cat (mis)behaviour expert

as most of you may know/remember, I got a shelter cat for my parents.

Initially he was very reserved, but has since warmed up to my father and plays well and does seem to enjoy being near him. Contact is strictly on his terms and you know when you've been "dismissed".

In the last couple of days, he's taken to "ambushing" my Dad's ankles and gets underfoot. Since my Dad has a suppressed immune system, he can't risk cat scratches, and I purposely looked for a gentle cat. He's gentle in all other areas, just has this habit of going for his ankles.

I've done some reading and it looks like it's pent up energy from not being able to go outside (they have a large patio, but no comparison to being really outside). It does appear he had outdoor access in his previous home. He really enjoys playing, so it maybe be a form of play as well.

Question is, how does one curb this behaviour? We've had cats all my life, but we've never had a cat do this. If this continues, the adoption may become a failure and he'll have to either go back to the shelter or come live with me (not preferable at the moment as I already have 2, one being very dominant and aggressive).

It would be better if we can clip his nails, but as soon as we make a move that he's unsure of, he's GONE. I don't really want to break his trust, either, but I'm willing to try next time I'm there simply because he can't keep scratching my Dad's legs.

Any help/suggestion would be appreciated.

Boy, it could just be his personality. I have lived with 9 cats in my lifetime and all but 1 calmed down once they hit a year or so of age. But our Chase is 3 and still just as bonkers as he was when we found him ~4 months of age. He likes to ambush our ankles, too. Luckily, he doesn't use our claws when he does this, but he comes close to tripping us on a nearly daily basis.

How old is the little adoptee? Could be that he's still not calmed-down, yet.

the Vet estimated his age to be 2-3 years of age.

I'm hoping it's just him looking for attention and wanting to play and not to do with pent up energy not being able to go outside.

Sounds like play to me. Maybe you could suggest that your dad spend some extra time playing with him in safer ways to burn off extra energy. Then maybe he won't be as interested in going after ankles. If all else fails (I know you'd probably prefer not to have to resort to this), a quick spray of water from a squirt gun/spray bottle whenever he goes after people's ankles may convince him that this type of play isn't so much fun after all.

they have to play with the cat. get some toys, like a fishing toy or a bouncy thing on a wire. Cat is BORED
also go to Catforums.com for more cat advice.

I think you mentioned something about them not being able to have 2 cats because of their lease, but your dad didn't care. Maybe the cat needs a friend if your parents cant play with him enough. As a kid, I had a cat that would attack my ankles - I don't think he was playing and I probably instigated it!!! :p Last year we got a kitten to replace our cat that had passed away - the other cat needed a companion. Ringo is full of energy. I kinda feel bad for the other cat, as he chases her around (but she ate for comfort after Hershey passed, so she needed to lose weight anyhow). Fortunately, we have a golden retriever who is Ringo's BFF. They love each other, run around the house, wrestle, and play a lot. I imagine if we didn't have the other pets to occupy him, he would probably want quite a bit more of attention from us, and I don't know that we could keep up with him!

I also keep a lot of toys out for all of them to play with, and he's a real toy lover. His interest in toys has lulled a bit since he was a little kitten (he's almost a year now), but he does play. His favorite items are socks, and he steals any of our socks he can get. DH isn't the best at putting his laundry away, or just cramming it into the drawers so they dont close all the way - Ringo will sit on the dresser and reach down into there and jank the socks out of the drawer! Just like with our dog, I try to get them new toys every month to stimulate their pet brains and occupy their time. DH found these "cat condos" at the pet store - you can buy them in sections and build it as big as you want. Ringo loves his little home - it has scratching posts on it, little "rooms", a hammock type top that he lounges in. He and the other cat play hide and seek in it. I guess what Im getting at is just try to keep him busy. It's like a hyper child, and his attention needs to be redirected. Sounds like he really likes your dad, and that's why he engages him. I also second the spray bottle when he's doing something he shouldn't be, but it should be used without any sort of verbal que so he doesn't associate it with your folks, rather with the activity it self. Ringo is too damn smart, and knows we work the spray bottle. All we have to do is pick it up and he stops what he's doing - doesn't do much good, though, as he knows when we're gone he can do whatever he wants!!
Good luck!

Did you get one of this type of condo?

http://www.tandemhearts.com/cameras/1/camera-002.jpeg

Cassie and Tucker love this! Thom got me a kitty cam for my birthday last year, so I can check up on them when we're away. It's pointed at the condo, since they spend so much time in it.

