My cat has a very bad temper!!!!!

Question
QUESTION: Hi-
I have a long haired cat called Leelou she is spayed and her breed is Nebelung. Anyway the problem is her temper is horrble she growls every time we go to pet her she hisses when she thinks i might pick her up and when i do pick her up she give me that meow telling me to live her alone I don't know what to do about her temper I got her at a shelter I took her to the vet thinking maybe she might have a phisical injury that would cause pain maybe thats why she acts that way but nothing she is healthy as ever. All she wants is to go out side so I let her but i realy don't like it went she goes out its to dangerous so when i don't let her out she cry's and begs... I'm ok with the begging its the only time i feel like she loves me so... I'm telling you I don't what to do. I got her about a year ago when she was 8 months old so she's not old we do have another cat called fluffy but we make sure they don't feel jealous... What can i do to change her behavior and What is causing this behaivor?

ANSWER: Cassie,

Nebelungs (for those that aren't familiar with the cat it is a new breed that is basically a long-haired Russian Blue). The cats are noted for being sweet, loving, and gentle so there is definitely something wrong with your cat! Since you got her from a shelter her behavior may be an emotional issue relating to prior abuse, or something traumatic that happened to her in her previous history. But her behavior DOES sound like she is in pain so it could also be a medical issue. I personally would try another vet for a second opinion.

I would ask the vet about prescribing some kitty Prozac for her. It is commonly used for calming cats that are stressed or have emotional problems.

Respect how she feels and don't try force her to accept petting and cuddling if she doesn't like it or doesn't want it.

You can try ignoring her for about 3 days....completely. Don't even talk to her or acknowledge her. Cats don't like to be ignored so she will come to you for affection and attention. But don't give her any...not for 3 days. Then when you do, just pet her briefly...leave her wanting more, until you can pet her for longer periods. It may help depending on how deep or what her problems are.

And, sadly to say, there are SO many sweet and loving cats (not just kittens) that are going to be put to death only because they are unwanted and because of over-crowding, that you don't need to have a cat that  doesn't give or want love, has emotional problems, and is not a pleasure to have. Maybe you should think about saving a cat that will appreciate the fact that it will have a loving home, enough food to eat, and maybe a chance to catch it's first mouse...and will that return love.

Tabbi









---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi cassie again... so  ur telling me that i should get rid of my cat when the reason why i got her was to reduce the population of those cats in shelters I went to three dirrent vets and she is fine kitty happy pills thats dumb I have a hard time with her temper don't you think that giving med is allready to hard as it is!!! I have had her for a year and I rescue those cat that no one wants because of desperate messures leelou was 8 months old when i got her and i have had her for a year kitten don't tend to have bad expirienses and as for love she returns it in her way as in bring in a mouse for us thinking we acctually eat that wich we don't so.... ur not making much sence! that or u know nothing about cats ........ she look like a full grown cat when i got her so yeah even if she was 8 months old no one wanted her thats why i got her and anyway how was i supose to know that the cat was mean before i got her I mean she was smart and did what ever it took to get a home which included a lot of purrring! she might be mean but damn it she smart she can open doors and hunt and play fetch yeah that right play fetch how many cats can do that after a year a person get attached to their pet and deffinatly wont get rid of her!!!! or so u don't know ppl have more morals now an days!! sure there are alot of cats out thier that need homes but so did she and if every one think like you and and get rid of the animal because of a behaiver problem the # of cats that would die would increase even more so........oh and she has no emotional problem she is just a spoild lil brat thats all and franquly for a cat thats good !!! my other cat fluffy was abused and sprayed in the eyes by spay paint so yeah when we got her at the shelter no one wanted her because she wouldn't let anyone touch her or anything but after 2 years of TLC she came around and is now starting to act like a normal cat it took fluffy 4 year to act like a normal cat again so yeah paitions is the key NOT GETING RID OF HER !!! THEY DISERVE A CHANCE IT JUST TAKES A LIL BIT LONGER FOR SOME CATS OK!!! so next time you give advice don't you dare tell anyone to get rid of their cat !!! That just mean!!

Answer
Cassie,

I'm happy that you feel so strongly about your cat. To be correct, I did not suggest you get rid of your cat, I said you "may want to think about it". It's wonderful that you are saving unwanted cats. If you are happy with her and don't mind her personality then of course you should keep her!

The kitty Prozac I suggested is not a cat "happy pill". It is a commonly used (and often helpful) treatment to calm a cat and can help control a cat's "anger". Your cat would not need them if that is her basic personality, and your cat probably DOESN'T need them, but they HAVE helped alot of cats. That is why I said to ask your vet about it. I am only giving you some suggestions or options based on how you explained your cat's behavior.

Kittens CAN have bad experiences that traumatize them anytime from birth. Unless you know the cat's complete history it's hard to know what causes her to act that way, and why she ended up in the shelter.

PLEASE NOTE: There is also the very good possibility that she is not a true Nebelung, but only looks like one. Her behavior is NOT consistant with the breed but IS consistant of a cat that had feral parents. A cat with a feral history can be loving, playful, and affectionate but they do NOT like to be petted very much, if at all, and do NOT like to be held or restrained. As a result of their inherited traits that is common behavior.

I apologize if I offended you. I understand where you are coming from, and I hope you can understand the reasons behind my answer. My reply was based upon the cat being a true Nebelung. Since you gave me more information about the cat on your follow-up I tend to think she is the way she is because of heredity, not because of an emotional or physical problem. She is not a regular domesticated house cat so she won't act like one. She most likely has strong hunting genes that she inherited and is most happy when she can be outside. Getting a pet laser light (from Petco, PetSmart, etc.) would be a great interactive way to play with her and bond with her without her getting stressed from being touched. Cats LOVE to chase the "little red bug" on the floors, ceiling, and walls...especially hunter type cats. And getting her some little furry stuffed mice that you can throw would probably make her happy too. And cats that are good hunters enjoy a raw beef rib bone periodically for a treat. I have the butcher cut some in half. It satisfies their hunting instinct because they treat it like a "fresh kill", and the fibers in the meat helps clean their teeth.

She's lucky you picked her (and fluffy too). With a little adjustment as to how you think she should act, and some acceptance of how she is, then you should be fine.

Tabbi