Hey all. I'm new to the forum but have been lurking around a bit and have learned a few things. I am having behavioral issues with my cat and am probably going to bring him to a vet soon for a professional opinion but was wondering if any of you may have experienced similar behavioral issues or if you have any suggestions.
A little background on my cat. He is an indoors only cat, part Maine Coon definitely, roughly 2.5 years old. I got him 9 months ago from a shelter and he is living in a small/medium sized 1 bedroom apartment with no other animals. At the shelter they told me he was dropped off by a drunk couple and didn't have much information on him other than that he was probably abused and not taken care of very well. They did warn me he was a little wild and had even attacked a few people. I checked him out and he seemed pretty nervous at first but warmed up to me. So I brought him home since I've had a few crazier cats in the past (I don't consider them crazy at all anymore) and I've had the same issues with him nearly everyday but they seem to be getting worse as of lately.
I'll come home from work and he will be waiting at the door for me and he will be very affectionate and follow me everywhere until I get settled. I admit he is home alone during the day often but I show him plenty of affection and he has plenty of play time. If I'm working on something on a table or counter, he will be up there chewing at it or trying to steal, literally, whatever I'm working on. His favorites are cables and plastics. He has chewed through multiple power cables while being plugged in and hasn't been electrocuted yet thank god. He will start crying extremely loud at the front and back doors which don't lead directly to the outside. I let him out the front door on occasion if a guest comes over to run around the hallway for a few which I shouldn't do since he is indoors only but I give in. He has probably used every kitty cry in the book including some I've never heard before and he can easily be heard outside the apartment. I brought him out on a leash once and he was terrified. Wouldn't even leave the front porch so he won't be going outside anymore which is safer anyways. He runs around the apartment and literally jumps off the walls. His eyes will be locked on the ceiling, walls, etc, even though nothing is there, not even a shadow, his pupils will get huge and he will start jumping or running or crying. He will attack people if their fingers are moving at all which I can see as him playing, but he will attack sometimes if you are just petting him, giving a few good swats or bites. He is not declawed so it can be painful when he decides to really start attacking you. I bought him a laser pointer toy recently and he pants sometimes while playing with it. I don't think it's just from the running because I've seen cats run much more and never pant like a dog. Once he pants I will try to relax him and stop playing with it obviously but he just keeps looking for the laser so we don't use that too much anymore. I've tried to give Rescue Remedy to relax him to prevent the crying and jumping and crazy behavior which doesn't seem to have an effect and use a spray bottle when he is out of control sitting in front of the doors crying or chewing something he shouldn't be. He stops momentarily but will go right back and cry again after being sprayed even though he knows he is going to be sprayed and is afraid of it. This behavior can last from 1-4 hours at a time and it's starting to be too much now. Oddly enough when I go to sleep at night, he comes in my room and sleeps too, often right next to me throughout the whole night.
I think it's time for a visit to the vet but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Thanks.
A little background on my cat. He is an indoors only cat, part Maine Coon definitely, roughly 2.5 years old. I got him 9 months ago from a shelter and he is living in a small/medium sized 1 bedroom apartment with no other animals. At the shelter they told me he was dropped off by a drunk couple and didn't have much information on him other than that he was probably abused and not taken care of very well. They did warn me he was a little wild and had even attacked a few people. I checked him out and he seemed pretty nervous at first but warmed up to me. So I brought him home since I've had a few crazier cats in the past (I don't consider them crazy at all anymore) and I've had the same issues with him nearly everyday but they seem to be getting worse as of lately.
I'll come home from work and he will be waiting at the door for me and he will be very affectionate and follow me everywhere until I get settled. I admit he is home alone during the day often but I show him plenty of affection and he has plenty of play time. If I'm working on something on a table or counter, he will be up there chewing at it or trying to steal, literally, whatever I'm working on. His favorites are cables and plastics. He has chewed through multiple power cables while being plugged in and hasn't been electrocuted yet thank god. He will start crying extremely loud at the front and back doors which don't lead directly to the outside. I let him out the front door on occasion if a guest comes over to run around the hallway for a few which I shouldn't do since he is indoors only but I give in. He has probably used every kitty cry in the book including some I've never heard before and he can easily be heard outside the apartment. I brought him out on a leash once and he was terrified. Wouldn't even leave the front porch so he won't be going outside anymore which is safer anyways. He runs around the apartment and literally jumps off the walls. His eyes will be locked on the ceiling, walls, etc, even though nothing is there, not even a shadow, his pupils will get huge and he will start jumping or running or crying. He will attack people if their fingers are moving at all which I can see as him playing, but he will attack sometimes if you are just petting him, giving a few good swats or bites. He is not declawed so it can be painful when he decides to really start attacking you. I bought him a laser pointer toy recently and he pants sometimes while playing with it. I don't think it's just from the running because I've seen cats run much more and never pant like a dog. Once he pants I will try to relax him and stop playing with it obviously but he just keeps looking for the laser so we don't use that too much anymore. I've tried to give Rescue Remedy to relax him to prevent the crying and jumping and crazy behavior which doesn't seem to have an effect and use a spray bottle when he is out of control sitting in front of the doors crying or chewing something he shouldn't be. He stops momentarily but will go right back and cry again after being sprayed even though he knows he is going to be sprayed and is afraid of it. This behavior can last from 1-4 hours at a time and it's starting to be too much now. Oddly enough when I go to sleep at night, he comes in my room and sleeps too, often right next to me throughout the whole night.
I think it's time for a visit to the vet but does anyone have any suggestions or advice? Thanks.
I have to resist the urge to tickle that belly or pay the price!
