Behavioural problems in cats

Question From Visitor :

Dear Vet, My 2 year old neutered (at 4 months), immunized, healthy male cat is a very picky eater. If perchance he doesn’t like his food he will attack my ankles, sometimes drawing blood, and often nearly tripping me. He is sweet and affectionate in almost every other way, although he does sometimes bite with overstimulation. He and his sibling, a spayed female get along well, play and groom each other regularly. I have tried many brands of food, finding that he tires of them eventually
even if he seemed to love them at first (this is getting expensive!). I can deal with the need to change his food every few weeks but I’d like to know if there is some way of curtailing his ankle attacks. I have been using “time out” by wordlessly picking him up and putting him in the bathroom. (I never hit him, and other than “OUCH!” I try not to scold him.) After 5 minutes or so. he is docile and sweet, and
will evenl eat his food. But then it happens again. Any suggestions? Thank you - Shari

Answer :

Behavioural problems in cats can be tricky to analyse and correct. Unfortunately, I do not have a straight answer for that one.

However, in my opinion that sort of “ankle biting” behaviour is the possible consequence of either:
- Play fighting: in the wild, felines do frequently play-fight with their companions and you may on occasion observe similar behaviour orientated to his sibling. Should that be the case, I am afraid that very little can be done in terms of training.
- Re-directed aggression: He is getting annoyed with the food and since he cannot do anything about it, he lashes onto you. Then you may try to vary his diet a little more. I understand you already try that.
- Predatory instinct: He associates his meal with the necessity to satisfy his predatory instincts. Then you may try to play with him, or let him play with mouse/bird toys before his meal.

I hope this helps and wish you the best of luck with this tricky issue.

Julien

www.vetstoria.co.uk

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