Kitten from animal shelter question- why is the kitten turning evil?

[Cazzle]

For the first 24 hours that we had Muffin, she hid behind the couch and cried. We tried talking softly to her and getting her to come out, but it was obvious that she was terrified of us. So we left her alone. When she’d meow, I’d reply “Muffin” in a sing-songy voice (the way I call her), and it started being a sort of game - she’d call, I’d reply. But I didn’t try to touch her or approach her or teach her. That evening, we locked her in the laundry to sleep.

The next morning, she was pleased to see me, and snuggled up to me. During the day, she kept calling (I guess she was trying to call her mother), and I kept answering. She was less skittish, and settled in quickly. The second day we let her approach us for cuddles, and didn’t go after her.

The third day, she was relaxed and happy. We played with her, we cuddled her, and she wouldn’t flinch when we walked over and picked her up.

Now, she’s confident and not at all like the scared little kitty who cried and hid on her first day here. She still calls me from time to time, and knew her name by the third day here because of our game. She likes to cuddle when I’m at my computer desk, but best of all she likes to cuddle on my bed. I know that’s what she wants when she jumps on my lap, jumps straight off again, goes into the hallway, and calls and calls and calls.

So, just let the kitten be. Feed it, speak gently to it, but let it approach you. It just needs to become comfortable in your home and with you and your wife.

Oh - and Muffin had me in tears when she was about 14 weeks old. We added another kitten to the household so Muffin wouldn’t be lonely, and she HATED it. She wouldn’t speak to me for three days, and bit and scratched me whenever I tried to approach her. After three days, she calmed down, and came over and kissed me, and we’ve been friends ever since. Plus, she loves her pet kitten, and they’re best friends now.

[Princhester]

And if all else fails, and the kitten is truly evil and totally incorrigible, send it to me. I can’t stand lovely little pets that do what they’re told. But give me a cat with true personality (and what you are describing sounds to me like a mix of fear, uncertainty, playfulness and personality) and I am an adoring fan.

Vinnie are you and your wife “dog” people? Sounds like you were expecting a puppy and got yourself a baby cat.

[Tranquilis]

Tapswiller, I’m adding this to my sig!

Laser-guided Claw Attack!

I just got a bunch of goofy looks from the office types for laughing at my screen!

[LifeOnWry]

:eek:

Oh, dear. I’m afraid I’ve got to take this seriously too, however I will try my best to not flame about it.

Vinnie, it’s a BABY and she’s scared! Now is NOT the time to attempt to discipline or “train” the kitty. Of course she’s hissing and attempting to scratch and bite, she is trying to protect her little self. She needs to feel safe, and the only way to make her feel so is to be gentle and patient with her.

[Stupendous_man]

When we first got out first cat, it was always doing that, and even becasme a bit destructive towards some of the things in the house.

The behaviour is caused by the cat’s boredom and loneliness. Do you two go out to work, and leave him alone in a quiet house? If so, bingo.

Buy him a friend, so he has someone to play with while you two are gone. My cat just needed a friend, and so does yours by the sound of it.

[Nyrath]

*Originally posted by Tapswiller *
I will second Tranquilis’s endorsement of laser pointers for cat toys. In fact, I will go further and say that they are just about the best cat toys ever invented!

Indeed. And they gave me a good one-shot trick.

Our two cats know that the cat carrier means a trip to the vet. So they are very loath to enter it.

One vet-day, I got a bright idea. I opened the carrier, and used the laser pointer to play with the cats.

The red dot darts in the carrier, the cats charge in after it, and I slam the door shut. Growing look of horror on the cat faces as they realize that they’ve been had.

Of course, the next time I tried that trick, the cats charged up to the carrier, came to a screeching halt, then gave me their best “Oh, what kind of fool do you take me for?” look.

[Balthisar]

*Originally posted by Nyrath *
**Indeed. And they gave me a good one-shot trick.

Our two cats know that the cat carrier means a trip to the vet. So they are very loath to enter it.

One vet-day, I got a bright idea. I opened the carrier, and used the laser pointer to play with the cats.

The red dot darts in the carrier, the cats charge in after it, and I slam the door shut. Growing look of horror on the cat faces as they realize that they’ve been had.

Of course, the next time I tried that trick, the cats charged up to the carrier, came to a screeching halt, then gave me their best “Oh, what kind of fool do you take me for?” look. **

Hmmm… does this mean that after my stupid, irresponsible neighbors go pick up their destructive cats at animal control and pay their $60 in fines and boarding, and continue to let their beasts-of-horror defecate and destroy my flower beds, that my bait-laden live trap won’t work anymore? I’d hate to resort to etholyne-gylcol (and the jail time).

