Cat Chat (please go to cat chat 2)

[Saracirce]

I honestly think Milo just was scared by Misty and it snowballed from there. A rambunctious ten month old dog is suddenly following him around and trying to get him to play with her. She's much larger then he's used to. Her putting her paw on his back would've been the last straw. Maybe he had fallen or strained his back somehow that day and it was hurting him but he was hiding it from the humans and other cats. I don't really think it's about territory at all or, if it is, only a small bit since he doesn't seem to react all that badly to Marty and Kiba. Milo could be reacting badly to Fuzzy too because Fuzzy smells so much like dog. From what it sounds like, they're constantly with their dogs and have their dogs all over them.

Forgot to put this earlier, but, Fuzzy, your dad should probably be the one in the room with Milo since it sounds like that's who he favors and you should be the one outside the room with Marty. If you can, wash up and put on fresh clothes before working with Milo to limit the smell of dog on you.

[Infinityicypaw]

I love cats

[The Lost soul]

It could be, but without thorough info, I guess we're left in the dark here. I would like to see how he reacts. He seems to have new-dog aggression, which is common for cats. My kitten, Aleaha, doesn't like new dogs, and if she doesn't recognize a dog, she puffs up and starts hissing, until she realizes it's just Miya or Aleaha and she greets with a rub and purr before going about her day. She herself has a fear of dogs. What Milo has doesn't sound like fear to me, but I can be wrong, as anyone could. I am not perfect, so let's think....

Let's look at the behaviours and review over it to see if we can find out what's going on.

Scared cats like to avoid or puff up. This is usual cat behavior... but a cat who goes out of his way to show violent aggression towards dogs... When the dog moved, he flipped that dog over. He didn't smack and puff up like a scared cat, he flipped it over 'n slammed the pup down. I've seen my cat Thomas do that to Aleaha(in a less toothy, clawing way) to show her not to mess with him. It's dominance with that for him, and shows her not to challenge him cause he's boss. I'm sure it has other uses, but for my boy, it's dominance. Cat's have tiers of power. Dominant male, subordinate males.. then there are usually the females. Tang is the lowest tier because he's sickly and nobody touches him because Tang isn't up to challenge anybody. Aleaha likes to challenge Thomas, usually teasing him and trying to push to get his food. Thomas deals her a smack and she goes away cause a smack is all he needs to tell her'down girl, this mah territory you trompin on'.

Now, Milo was okay with a dog before, but now there is new dogs, and dogs who are more playful. Now... the playfulness adds. Dogs will put a paw on a playmate to instigate play, this is bad for cats. Cats do other body language, and a paw on the back can cause aggression. Now, it doesn't need pain for him to turn on the dog, he just needs that unwanted touching and he'll smack the living tar out of whoever touched him.

If sessions we gave don't work, you can bring something the dogs use vigorously and leave it so Milo can smell it. See how he reacts. Does he spray it, growl, hiss, or shy away like it's poison or something. This can give you some info on what's going on in that head of his. Be sure to put it away from you, and not hold it. He might swipe at it and get extremely riled. This is merely a test to see how he reacts, not a cure, and should only be done if the suggestions don't work.It is not something I use lightly. Scents are a strong thing between animals and can arouse strong emotions, good, bad, and just weird.


I agree with Sara on not wearing dog-smelling stuff. It might get him agitated before anything begins.

sounds more like a human thing to do. XD

[The Lost soul]

I love cats

Good for you. I do too. I love all cats, expecially rescue cats. I'm planning on rescuing some when I can.

[Dreamlord]

I wanted to ask if I should still let my cat roam outside we do have fences, but here's the problem
I would let my cat out every time she sits at the door and meows but there's a lot of fleas outside and we have 2 dogs and I think she's bringing them in and they spread to our dogs and now us can anyone help?
Anyway thanks and here's a picture of her saying thanks too ^__^

image.jpg (254.77 KiB) Viewed 14 times

[Saracirce]

I'm aware that most cats will hiss, puff up then run when they're afraid but some don't. Some go straight on the offensive because they've learned 'If I hurt them first, they won't hurt me' or 'If I act like this, they'll go away'. Same thing happens in dogs. Some dogs tuck their tails, pin their ears back and avoid the thing that scares them like it's the plague. Some, like my dog, go straight on the offensive, even if that offensive is just a bluff. Like this morning when my mom's bf's friend came over. When he stepped inside, she reacted by tail and hackles going straight up, fake charging and barking and trying to nip his ankles. Most people who don't know dogs would think that's her being 'mean' or hating strangers. In fact, she's very, very scared of people and she's learned that the big scary person will go away if she attacks them. (Normally, Lolita wouldn't have been out at all with someone coming into the house but I wasn't aware he was coming over and we were all busy helping my mom get out of the driveway. I didn't have time to put her away before he came in.) I've had at least one cat who did the same thing as Lolita does. She was a nervous wreck and showed her fear by being aggressive. (Just to clarify, I'm not talking about Boo's sister, Baby)

[undead]

I love cats

Good for you. I do too. I love all cats, expecially rescue cats. I'm planning on rescuing some when I can.

