Answers at Dogster Answers.

Sun, Sep 13th 2009, 10:38 GMT

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.)

ANSWERED BY

kaya skye

Wed, Sep 9th 2009, 23:50 GMT

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.

ANSWERED BY

Izadore (Izzie)

Wed, Sep 9th 2009, 14:38 GMT

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.

ANSWERED BY

Leila