Attacked by newly adopted cat

kristy13

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Anyone who can give me some advice on what to do I would extremely grateful. So me and my bf adopted a cat tonight that we had brought into the pound because he had been hanging outside my house when It was very cold but wanted to make sure he didn't have an owner. He seemed very sweet and friendly but tonight when I got him home I separated him from my other animals and I was just giving him some toys and he jumped up and bite my arm and left puncture wounds out of now where. He was rubbing on me and trying to get me to touch him before that I have no idea what happened or what I did wrong to provoke him I'm nervous to go back in there as I don't know what set him off. Any help would be appreciated
 

margd

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This might be a case of redirected aggression.  Since he couldn't get to the other animals in the home, he took it out on you.  Had he met them before or ever been inside?  He was probably very stressed anyway because of his trip to the shelter.  His whole world has just gone through a major upheaval and he is feeling very insecure at the moment.

Here's an article that explains redirected aggression:  http://www.thecatsite.com/a/re-directed-aggression-in-cats    

Although it's understandable that you're nervous about going back in to his room, try to remain as calm as possible when you do.  Cats are very sensitive to our emotions and if he senses your anxiety, he will also get anxious.  Take him a treat, talk softly to him and don't look at him directly as he might view that as a threat. Pay close attention to his body language.  If his tail starts to twitch, his eyes dilate and his muscles get rigid he is getting anxious.  His ears might also lie down.  However, just because he attacked you this once, after a very stressful day, it doesn't mean he'll do it again, so give him a chance to show his usual good behavior.  Once he recognizes that his room is a safe place, he will be much less stressed.

There are calming products you can get to help him with his anxiety.

1. Feliway is available as a spray or a diffuser and is based on pheromones that cats emit when they are happy and content.  Here is their website:  http://www.feliway.com/us/#redirected   The cheapest prices are often found at amazon.

2.Composure is available as treats or a liquid and also helps calm cats down.  http://www.vetriscience.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=9008103030

3.  Bach's Flower Essences have helped many of our members.  Rescue Remedy is often recommended.  http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pets-bach-flower/

4.  Spirit Essences have also been recommended by members.  http://www.spiritessences.com/

He might also respond to soft music - harp music is often recommended.

You'll need to go through an introduction process to introduce him to the other animals in the home.  Here are a couple of articles that address this.

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-successfully-introduce-cats-the-ultimate-guide

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/introducing-cats-to-dogs

Good luck!  And be sure to clean that wound well and put an antibiotic on it!  
 
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kristy13

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no he has not ever been to this house before it Is his first night here. I didn't notice any of those signs that you mentioned when he attacked me he was actually trying to rub up on me and talking a lot. I was just trying to show him how to play since I'm not sure he really knows how .He is also very food aggressive he even pounces on the dry food we gave him. We are going to transition him to a raw diet but it will take a couple weeks to do. If you have any advice on how to handle a recently stray cat I would love the feed back .
 

margd

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Since he's usually friendly and affectionate, you don't need to go through the steps you'd go through if he were a feral or very shy.  He might get antsy being inside and want to go outside but not all strays do.  Some come inside and never want to leave again.  One thing - you said he'd spent some time at the shelter.  Does that mean he's been vetted and tested for diseases and dewormed and treated for fleas?  If not, you want to keep him away from your other animals until you've gotten a clean bill of health from a vet.  

It's hard to know what exactly set him off since so much was going on at the time.   Because it happened while you were trying to show him how to play (poor guy, not knowing how) I'd hold off on that for awhile.  Maybe just give him a catnip stuffed toy and let him work it out on his own for now.  Since he is so food aggressive, that's probably your way to get through to him.  When you go in to spend time with him, take some treats with you and give them to him while you talk to him.  Some people read to new cats still in their safe rooms, it helps the cat grow used to your presence and the sound of your voice.  Try to sit down close to his level so you aren't looming over him. And definitely pet him as much as he wants, but look for signs that he is getting overly stimulated.  Sometimes cats lash out when they've had enough stroking.  You also might consider getting some Feliway spray and spraying yourself with it before you go in for a visit.  Some vets do this before treating aggressive or timid cats and it helps calm them down.  

