(OT) What to do with an insane cat?

[Kahuna Burger]

Nothing to massivly disagree with in the previous advice, but some additional notes. If the room the cat has chosen can be closed off, do so. Definitly leave food water and box in that room, esp overnight when it probably sneaks out to investigate some. (if you want your own national geographic special, set up a low light video camera.)

I would recomend getting the cat used to you a little, but there is a specific method to this. Sit in the room, a reasonable (non charging) distance from the chair. Sit facing slightly away from the chair and talk quietly about whatever. If the cat sticks its head out, try to pretend that you don't even notice or care.

If possible, develope allergies to cats so that it will come out and rub on you.

Finally, KEEP AN EYE ON THAT BITE. If it is getting red around the area, any swelling, warmth, etc, hie thee to a doctor immediately and get some antibiotics - even the healthiest house cat carries nasty bactieria in its mouth and I have had coworkers still need medical attention after a bite which I had immediately cleaned like crazy with multiple disinfecting and antibiotic agents.

Kahuna Burger (imminently taking a break from her 6 year on and off animal care carreer.)

 

[Ysgarran]

I'll second this advice and I'm speaking from personal experience. I got a nasty cat bite on my index finger which pierced the knuckle. The infection set into the synovial fluid and the antibiotics I got just wasn't doing the job since there isn't much blood flow there. About 24 hours after I got the bite I spent 36 hours in the hospital. The doctors opened the knuckle up to wash the infection out.

What surprised me is just how fast the swelling set it.

Ysgarran.

Finally, KEEP AN EYE ON THAT BITE. If it is getting red around the area, any swelling, warmth, etc, hie thee to a doctor immediately and get some antibiotics - even the healthiest house cat carries nasty bactieria in its mouth and I have had coworkers still need medical attention after a bite which I had immediately cleaned like crazy with multiple disinfecting and antibiotic agents.

 

[Zhure]

I'll second the catnip.

 

[Leopold]

catnip or fish works well!

 

[Gothmog]

I'll offer the third voice supporting Kahuna Burger in this discussion- keep an eye on the bite, and disinfect it at least once per day. Cat bites are filthy and easily get infected, even from cats that never leave the house or hunt. One of the professors on my graduate committee was bitten one night on the foot when he went to the bathroom, and he ended up getting a serious infection that put him in the hospital for two days. He got rid of the cat soon after that.

Oh, and Kahuna Burger- that allergy thing? I can completely relate to that. I am extremely allergic to cats, and on the few occasions I am around them, they always try to get in my face, then claw my eyes out.

 

[Harlock]

I've had the same sitaution now with my cat and later my wife's cat and then both of them when we moved into our new home and then even later when my sister-in-law moved in with us and brought her cat along. The cat is making forays out of the chair, most likely at night or when no one is home. The catnip idea is a good one. Also, getting the litter box, water and food nearby isn't too hard. Push them along the floor with a broom if you are afraid of retaliation. put a little catnip on the food dish when you do this. And yes, watch the bite. I know you think the cat is insane, but all cats are insane. I've had cats all my life and there is just no explanation for the vacant, cocked-head, big-eyed stare follwed by sprinting with wild abandon into another room, followed by the turned sideways, arched-back, jumping-sideways exit back into the room it started in... Cats are nuts, that's what makes them fun!

 

[Mercule]

catnip or fish works well!

I recommend catnip. It's vaguely related to mint and smells mild and earthy, but somewhat similar. Fish smells like, well, fish.

The cat's behavior sounds slightly high-strung, but not too far out of bounds for a cat. I'm not a vet or anything, but I've been around cats pretty much continuously for the last 30 years, so I have a bit of insight into cat psych.

Cats are _very_ attached to their surroundings and owners. Even in the best of conditions, cats react poorly to changes. This sounds bad, but they're a bit like autists in that regard. Yeah, cats are like a simple-minded Rainman armed with a bunch of tiny switchblades. Imagine the cat is under the chair, all tense and saying, "Kmart sucks. Yeah. Definitely." Now don't screw with it.

Anyway, all the advice the others have given is good, too. I just wanted to give a nod to understanding (such as it is) the cat's behavior. That usually helps with the patience bit.

Also, I don't know how quickly the move is happenning or anything, but if the cat had a chair or blanket or some such that he liked to curl up on, you might want to see if you can borrow that for a bit. Sometimes a cat gets attached to just an object. Give them that and they will adapt a bit quicker.

 

[Umbran]

Okay, I haven't seen the chair, and this may sound dumb, but I'll mention it just in case -

Are you sure the cat isn't stuck in there? You say he's inside the furniture. Are you absolutely positive that he can get out? His described behavior is also consistent with him having gotten his tail or a leg jammed into something. His surliness may not be from the shock of moving, but from simple pain and injury.

 

[MarauderX]

ROOAAARRRAAWWLLLLL....

GET AWAY FROM ME!! DON'T TOUCH ME!! NOTHING GIVES YOU THAT RIGHT!!!!

<---- I know exactly what you are talking about.

Seriously though the cat sounds like it never learned to control or restrain itself when dealing with new surroundings and people. I would bet the owner never admonished the cat for anything it did wrong, and in comfortable surroundings it wanted lots o' affection & attention.

Now on the flip side, it's out of it's element and afraid of everything it comes in contact with. I'm not sure if you have any other pets it will need to contend with, but it will need to take baby steps either way, much in the way Kahuna Burger suggested. It will learn the different smells and sounds soon enough and will grow accustomed to your voice as well.

If you are worried about it destroying things provide some outlet for it besides your good furniture or curtains - give it a scratching post with some play things on it.

 

[Umbran]

Re: ROOAAARRRAAWWLLLLL....

Seriously though the cat sounds like it never learned to control or restrain itself when dealing with new surroundings and people. I would bet the owner never admonished the cat for anything it did wrong, and in comfortable surroundings it wanted lots o' affection & attention

Possible, but perhaps we shouldn't be engaging in net.diagnosis, especially when none of us is a veterinarian or animal behavior specialist. Especially when any reputable vet or behavior specialist will avoid diagnosing before seeignthe animal and interviewing the owner thoroughly.

Perhaps the cat was never admonished. Perhaps he was admonished, but not well socialized as a kitten, and so only recognizes his original owners as friends. Perhaps he's just scared out of his wits. Perhaps he's hurt, or has a urinary tract infection. There are many possibilities, and we aren't in a position to tell which.

If he continues to behave oddly, call a veterinarian. Find one who asks a lot of questions. Answer them as accurately as you can. Occasionally, you can still find one who does house calls and will come and see the poor beastie under the chair.