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Could nipping and biting be a form of nurturing, i.e., removal of distressed subject?
1 year ago we found a barely 2 wk old female Domestic Shorthair dirty, crying, and drenched in some solution that burned her skin. Matt recovered nicely, but has always been skittish and very, very active. She played well with 3 smaller dogs and an older spayed male cat in the home. A few months ago, my 10-yr old grandson became upset and laid on his bed crying. We went in to check on him, and Mattie tore through the room and attacked the back of his neck. She then attacked my daughter as she left the room with her claws and teeth. My daughter freaked and I brought Mattie home with me. I noticed when I made any sounds that might be construed as crying or distress, Mattie would run to me and wrap herself around my arm or shoulder, if laying down, and start nipping. She would also open her mouth and try to surround a piece of skin. At first I was concerned, but I believe she was trying to dominate and protect me, trying to find my "scruff" to remove me from a distressful situation.
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Guest 001088
on Sep 9th 2009
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in Aggression
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Does Mattie have a nice relationship with your grandson? Even if not, she probably realized that he was distressed, and was perhaps trying to protect him from what she may been the cause of his distress, i.e. the humans in the room. Our childhood cat, who was generally not affectionate, came running to me once when I was screaming and crying at being teased by my brother--whom she did not attack. Another possibility is displaced aggression--the cat is disturbed by the noise but is helpless to do anything about it, so attacks whoever is nearest. Did any of the bites penetrate the skin? Were the attacks on your grandson and daughter different from her attacks on you? It sounds like she is reacting to sounds of distress, but whether this can be construed as nurturing behavior, or something akin to a mother cat "scruffing" her kittens, I have no idea. Maybe other Catsters will have more insight.
Leila
answered on 9/9/09.
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My rescued Shepherd Husky can be a very high strung dog. When my Springer is in distress, such as when I accidentally step on her paw and she yipes, my Shepherd/Husky will attack her. I wonder if Mattie, because of her past history, is also high strung and doesn't know how to handle situations where someone else might be distressed. Since animals have no words, they use their claws/teeth. If this is a common occurence and/or you find that now you don't trust Mattie's behavior, you may want to check with your vet about anti-anxiety medication for Mattie. There are many to try if one doesn't work. It concerns me that Mattie seems unpredictable and the next time could go for someone's face.
Izadore (Izzie)
answered on 9/10/09.
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when one of the other kitties is freaking out when they're being groomed or having their claws trimmed, kaya will come over and repeatedly bop the yowling kitty on the head-not with a great deal of force, but very quickly and she keeps it up until i can get a hand free and shoo her away. i tell her: "not helping" but so far she either doesn't get it or doesn't care.
this is definitely a reaction to distress-but it doesn't seem particularly comforting to rhymon or jadyn.
however...it could still be her intent. when i have cried, kaya has walked over to me, circled me reapeatedly, and every so often reached up to pat me on the face-no claws. she will also love-bite my chin and lick my eyelids. so...it's possible. but if she's breaking the skin, i think she's getting a little too upset by people being upset-and anti-anxiety meds could help. (btw, it's possible that she was "defending" your grandson from his sister, like momcat chasing away predators or other cats.)
kaya skye
answered on 9/13/09.
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