Good luck!  I hope it goes well.  What is your new kitty's name, btw?  And do you have any photos?  We always love photos!  
 

supermax1943

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It sounds as if you have a feral (wild) cat on your hands. That is behavior I am familiar with since I manage a feral colony.

I am going to just give you my intuitive recommendations here. I know others will follow with their advice as well.

So take what you like and what feels best for you and the cat and just leave the rest behind, okay?

It would be good to know a few things from you.

Is it a male or female cat?

About how old is the cat?

What other animals do you have? and how many?

Have you had cats before, or is this your first one?

It will help knowing the answers to those questions.

In the meantime, since I suspect you have a feral cat, it would be good if you can give him a separate room for the time being, a bathroom, or any room that you can put the cat in and shut the door.

If he is a feral cat and has arrived in a home with other animals that he can see or smell he or she is going to go into aggressive mode.

In the wild, when surrounded by strange animals (which would include you and your boyfriend), the natural state for the cat to fall into is aggression. It sounds as if you were "it". You didn't do anything wrong, so don't worry, if this is a feral cat it is all about him or her now, it has nothing to do with you.

If this cat has known nothing but the outdoors he is going to be completely out of his or her element to be shut up in a closed structure. That alone will be terrifying to him or her. When a feral cat is in fear all they know is fight or flight. But if the possibility of flight has been removed there is only one thing left...to fight. And, a feral cat would never let you know he is frightened. Always remember survival in their wilderness (which could be a city even) is all they know. That is how they were raised to survive. A feral cat knows NOTHING about the life of a domestic animal who has been someone's pet.

If you can ease him or her into a separate room with a bowl of dry food, some water, a litter box and something warm like a blanket or cat bed that you can place as high as you can in the room, you should then just leave him or her alone in there for now. If you have a couple of cat toys I would put them in their too. Let the cat be in their alone for at least 48 hours. If you have a window in the room try and let him be in a place where he can look out the window (but not get out of the house! or the window!) You should check on him every hour you are awake. Just go very quietly into the room...no eye contact at all. Speak softly to him/her. Stay just a few minutes, then leave.

After the 48 hours, I would go in the room and sit on the floor starting for 5 minutes or so, working yourself up to an hour. While you are there slowly start making eye contact, but do not go near him/her. You might take in a small stick with a string on it and play with it yourself to try and get the cat's interest. Once the cat (all on his or her own) comes to you then play with him without trying to touch him in any way. He or she will let you know when they feel comfortable with you by rubbing on you as he did way back when all of this started. Okay? 

When you get back to that place you will be over the hump of his/her aggression. Keep play time low key, don't let the cat get too worked up for a month, at least. 

This will get you started. Ask anyone here on this site, or me, for advice as you go along. Everyone will be glad to help. You have done a wonderful, kind and special thing to take in this cat. And he is with you for a reason. So don't give up on him. Read everything you can about feral cats. Do not think you have made a mistake in what you have done. Just know that you will have to become "feral" smart so you can give this cat the life he will need.

Feral cats make the best most precious most beloved pets. You have the honor of having a wild animal trust you with its life, and he/she will reward you with as much love as he/she has to give in return. You have come to THE best place to get the help you need.

Oh, and don't worry at all about trying to get him onto a raw diet just yet. Get over the hump of his aggression first. Worry about the food after that problem has been solved. In the meantime feed a brand of food you trust that you use for your other animals. I think it is best to feed both wet and dry food of whatever brand you choose. 

And do keep your wound clean and apply antibiotics regularly. If you see any signs of your arm swelling in either direction or if it looks as if it is getting infected please see your doctor right away or go to an emergency room. Cat bites can be very dangerous (because of infection or rabies) so don't ignore any changes in your arm.
 
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