Merlin keeps smacking my 2 boys (aged 2 and 1) Kevin is so afraid of him that as soon as he sees Merlin he cries and says "no Merli, go way Merli". The other day Merlin went up to Kevin and smacked him for no reason. Kevin doesn't ever voluntarily approach him - hasn't for months except for when Merlin is with me. Why does Merlin instigate it and how can I stop him. At least Kevin isn't afraid of the other cats.
Merlin bit Kevin.....again.
Merlin has always been a loving cat with me and my hubby. He was fine when Kevin was born. Kevin was a bit aggressive with the cats when he started getting mobile, but he has since learnt to be gentle with the cats. All of the other cats are fine with him.
The other night I was sitting with Derek on my lap watching TV when Merlin jumped up for some attention. Merlin doesn't mind Derek, even though he can still be pully with the cats (still learning gentle). Merlin was happy getting head scritches from me and Kevin came up beside him. He was talking to me and Merlin and he asked if he could touch Merl. I said sure - why not - Merl was in a good mood and happy. Well Kevin just reached out his hand to gently pat his back and Merlin struck like a rattler with no warning and no provocation. He got Kevin's arm and even broke the skin.
Kevin started screaming. He has always been a little afraid of Merlin because Merl will swat him if he gets too close. This time however he got bitten. I don't want Kevin to be afraid and I don't want Merlin to bite. Hubby says if he does it again then he has to go, that we can't be worried about him bitting the kids.
I don't know what to do. Merlin is usually a little love bug, except when it comes to Kevin. And it wasn't Kevin's fault - he was being extra gentle with Merlin. I can't keep them separated at all times.
Why is Merl so aggressive with just Kevin? What can I do? I can't get rid of my kid and I don't want to get rid of my cat (he is my baby of all of the kitties). My heart is breaking!
Merlin bit Kevin.....again.
Merlin has always been a loving cat with me and my hubby. He was fine when Kevin was born. Kevin was a bit aggressive with the cats when he started getting mobile, but he has since learnt to be gentle with the cats. All of the other cats are fine with him.
The other night I was sitting with Derek on my lap watching TV when Merlin jumped up for some attention. Merlin doesn't mind Derek, even though he can still be pully with the cats (still learning gentle). Merlin was happy getting head scritches from me and Kevin came up beside him. He was talking to me and Merlin and he asked if he could touch Merl. I said sure - why not - Merl was in a good mood and happy. Well Kevin just reached out his hand to gently pat his back and Merlin struck like a rattler with no warning and no provocation. He got Kevin's arm and even broke the skin.
Kevin started screaming. He has always been a little afraid of Merlin because Merl will swat him if he gets too close. This time however he got bitten. I don't want Kevin to be afraid and I don't want Merlin to bite. Hubby says if he does it again then he has to go, that we can't be worried about him bitting the kids.
I don't know what to do. Merlin is usually a little love bug, except when it comes to Kevin. And it wasn't Kevin's fault - he was being extra gentle with Merlin. I can't keep them separated at all times.
Why is Merl so aggressive with just Kevin? What can I do? I can't get rid of my kid and I don't want to get rid of my cat (he is my baby of all of the kitties). My heart is breaking!