[Vinnie_Virginslayer]

Thanks for the advice everyone, actually the kitty has cesed the scratching and biting, but boy is the little shit hyper.

As for your lame apology, Jimbrowski, since you drew first blood . . .

*Originally posted by Jimbrowski *
**

Have you ever had a cat before, Vinnie?**

My wife and I have THREE CATS, so boy, I bet that takes the wind out of your sails, huh?

**

Your stupid wife? **

Your lucky this is a message board, and not a public place, bigmouth. Another wus acting like a big shot on their computer.

**

Did you think this was some remote control toy that does exactly what you tell it to? Tell us, Vinnie, are you beating the cat yet because it doesn’t “listen” to you? **

Yeah, as a matter of fact, while writing this I’m poking it with sticks to see what it looks like when it bleeds.

**

As I see it you have two options: (1) the responsible one and; (2) the dumb-ass, ignorant, thick-skulled, trailer park trash, “what’s wrong with society” one.**

I actually own a house, but my understanding is that when you moved into YOUR trailer park, the people there said “There goes the neighborhood.”

**

(1)(a) Take the cat to a local vet (yes, dumbass, this will cost you money). **

We already had a vet appointment scheduled before you thought of this brilliant idea, so don’t pat yourself on the back too much. Unfortunately, no matter how many we called, we could not get a free appointment, so thank you for pointing out that there would be a fee. Now I don’t feel so ripped off!

**

Have the cat spayed or neutered.**

Really??? Wow. Never thought of that one! Your really ARE an Expert! Thank God you are here. Maybe we should do the same to you so you will cease flaming people.

**

(2) Send Fluffy back to Kitty Kat Oz, you piece of manure.**

You persist on insulting other SDMB posters like you are here, you might find yourself in Straight Dope Oz, fella.

**

Perhaps you would do better with some plastic plants. They’ll do exactly as you ask them to.**

Hmm . . well, I asked my Venus Flytrap to fetch a ball for me, and it didn’t move, so I’m not sure a plastic plant will be much better, but thanks for the brilliant advice.

What if I ask you to stop being an idiot? Will you do that? I presume you might be SLIGHTLY more intelligent than plant life.

**

You got kids? God I hope not.**

Actually, I was planning on getting my wife pregnant so I can torture you with child bearing questions for the next 18 years. I’m looking forward to beating the shit out of them, too.

In conclusion Jimbo, feel free to get on your knees and gratify my manhood anytime you like.

[jinty]

Great thread. I’ve LOL’ed several times.

The only thing I can add is: cats don’t have a sense of good and bad. Try to make 'em feel guilty or ashamed by yelling (or worse) and they’ll just hate you for it.

Hmmm…I’ve never found the ideal cat toy for the real Jinty. Catnip mice, remote-control car covered in fake fur, none of it works. Must try one of those laser gizmos, sounds just the job for me…err…him

[The_Controvert]

I didn’t read the prev. posts too carefully so apologies if this theory has been broached.

Most of the theories thus far is that the animal is untrained or “evil”.

But perhaps there is an environmental cause? Cats and dogs react to sounds that humans cannot hear. Hence a dog whistle might be silent to you or I, but loud to a dog. Is it possible that the cat was fine, but when you brought it into your household it is reacting to some unpleasant stimulus that you are unaware of?

An easy test: try taking your pet elsewhere and note if behavior persists.

[SCSimmons]

It is merely the nature of kittens, Grasshopper. Whatever you do, do not permit this kitten to get a job in Human Resources.

My wife picked our kitten from the group at the shelter because she was the ‘liveliest’ in the bunch. Specifically, she was hanging from the ceiling of the cage when we were looking. Maybe someday, the ten-year-old cat we already owned will forgive us for bringing this little monster home. Seriously, about three months later they’re settling in fine … although come to think of it, I have a question about these two that deserves a thread of its own.

[bibliophage]

How the hell did I miss this mess?

Jimbrowski, your first post was completely inappropriate here. The apology in your second post may not be the epitome of graciousness, but I’m willing to accept it as sincere.

Vinnie, when another poster says something inappropriate to the forum, that does not give you license to do the same. That goes double if he apologizes first, even if you think the apology is insufficient. The BBQ Pit is the place for flaming, even if you’re responding to someting said in another forum.

This thread is closed.

bibliophage
moderator GQ