A Look at senior pets healthy in Cat PTS for behavior?
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Pet Seniors
Question by melissa: Cat PTS for behavior?
I am considering putting my 4 1/2 year old healthy cat down because her behavior is terrible. I do not know what to do! I feel awful putting a healthy animal down but.. she’s just wired wrong. She attacks unprovoked. I’m talking just walking by.. not cute chasing your feet crap she attacks claws extended she bites to break skin. Cute stuff.. sleeping in the bathroom sink. Not so cute when you’re out of the shower and changing and she literally lunges with the claws with your back turned to her. She’s constantly attacking my poor 16 y/o cat. I can’t even let my great dane be unsupervised with her! She got a claw in her eye and cost me 950 dollars at the e vet. Dane is uber gentle with her and sweet and leaves her alone (maybe tries to sniff her butt here and there). My older cat leaves her alone. My boyfriend and I continue to try to play with her (with that 9 ft da bird thing there is no safer way to play) soothe her psycho and talk sweetly and gentle pets, which works sometimes but always turns aggressive..I really just get to the point where I want to just put her food down and try to avoid her cute crazy ***.
I LOVE her and feel responsible for her, like I would any animal I bring into my home so this feels like giving up. She’s fed a high quality diet (switch between Orijen/Arcana) She’s had urine, fecal and THOROUGH bloodwork several times (as recent as 2 mos. ago seeking cause for behavioral issues) she is spayed. UTD on shots and had a dental recently. My vet requires her to be sedated for grooming, she gets matts and you just can’t even touch her with a brush. She would make a lovely outdoor cat perhaps but this area is not safe at all living near a major interstate. I’d rather give her a gentle goodbye then see her never come home and wonder if she got run over..or find her dead =(
I know rehoming is maybe an option if I could find a good enviornment, but with ALL the cats who need homes who will want mine? She’s a liability, she should NOT live with children under 12 under any circumstance. I would need to find someone who understands her behavior, and understands that she bites and scratches. They hurt and it’s an infection risk so please don’t tell me to just rehome her to anyone..my vet thinks she is territorial, defensive, play aggressive etc.
Any suggestions? Should I just put up with this… and hope that in 10 years she calms down? I feel like this route is also likely.. cause I feel horribly guilty about putting a healthy animal to sleep like I said. I just cant imagine living with all these scratches and bites forever, not being able to groom her or take her to the vet without sedating her… and I feel so bad for my poor senior cat who just wants to eat, sleep, and be left alone!! She has arthritis and she deserves some peace.
What would you do? Please understand that it breaks my heart to consider this. I am crying as I type this because it just sucks. I do my best to take care of her well and I am not abusive, I love all my pets dearly and I am not just trying to dump her off to someone else or PTS cause she’s inconvenient for me.. so please don’t flame me.
I appreciate your thoughtful responses. I have tried some ‘natural remedies’ flower essences and things like that with little-no change. My vet has mentioned euth as an option but it sounded so ridiculous and quite frankly I was angry when she said it…I’ve had cats all my life and never had any issues like this. She’s also referred me to a DVM behaviorist, but noted, as you said, it’s very expensive and cat behavior is very difficult to change. I am still considering it..but I don’t see what would help. I reward her immensely for all calm and gentle behavior…but it’s obvious she can’t help it!! I don’t get mad at her (frustrated of course), I am just very sad we’re all living like this. I keep her separated from my other pets when we’re not home…if I can round her up to get her in my bedroom. Many times I can’t. Still hanging in there.. I’m glad others have heard of this kind of cat agression 
Best answer:
Answer by Diana
this isn’t always necessary, just keep trying to work with her and reward her when she is good but tell her off when she is naughty. if you do not have the time or can no longer cope, then consider handing her in to a rescue centre as they will work with her and see if she is suitable for re-homing or not. this way she will have another chance in life and who knows how she might turn out.
just don’t give up and give her the best possible chance you can by giving her that second chance 
im sure you’ll choose the right thing to do. i wish you all the best x
What do you think? Answer below!
Pet Seniors
Not going to flame you at all. I agree with everything you say. Some cats are just exactly what you describe. I do not think your older cat should be made to suffer, nor should you or your dog. I feel that cat behavioral issues are very hard to change, unlike a dog. I would try to investigate the possibility of re-homing her, however slim the chance for that is. Possibly some type of no-kill sanctuary? That being said, a cat with a behavioral problem such as this will have a hard time getting adopted. Sounds like you have had enough, and who wouldn’t? Humane euthanasia is probably your only option. Remember, you have lived with this and tried. Physically she is healthy but mentally? Not so much. One possibility is asking your vet about any sort of medication to try and help her, even a bit. Also, there is something called Feliway which I believe is pheremones plugged into a wall outlet. People report their cxats to becomme calmer with the use of this. Never used it, just heard some good things.
That being said, do not feel guilty about putting her down if it comes to that. Clearly you are a pet owner that is responsible and does not take euthanasia lightly.
have you tried chemical help? You can start off with something mild like Rescue Remedy or Bach’s Flower Essences or talk to your vet about something a little stronger like Valium or some other prescription to help calm her.
I’m currently working with a foster mom who has stimulation aggression. Sometimes when I walk too fast near her she wants to lunge at me. I just have to keep an eye on her and when I see her get riled up I need to slow down and pay attention to her needs. I’m working with her to help her learn better behavior – and I am hoping that spaying her will help calm her down a little because she is a great kitty. So I know where you are coming from. I’m currently trying clicker training with her. Giving her something to do seems to help. As does giving her long play sessions to help work off some of her energy.
It sucks. But some cats just were not given the proper conditioning as a kitten, and some are just wired a little bit differently and they do not make good house pets. If she is putting you and your other pets in danger, then putting her to sleep might be in her and everyone’s best interest. You could try to rehome her to a barn or other rural setting where being outdoors won’t be quite as dangerous as being near a major interstate, but that too has it’s risks.
I am sorry you are having to face this. What ever you decide I am sure it will be in the best interest of everyone – even if it is not an easy decision to make.