- Joined
- Jul 14, 2019
- Messages
- 69
- Purraise
- 97
We are feeding a stray cat who recently showed up. We think it's a female, but we won't find out for sure til Monday when s/he is going to the vet.
We can't take the kitty in because we already have 7 indoor cats, so for now we are providing food and outdoor shelter. We usually both go out to feed/water him/her and then sit down so s/he can lap sit and get cuddles and affection. The kitty IS very affectionate, kneading and drooling and purring, but sometimes gets over-exited and nips. Hasn't drawn blood yet.
Today, as I walked back up the steps onto our deck, s/he grabbed my leg, dug claws in, and nipped. Thankfully I was wearing loose yoga pants so my leg just sustained a few pinpricks from the very sharp claws. But it is worrisome because for obvious reasons, we can't deal with an aggressive kitty. We've taken in many strays who have sometimes not been well socialized and have had to learn to be gentle, but haven't had one who tried to attack legs like this. We are both weary of her/him now.
Should we just put food out and pet him/her while putting the food down and stop sitting with him/her? How do we stop the aggression? We are hoping to maybe place the kitty with a rescue (though the likelihood of being able to do that is minuscule) via the vet she is going to on Monday and I am concerned about the aggression. How likely is it that this is just lack of socialization and would stop once s/he is in a more secure, stable situation?
We can't take the kitty in because we already have 7 indoor cats, so for now we are providing food and outdoor shelter. We usually both go out to feed/water him/her and then sit down so s/he can lap sit and get cuddles and affection. The kitty IS very affectionate, kneading and drooling and purring, but sometimes gets over-exited and nips. Hasn't drawn blood yet.
Today, as I walked back up the steps onto our deck, s/he grabbed my leg, dug claws in, and nipped. Thankfully I was wearing loose yoga pants so my leg just sustained a few pinpricks from the very sharp claws. But it is worrisome because for obvious reasons, we can't deal with an aggressive kitty. We've taken in many strays who have sometimes not been well socialized and have had to learn to be gentle, but haven't had one who tried to attack legs like this. We are both weary of her/him now.
Should we just put food out and pet him/her while putting the food down and stop sitting with him/her? How do we stop the aggression? We are hoping to maybe place the kitty with a rescue (though the likelihood of being able to do that is minuscule) via the vet she is going to on Monday and I am concerned about the aggression. How likely is it that this is just lack of socialization and would stop once s/he is in a more secure, stable situation?