Don't we all? That's why we're here XD

I hate it when people say cats are lazy, or not cute, or are horrible "Beasts". It just infuriates me beyond belief.
"Why do you love cats?"
"All those fleabags do is eat and sleep."
"Those things aren't useful in the least bit."
"Cats will scratch your face off it you get near one."
And many more. I mean, sure, most of a cats life is sleeping. But have you seen them play? It's not just kittens, adults do too. And not all cats are fat and lazy. Some are actually really active, and have a good weight (Not all XD). And you may not think cats are cute. Sure, that's your opinion. You don't have to force it on me. Also, I shall say that there have been many stories out there where cats have saved owners lives. And where cats cheer the hurt or elderly up. Most of them do so much for us, it's crazy. So is it really fair to be saying all those things about cats? No.
And cats are not always aggressive. Some cats are trained. Some cats are just naturally nice. But some cats were raised on the street where humans abused them, so yeah, they would try to attack you. Can you really blame them? Again, No. There is no such thing as a bad cat. I understand if you're allergic to them, but I know many people who are allergic to them and still have them as pets. Because they are loving and sweet animals.

So everyone who says rude or mean things about cats - or any animals at all - should really stop :3

[F I R E F L I E S]

LOL I LOVE CATS SO MUCH!

[MegaCherrio]

I love cats :D

Good for you. I do too. I love all cats, expecially rescue cats. I'm planning on rescuing some when I can.

Don't we all? That's why we're here XD

I hate it when people say cats are lazy, or not cute, or are horrible "Beasts". It just infuriates me beyond belief.
"Why do you love cats?"
"All those fleabags do is eat and sleep."
"Those things aren't useful in the least bit."
"Cats will scratch your face off it you get near one."
And many more. I mean, sure, most of a cats life is sleeping. But have you seen them play? It's not just kittens, adults do too. And not all cats are fat and lazy. Some are actually really active, and have a good weight (Not all XD). And you may not think cats are cute. Sure, that's your opinion. You don't have to force it on me. Also, I shall say that there have been many stories out there where cats have saved owners lives. And where cats cheer the hurt or elderly up. Most of them do so much for us, it's crazy. So is it really fair to be saying all those things about cats? No.
And cats are not always aggressive. Some cats are trained. Some cats are just naturally nice. But some cats were raised on the street where humans abused them, so yeah, they would try to attack you. Can you really blame them? Again, No. There is no such thing as a bad cat. I understand if you're allergic to them, but I know many people who are allergic to them and still have them as pets. Because they are loving and sweet animals.

So everyone who says rude or mean things about cats - or any animals at all - should really stop :3

It's hard to imagine I used to think those things before and I was very much a dog person, but now honestly ... I'm not good with dogs. I'm too gentle and my voice isn't good for commands. My friend has a cat that apparently took eight years until it would be in the same room as her (but it was fine with everyone else in her family idk) but it was really cute and was purring away in seconds when I approached her. I'm better with being quiet, and approaching cats carefully and stuff and I always pet dogs too gentle and I watch their owners like shake them to pieces and I don't get it e-e

Also my mom's like "omg the cat will scratch everything" (another reason we can't have a cat. ugh.) but she doesn't get how easy it is to fix with a litle time, cat's are really smart too. Many dogs are aggressive too. I think some huge dog (or any dog) is a lot scarier than a cat, and there are just as many aggressive dogs imo. Maybe your the problem, stomping around and not doing things right so that's why the cat is aggressive.

[The Lost soul]

I know, that's why I say it's common behavior to puff up. Animals react differently depending on the animal, which makes each animal unique in ways, even if one cannot see them.

The diverting fear to aggression usually(usually, not always) takes a while, and doesn't start off immediately as aggression. It starts out as avoidance, fear, and stress, then they sooner or later feel like they can't just avoid it and if given a certain situation, lash out. This is rarer, and is extremely bad behavior. I wouldn't tolerate one second of it and I would let the cat know with a yell or a tap on the nose/paw/whatever. Now, if the cat seems upset, I will try to give it attention and make meeting new things a positive experience. Without the positive and the negative, it doesn't work very well. The combination helps a ton.

Our dog Miya started to lean in that direction(it usually takes a while for the animal to avert to that, it's not a sudden decision but a gradual move into it, 75% of the time. Maybe a cat suddenly had a epiphany and snapped into it immediately). I made sure she stopped and knew that behavior was not acceptable and welcoming behavior would be rewarded. Nips would be served a growl or glare.(Yes I growl at my dogs) Fixed her right up. Now she depends on me and looks up to me for comfort and guidance. She stopped nipping and is slowly coming out of her shell.. though it takes a while because she was born so timid and shy.(I'm talking about a dog in a cat forum... I need to get off this subject XD)

Anyways... I can understand. It could be one or the other... but it seems like a sudden revolt wouldn't come from that area, but it's not impossible, and could be the case. These things cannot be rushed to a conclusion. We must wait for Fuzzy to bring back info on what happened. Maybe then we can learn more about him and what's going on.

I hopes it's an easy, fulfilling fix and they can soon have their pets living in harmony. I'd hate to hear if all this was for nothing. That would be a huge bummer... and I'd probably flip a table and hunt Milo down myself to give him a death glare and ask him 'HOW DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL'. Like some idiot therapist. XD Nah, I wouldn't do that... but therapists nowadays? Yeesh!


I shall now wait for Fuzzy's findings and results.