
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| Posted 8/23/09 10:46 AM |
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