Desperately need help with my young cat's aggressive behavior!

I have had several cats in my life and have NEVER had the problems I am having with my cat, Sebastian. He's not any certain breed that I know of. Just came from a litter off the farm. He is one of the only cats I've had that was allowed to be weaned from his mother completely naturally, meaning not being taken away too soon so he has no problems with suckling (like sucking on soft blankets). I know kittens can be aggressive even without meaning to be so at first I wrote it off as that and discouraged him when he got too rough by ignoring him when I could and tapping him on the nose and shooing him away when he gave me no other choice. However, apart from when he got too rough, I must admit I made the mistake of wrestling with him when I first got him. I know I shouldn't have but it's so hard sometimes. They're so dang cute when they're little. Most cats I've had when they like to play fight they only attack and want to wrestle with my hand. He seems to understand that it's attached to the rest of my body and he will attack, bite and scratch whatever part of me he can get to. I got him in February. He was about 8 weeks then. So he's about 10 months old now.

The strange thing is as mean as he is, he's also extremely cuddly when it's bedtime or time for a nap. He slept in the groove of my neck on the pillow without moving the whole night, every night when he was little. When he got too big for that he started sleeping on my chest. It took him about a week to get used to my boxer and they were in love. My boxer is extremely good with smaller animals. She's very patient with them and never aggressive. So he was back and forth between us. Sleeping with me unless he got too cold then he would move to her because she's practically a heater. He's the cutest thing EVER when he's asleep.


Yes, he is cuddling with my hair in the second picture, lol.

When he's awake however, he is a terrorist. Most of it doesn't bother me. He runs around knocking things over, climbing on things he shouldn't be, playing with things he shouldn't, meowing LOUDLY, basically bouncing off the walls. Cats will be cats. Most of this, I think, is because he has nowhere he can get up high like shelves or a large cat tree. That's something I intend to fix in the next few weeks as money allows. I think that will help with the hyper part. But like I said that doesn't bother me. He's a cat and he likes to get little crazy.

The aggressive part is what is getting more and more unbearable. He is very mean to me and to my dog. My dog is very large and mean looking and has a bark that can scare away anyone even considering knocking. However, she's a push over when it comes to anything smaller than her. My cat bites or scratches her, she doesn't bite back. She yelps and looks at me to save her. And this happens OFTEN. They like to play a lot but my cat gets too rough and more than once has made my dog bleed.

Most of his aggression is what I would consider totally normal. He'll stalk me when I'm walking through the house and attack my legs or attack my feet when they're hanging off the couch.

My main problem is his aggression towards me and my dog when we've done nothing to provoke it. My dog will be completely asleep on her spot on the couch and he will jump up there and attack her head, biting her ears. It's gotten to the point where she literally comes to me and nudges me to let me know she wants to jump up on the couch so I can protect her from him while she jumps up there because he will attack her back legs if I'm not watching him. He also jumps up and cuddles in my lap and rubs all over me and I pet him. He'll lay there purring loudly sometimes for 2 minutes sometimes for 15 but at the end of it, out of nowhere he'll turn on me and sometimes bite my hand but more often he bites my face. And that is NOT okay. Right before I started writing this, this happened and he bit my lip so hard it bled.

It's really important that I get help for this. I recently was hospitalized with a DVT (blood clot) and am now on blood thinners so every time he makes me bleed, it's really hard to get it to stop. I am not one of those people who gets rid of an animal because I don't like the way it acts. So, I'm stuck with him lol But I'm really hoping someone can help me get an idea how to correct this behavior.

I don't think this is necessarily a behavior "change" because he's pretty much been like this the whole time I've had him. I don't think it's getting any worse. It's just getting more and more irritating as I was hoping he would start to grow out of it. And he might still grow out of it but like I said I have never had a cat be this aggressive and I'm hoping there's something I can do about it.

Sorry this was so long! Just wanted to make sure I gave all the info I could so I can get some good answers. Thank you!

Just wanted to add declawing is NOT an option. I don't know if people still do that or believe in it but I refuse to do that. I don't let my cat outside unattended but he tries his hardest to slide out the door when it's open and if he were ever to take off I want him to at least have a chance of defending himself. Thanks again!

First question, is he neutered?

Secondly, do you play with him?

There is a theory called the hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, sleep.  You need a da bird wand toy or other wand toy or a laser pointer.  You really want to get him moving.  The key is to play with him 2-3x a day and have the play last as long as he can keep moving.  This will help to satisfy the hunt, catch, kill.  Next offer him a special snack or small meat for the "eat" portion.  This is very important.  Finally he should then groom himself and take a nap.  The key is to really get him worn out. 

You also can get some very cheap shelving to mount on the wall and attach some non skid padding to it.  Take a look at Jackson Galaxy's Catification ideas.  You can do a google search on them.

Declawing should never be an option for cats.  Good for you for realizing this.  You can look into soft paws that can be placed onto the cats nails if his issue of scratching and clawing gets worse.

Since you did the wrestling with him while he was younger, he now believes that your body parts are toys.  When he start to go after you, you can remove yourself or better yet, try to remove him to a safe room where he can have a short time out.  After a few minutes, he can come out and try again.  Repeat this step, having him stay a bit longer in the room each time. 

ShadowsRescue has given you some great advice already. I really think you should get Softpaws claw covers for Sebastian. They don't affect his being able to use his claws - they just greatly reduce the amount of damage he can do with them. Some of the cats in this thread are wearing them,s so you can see what they're like - http://www.thecatsite.com/t/297363/picture-of-the-month-cat-paws-may-2015. This site is FIRMLY anti declaw, so you won't find anyone suggesting that (barbaric) course of action here.

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Thank you guys so much! Those are some really good ideas I can't wait to try. He is not neutered but he will be soon. Is there a certain age when it's no longer safe to neuter them?

I have a wand toy with a mouse on the end. I do play with him but not that many times a day. I will work on that and I never thought to give him a snack at the end of the "hunt". That's a great idea! I also have a laser toy at my parents' house. I will have to go get that. He will love it. Problem is my dog also loves it lol we'll have to go in the bedroom to play with that one.

Also with the soft paws will he be able to pull them off? I like the idea but worried he will just chew on his nails til they come off.

As far as the shelving, "catifying" my house is definitely on the top of my to do list in the next few weeks.

Thank you guys so much!

You need to get him neutered ASAP.  He is coursing with hormones right now and much of his behavior will be related to the hormones.  Once the hormones start, his main thoughts will be on getting out of your house to find a mate.  He may yowl, howl, be aggressive and his personality will definitely change from a cuddle bug to one that is very indifferent.  Please get him neutered as soon as you can.  Also be extra extra careful he does not get outside.  If he does he may wander far away in search of a mate. 

Once neutered, his hormones will calm completely and he will feel so much better.  It may take 6 weeks or so for them to fully stop, but they will and you should see a change in behavior.