# How do I get my cat to stop attacking me? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 5, 2008, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853 "2008-12-05T14:43:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/21 "2008-12-05T16:24:41Z")
Toys like ping pong balls will keep him running a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/22 "2008-12-05T16:30:07Z")
Or two words: laser pointer. You don’t even have to get off the couch. We like to see how far up the walls ours can get. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/23 "2008-12-05T16:30:34Z")
> [@neutron\_star](#): > > He’s been spraying for two months, though (yeah, yeah, I haven’t gotten around to getting him spayed yet). Doesn’t that mean he’s an adult? > > e: and 8 months is just a guess. I got him in June, so I figured he must have been two months old then, since he was so tiny. For Og’s sake, get him fixed! And use [Feliway](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=10469842&postcount=23). For us it’s been the wonder cure. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/24 "2008-12-05T16:37:16Z")
**It’s past time to get him fixed. Schedule an appointment today.** ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/25 "2008-12-05T16:37:35Z")
Seconding neutering, and laser pointers. You need to tire him out chasing something that is NOT you. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/26 "2008-12-05T16:39:21Z")
I know, I just keep thinking of how horrible it would be if someone cut off my nuts, then I hug my cat and feel bad. He’s never been outside even once, so impregnating other cats isn’t an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Woeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Woeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Woeg)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/27 "2008-12-05T16:48:10Z")
Dude, it’s not just about impregnating other cats - getting him fixed will seriously decrease spraying (though it may not stop it, since he has already started), and will definitely tame him down quite a bit. It will make both your lives easier, and it’s not like he’s gonna really notice, since he’s not getting any tail (pun intended) anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/28 "2008-12-05T16:49:03Z")
Do yourself a favor and castrate the little bastard. He’ll be much more content and calm and he’ll probably stop pissing on everything you own. The other benefit my vet told me about is that neutering him will eliminate the chance for testicular cancer. I know … kind of goes without saying. I was considering having all his teeth removed to avoid gum disease too, but then I came to my senses. Seriously. Neutering. He won’t miss them. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/29 "2008-12-05T16:54:28Z")
Yeah, there was the one time he walked up and sprayed my bare leg. :smack: I guess I’ll get it done next paycheck. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/30 "2008-12-05T17:02:20Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > He probably just needs another cat to play with, really. Or a kid. My cat attacks quite often, but not to really hurt. (I admit that have been scratched, but I don’t think she meant it.) The funny thing is, Tokyo mostly does this with my husband and my daughter. She rarely plays with me like that. She is much calmer with me. I can’t get her to play with me, but I can pet her. My daughter can’t pet her but can play with her. My husband can somehow do both. What’s that all about? ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/31 "2008-12-05T17:05:41Z")
> [@neutron\_star](#): > > I know, I just keep thinking of how horrible it would be if someone cut off my nuts, then I hug my cat and feel bad. > > He’s never been outside even once, so impregnating other cats isn’t an issue. No, but really stinky cat pee is an issue. Spraying is an issue. Trying to get outside to do something about his strong sexual urges is an issue. Aggression is an issue. I do not believe that tom cats are more aggressive to people, I’ve met some very sweet toms that were all scarred up from fights, however he will want outside and you will be stopping him from that desire so he may redirect his aggression to you. Do not decide to let him outside to have his fun, he can pick up diseases (FIV or FeLV) from contact with other cats, not to mention numerous other disease and parasites. He could be hit by a car, attacked by other cats and dogs and possibly even harmed by some humans that don’t appreciate your cat being in their yard. Neutering is not cruel, for male cats it’s a very simple operation, and it will help calm him down and eliminate some other undesirable behaviors. It is not cutting off your own balls! When I hear guys say this it makes me want to do that to them. I anthropomorphize my animals just as much if not more than others but they will not miss their balls and will be happier and healthier without them. You are his caretaker and you owe it to him to protect him from the various issues that being intact will cause. Also, trust me on this, once your house starts to reek of Tom cat pee, you will not be so attached to his balls. It is much better to get him neutered before that strong odor develops. Also, a squirt bottle/squirt gun is a better deterrent as they do not associate it with you as much as a rolled up newspaper or a swat with your hand. Those will just encourage them to retaliate because he thinks you are playing with him. Spend time playing with him to wear him out but do not use your hands. Use a laser pointer, a toy on a pole or throw toys to him. Never play roughly. If he attacks you and gets rough distract him with a toy to redirect his play or walk away and ignore him. He may run after and attack at first but eventually he will start to learn that the bad behaviors will not be rewarded. If you are petting him and he gets wild redirect or ignore. Hopefully, he will outgrow most of the bad behaviors eventually as long as you do not encourage them. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/32 "2008-12-05T17:11:32Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > … > The other benefit my vet told me about is that neutering him will eliminate the chance for testicular cancer. I know … kind of goes without saying. I was considering having all his teeth removed to avoid gum disease too, but then I came to my senses. > … But that’s not too far off base. Cats with some types of stomatitis often do better without their teeth. The teeth actually seem to contribute to the problem. But yeah, you don’t remove the teeth unless the cat actually has this problem. ---
