Hi, all! A little background first...I hope you can help a stumped cat mom out here We have a sweet, sweet gal named "Pancakes" and we rescued her from a shelter about six months ago. She is about 1.5-2 years old. She was not a lap cat at first but then became one about two months post adoption. Yay! She doesn't like to hide or retreat, is social and very vocal (talks to us) with a bit of sass to her. She rarely hisses (maybe with being surprised or caught on furniture with her nail). Very affectionate at times! She loves small treats on occasion of chicken, turkey, tuna or a sliver of cheese. She is clean with her litter box and generally, responds to being redirected to a scratch post (seems like she catches on quickly). Great cat, overall!
Here's the dilemma. My boys (4.5 and 6) adore Pancakes as a house pet and husband and I are still working on their manners with the cat. It's a constant educational process with teaching and reminding them how to live with a live animal and I SO want this to be successful and fair for all! Our Pancakes bites my 4.5 year old in the same spot (upper shoulder). One time we had to take him to the Dr. since she broke a bit of skin open. Luckily, no infection had resulted. Yesterday was bite number three in the same location. When this happens, she appears like she is trying to "attack" him with wide eyes/ears flat. Happened once when sitting on the floor with her, once when he rounded the corner and another when sitting by her ball that goes around a scratching post. She will try to do this with my oldest son but maybe because he's taller she doesn't reach his shoulder? She's never attempted this "attack" with my husband or I. We have tried time outs for both kids and the cat, re-direction, adding more interesting toys, a shaker to ward off her thinking of going for the shoulder, I am running out of ideas but I cannot tolerate this so something has to change. I called up a behavioral specialist but do not have $450 for a two hour consult at this time. She is fixed and had a litter prior to being adopted into our family. I was told she was likely an indoor/outdoor cat prior and we have her indoors only now. What else am I not thinking to do? I don't believe she was a feral cat as she can be rather social? No health issues to report and up to date on shots/vet care.
Here's the dilemma. My boys (4.5 and 6) adore Pancakes as a house pet and husband and I are still working on their manners with the cat. It's a constant educational process with teaching and reminding them how to live with a live animal and I SO want this to be successful and fair for all! Our Pancakes bites my 4.5 year old in the same spot (upper shoulder). One time we had to take him to the Dr. since she broke a bit of skin open. Luckily, no infection had resulted. Yesterday was bite number three in the same location. When this happens, she appears like she is trying to "attack" him with wide eyes/ears flat. Happened once when sitting on the floor with her, once when he rounded the corner and another when sitting by her ball that goes around a scratching post. She will try to do this with my oldest son but maybe because he's taller she doesn't reach his shoulder? She's never attempted this "attack" with my husband or I. We have tried time outs for both kids and the cat, re-direction, adding more interesting toys, a shaker to ward off her thinking of going for the shoulder, I am running out of ideas but I cannot tolerate this so something has to change. I called up a behavioral specialist but do not have $450 for a two hour consult at this time. She is fixed and had a litter prior to being adopted into our family. I was told she was likely an indoor/outdoor cat prior and we have her indoors only now. What else am I not thinking to do? I don't believe she was a feral cat as she can be rather social? No health issues to report and up to date on shots/vet care.