How do you make a mean cat not mean?

Answer 1

The first thing to do is stop yourself, walk away, and calm down for a second. Everyone eventually gets angry at their pets, but it's critically important to remmember then don't really understand how you feel, what hurts you or makes you angry, and so on. Instead, domesticated animals like cats and dogs rely upon you to make sure they don't do anything wrong -- the structure of their brains doesn't allow abstract thinking. Yours does. Once you're calm, ask yourself who you're angry at: the cat, who doesn't know any better -- or yourself, for not protecting the cat from doing the wrong thing. With cats and dogs, they do a lot in the relationship, but you and you alone understand morality, good, bad, mean, nice.... and you are the one who needs to take control and make sure they don't make mistakes that anger or hurt you, or make you want to be mean.

Answer 2

It is difficult to do. Make sure your home life is peaceful and no one is teasing the cat. If the cat is continually teased or tormented, then it will never get over its meanness. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to treat the cat with respect and calmness. When that happens, discipline the cat if he should bite or scratch you without reason. Say No firmly and smack the little bugger, just keep it short and sharp, don't go on and on with the punishment. You are the leader and will not tolerate the cat biting you or scratching you. Give the cat lots of love but don't over do it. Some cats just flat don't like to be petted or loved on or held & hugged a lot, so if he or she is that way, just leave them alone, let them come to you when they need some loving. If they come to you, be calm and stroke them one way down their backs. Cats are not like dogs, they don't normally like to be patted on or their fur ruffled backwards. Just stroke the cat one way and maybe a little soft scratching under their chins. Don't stroke the cat's belly, stay away from that area on a touchy cat. Most cats love it but a cat that is touchy will bite you everytime. Just some fast discipline when he bites or scratches for no reason, get him away from you too and then ignore him. Get a plastic crate for him or her too. That is an easy way to travel with the cat, such as to the Vets office. Take a big towel with you to wrap the cat in if he needs to go to the Vet or use the towel if you need to do something with the cat that you know he is not going to like.
Little treats given out when the cat is being calm is good to do too, but not when the cat is hissing or acting the fool. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The best way to curb "bad" or "mean" behaviour is to try and understand why your cat is behaving in such a way. In a lot of cases, sudden changes in behaviour are often caused by medical problems. Other times, it is caused by changes in routine (new pet, moving house, even moving furniture around, for example) that have stressed the cat, or the cat isn't getting the care/enrichment/environment it needs, or has been abused in a previous home.

Some behaviours that are classed as "bad" by us are perfectly natural for a cat; exploring and jumping on kitchen counters and tables are part of a cat's nature. Cats are curious creatures and like to have a good view of the environment from a high place. Playing via biting or scratching is perfectly natural to a cat, too, but can pose more of a problem.

Cats that are a bit too rough in play can be taught to play more gently. If you haven't already, avoid playing with the cat with your hands. If the cat manages to grab or bite your hand or arm, the best thing to do is to ignore the cat. A biting cat, or one who is playing roughly, will often let go as its "prey" is not responding. Diverting the cat's attention to attack a toy is also a very effective way of keeping a cat from being too rough.

A hissing or growling cat usually isn't being mean; it's a sign that the cat is scared and hissing, growling, or puffing itself out are all ways to make the cat look bigger than it is. Some cats have a more "flighty" personality than others, and even little things can make them jump or stressed out. All cats need a quiet area they can go to and give themselves a "time out", especially cats that are stressed out easily. Feliway is highly recommended in such cases. Feliway emits pheromones that helps cats stay calm, and is said to be very effective on most cats.

It is also recommended to never resort to "punishing" a so-called "mean" cat. Shouting, hitting, or even spraying it with water is likely to cause the cat to become scared of the owner or become aggressive. Some cats will try to hide certain behaviours (scratching or toileting inappropriately for example) away from the owner if they know they will get punished for it.

Any sudden behavioural changes are recommended to be checked out by a vet, just in case.

Answer 4

If the kitten is not the cats then your cat is probably putting this annoying, playful little kitten in it's place. If your cat is just jutting out her paw without claws extended then she is telling the kitten who is boss. However, if the cat is biting or being nasty to the kitten then you are going to have to separate them for awhile and if this doesn't work you will have to consider giving the kitten away to someone you know. Generally in time your cat will tolerate the kitten as it starts to grow up.