Veronica

+1 on the squirt/spray bottle whenever he exhibits this behavior. A flashlight or pointer is a fun cat toy. We used to use this at night when Casey was younger. She also had what looked like a small fishing rod with a stuffed fish attached. We could sit in the chair and play with her across the room.

Deb

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Originally Posted by JennK13

I think you mentioned something about them not being able to have 2 cats because of their lease, but your dad didn't care. Maybe the cat needs a friend if your parents cant play with him enough.

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Regardless of common misconception, cats are very social animals and generally are happier with a companion cat or two. Not always, but all of the cats we've ever had are very happy to have a friend and we've never had any issues incorporating a new cat into the family after a week or two. Our youngest would definitely NOT be a happy cat if he were alone. He loves to play and really only becomes a nuisance to us when the older 3 are in no mood to play.

That lease is weird. I can understand them wanting to put limits to avoid pet hoarders, but 2 cats would not be an excessive amount.

I think they have little rubber claw-tip things you can put on cats that were developed as an alternative to declawing (I'm not sure, I could be making this up). Putting them on his front feet might not be a bad idea.

My sister's cat Booma ambushes ankles too, generally first thing in the morning. She's locked out of their room at night and, if they aren't having a mouse problem, has nothing to do all night. She takes it out on them in the morning but will generally calm down once she's fed.

Also, I'm sure Boo is a probably a typical shelter "mutt" but some cats (Maine Coons, for example) are known to be pretty kittenish until they're much older, sometimes 4 or 5 years. Who knows what sort of traits he inherited...

The do make little nail covers and they come in flashy colors. My cat Tortilla does a modified version of this, when she wants to play she will swat you when you walk by. She is declawed so I don't know if she is soft pawing us or would claw if able.

We have one of the toys that dangles something fuzzy on the end of a cord, she loves it and you don't have to be too active to play with her. BleeckerStreetGirl posted a toy like the one below by Bergan, it seems like a really fun toy for an active cat.

Try a laser pointer and see if he will chase it. That's an easy way to get a cat to work off some steam. All you have to do is sit in a chair and point around the room. :-) I think a small water bottle your dad can carry around would work well for keeping the cat away from his feet. Or if the cat really likes the laser, just distract him with that.

As for the nails - I'd recommend taking him to the vet. Most clinics will clip their nails for $5-10, and you don't have to worry about him associating any of you with the experience. And of course, keep working on touching his feet so you can do it yourself later.

The Soft Paws are good for some people, but if you can't clip his nails, you aren't going to be able to put those on either. My cats tolerate nail clipping very well, but even they didn't like the Soft Paws application. For one, the nails have to be the right length/thickness or the plastic tips won't fit anyway. Then you have to get the hair out of the way, put in some superglue, try to stick it on and hold it for 5-10 seconds... Didn't work so well for me. Then the cat ended up with bloody toes because she wouldn't quite trying to chew them off.

yeah, this usually happens in the morning and in the afternoon. And believe me, my dad plays with him A LOT. I'd imagine he's probably spoiled him with play and he just wants to keep going.

It's definitely crossed my mind about getting him a playmate, but we'll have to wait until my mother comes back (she's out of the country til mid October).

I'll go by there tonight to clip his nails and tell my dad about the spray bottle.

Thanks ladies :)

Even a declawed cat can launch a successful (blood drawing) ankle ambush; teeth are good weapons too!

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Originally Posted by malkin

Even a declawed cat can launch a successful (blood drawing) ankle ambush; teeth are good weapons too!

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I've actually heard that declawed cats are more likely to bite, since they compensate for having no claws.

I also highly recommend a toy called a cat dancer which is basically just a small squib of cardboard at the end of a three foot or so springy wire. When you hold the end without the cardboard, the little squib wiggles and dances in the air like a flying insect on a drunken spree. My guys go wild over the cat dancer, so much so that I have to hide it high and deep or they will drag it out and then hide it when it won't play.

As for socks- mine love my dirty smelly biking socks best of all which is probably why it is impossible for me to have any matcing pairs.

I am not advocating declawing, I think it is horrible! My cat was declawed at the shelter, she doesn't bite I think she is the exception. But she does try to get your attention by swatting you with her paws. She is a very active cat but luckily she has a very active dog. In fact my dog was so lonely when we put her old playmate (another dog) to sleep we set out to find a cat that would be her buddy. Shockingly our cat is the perfect match and both seem content, in fact right now they are playing together. I call Tortilla (my cat) Heidi's (my dog) cat. If your Dad is okay with having two cats despite the rule I think Boo will approve.