**Author:** ![neutron\_star](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/51bf81/32.png) [@neutron\_star](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neutron_star)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/33 "2008-12-05T17:12:45Z")
Good post (except for the part where you wanted to cut my balls off). Thanks! e: That sounds sarcastic. It’s not. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/34 "2008-12-05T17:30:41Z")
> [@neutron\_star](#): > > Good post (except for the part where you wanted to cut my balls off). Thanks! > > e: That sounds sarcastic. It’s not. Sorry, I’m a little cranky from being cooped up for the past week with the flu. And it only makes me want to cut balls off, I wouldn’t actually do it. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![spockerel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@spockerel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spockerel)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/35 "2008-12-05T17:38:57Z")
I agree with the posters who suggested another cat. We had nearly the same problem: our young neutered cat had an incredible amount of energy, and no matter how much we’d play with him, he was consistently bored and would attack us to get our attention. As soon as we got another cat, he became very sweet-tempered. The two of them play all day together and we no longer have to doctor the scratches all over our legs and arms. ---
**Author:** ![BlinkingDuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@BlinkingDuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlinkingDuck)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/36 "2008-12-05T17:40:22Z")
> [@Nzinga\_Seated](#): > > Or a kid. My cat attacks quite often, but not to really hurt. (I admit that have been scratched, but I don’t think she meant it.) The funny thing is, Tokyo mostly does this with my husband and my daughter. She rarely plays with me like that. > > She is much calmer with me. I can’t get her to play with me, but I can pet her. My daughter can’t pet her but can play with her. My husband can somehow do both. What’s that all about? Same…my wife and daughter can play with the cat, sometimes rather roughly (she seems to like it). When I try, she just looks confused. I am her favorite lap however 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![black\_rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@black\_rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/black_rabbit)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/37 "2008-12-05T17:41:23Z")
Re the getting another cat suggestion, I’m in kinda the same situation. [Tusk](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi_xk0vVmB4) is eight months old and spayed, but she’s still looooves to scrap. If I were to get another cat, what age/gender should I be looking at? I don’t know if I can handle two kittens. Would a 2-year-old female work well? ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/38 "2008-12-05T17:45:39Z")
A can of compressed air for cleaning electronics works just as well as a squirt bottle of water. Never even had to actually “shoot” it at our cat. The sound (and now just the sight of the can) of it keeps our cat off the desk. I’d imagine it would work for keeping him from attacking you too. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/39 "2008-12-05T18:34:53Z")
> [@black\_rabbit](#): > > If I were to get another cat, what age/gender should I be looking at? I don’t know if I can handle two kittens. Would a 2-year-old female work well? Kittens will usually transition easier, as they are less inherently territorial than adults. Also two kittens ( that get along, most will eventually ) will expend much of their energy savaging each other rather than you, for a definite net gain. Adopting a two-year old might be fine ( they’re typically still pretty energetic at that age ), but if that’s the case you want to look for one that specifically has demonstrated an ability to get along with other cats. It seems most people who spend a lot of time with many cats sorta agree that _on average_ neutered males tend to be the most affectionate and mellow, at least towards humans. However their are some indications that males play rougher, longer than female kittens. If your female is still into rough-housing, that wouldn’t be an issue. At any rate it’s all generalizations - individual cats vary an awful lot over the range of social behaviors. I wouldn’t worry much about gender as a general proposition. ETA: **Neutron Star** - neuter that cat! It might be a little late, but even a reduction in spraying is something. Cat spray is beyond nasty. My two males, neutered young, have never sprayed even once and probably never will, for which I’m eternally greatful. ---
**Author:** ![Elenfair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/cc9497/32.png) [@Elenfair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elenfair)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853/40 "2008-12-05T19:16:21Z")
Good lord, get him fixed, like, yesterday. It’s going to help a LOT. Then, exercise the hell out of the little bastard. Laser pointers are your friend. Getting him a playmate (a fixed one) may help some. Or getting him high on kitty drugs (Mmm. Catnip.) is also lots of fun. Squirt guns help some. As do scatmats, to keep him off certain things like counters and tables, as they are self-reinforcing tools. Other than that, he’ll grow out of some of this behavior, but he IS still a youngster at this point. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-get-my-cat-to-stop-attacking-me/475853.md?page=3)