cat (mis)behaviour expert

[badger]

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.

[zoom-zoom]

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.

[badger]

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.

[Jolt]

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.

[Biciclista]

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.

[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. As a kid, I had a cat that would attack my ankles - I don't think he was playing and I probably instigated it!!! 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!