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Originally Posted by marni

I also highly recommend a toy called a cat dancer which is basically just a small squib of cardboard at the end of a three foot or so springy wire. When you hold the end without the cardboard, the little squib wiggles and dances in the air like a flying insect on a drunken spree. My guys go wild over the cat dancer, so much so that I have to hide it high and deep or they will drag it out and then hide it when it won't play.

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I gave Boo the Cat Dancer last week!! He loves it and we played for quite some time with it :)

I'm going to see my Dad tomorrow, so I'll try to clip his nails then. I think that would help a lot at the very least in preventing bad scratches. And when my Mom comes back, I think I'll work on her to get another playmate for Boo.

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Originally Posted by badger

And when my Mom comes back, I think I'll work on her to get another playmate for Boo.

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Might this not result in two cats attacking ankles? ;) Just sayin' ...

I'd try the squirt bottle first. Cat's are very intelligent, he'll get the hint.
Trying to fix an issue with one animal by getting another is kind of iffy IMO.

Point in case, we adopted two dachshunds that HAD to be adopted in a pair. While they do play with each other sometimes, they still each want 100% attention from US. They aren't happy unless we are with them, separation anxiety etc. How much comfort they are to each other is debatable.

Now this is going to sound weird, but you really need to let cats know that this is unacceptable. I have 7 cats in my house... they never go outside. Nearly all of them will play nip my husband, play rough with him with claws out, etc. NONE of them would think about playing like that with me. As soon as any cat shows a behavior with me like play-biting or claws out, I hiss at them and might thump their nose lightly, letting them know this behavior is unwanted.

It is amazing to see how different the cats are with me vs. how they are with my husband. They come and sit with me and love on me, but never, ever with claws or teeth. Cats do understand hierarchy and I am definitely alpha cat in my house.

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Originally Posted by tctrek

Now this is going to sound weird, but you really need to let cats know that this is unacceptable. I have 7 cats in my house... they never go outside. Nearly all of them will play nip my husband, play rough with him with claws out, etc. NONE of them would think about playing like that with me. As soon as any cat shows a behavior with me like play-biting or claws out, I hiss at them and might thump their nose lightly, letting them know this behavior is unwanted.

It is amazing to see how different the cats are with me vs. how they are with my husband. They come and sit with me and love on me, but never, ever with claws or teeth. Cats do understand hierarchy and I am definitely alpha cat in my house.

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you're quite right there. My dominant/aggressive cat used to bully my 90lb rottie cross. He was very submissive, and with my cat being dominant, they got on very well. He also tries to dominate me, but my boyfriend is definitely alpha over him. It's quite uncanny how he "controls" him when I can't seem to get the same response out of the cat.

Anyhow, I went to clip Boo's nails today, and I was afraid he was going to hate me, but he didn't. He did put a bit of a fuss and tried to get away, but I hunked down on top of him and clipped them. I also gave him lots of love afterwards and he didn't hide or run away from me.

I actually haven't seen this ankle-ambushing myself. Dad says it usually happens first thing in the morning, and he's learning that he needs to let Boo rip around the place a few laps to burn his energy a bit and just completely ignore him. Apparently this works and he doesn't ambush him.

I also have to say that he is probaly the NICEST cat I have ever met in my life. He's so gentle, I can touch him anywhere and not have to worry that I'll be bitten or scratched. And very quiet, too.

I had to remind my Dad that it's only been 10 days, and no one, cat, dog, or person, is perfect from the get-go. And this is the first time that my Dad's been around a new cat this much. Usually it's my mother as my dad worked.

After today, I'm 100% confident that Boo will keep getting better and be one of the best cats we've ever had.

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Originally Posted by Veronica

Did you get one of this type of.condo

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Very similar, though, ours isnt quite as built up yet :)

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Originally Posted by tctrek

Now this is going to sound weird, but you really need to let cats know that this is unacceptable. I have 7 cats in my house... they never go outside. Nearly all of them will play nip my husband, play rough with him with claws out, etc. NONE of them would think about playing like that with me. As soon as any cat shows a behavior with me like play-biting or claws out, I hiss at them and might thump their nose lightly, letting them know this behavior is unwanted.

It is amazing to see how different the cats are with me vs. how they are with my husband. They come and sit with me and love on me, but never, ever with claws or teeth. Cats do understand hierarchy and I am definitely alpha cat in my house.

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Our dog is the same way. She is so ill behaved and needy around my husband, but not me. She has to always be on him or touching him (a 70lb golden!) She wont ride in the car with him unless he has a hand on her. He thinks she's a nervous dog. I try telling him she isnt, she just has him suckered to pet her, because if I'm home alone, or driving her someplace and dh isnt there, the dog is fine! she looks out the windows, lays in the back seat, completely different dog. He doesnt believe me.