Monday, March 21, 2011

Need to Solve a #Cat Behavior Issue...Anyone?

Sleepee, a 5YO neutered male cat we recently acquired from our local shelter, likes fuzzy things. That's probably not strange in itself, but he will steal a stuffed animal, for example, carry it around, stuff it under his belly so we can't get to it, even attack someone who tries to take it. He's grabbed my almost-2YO grandson's fleece shirt - while he was wearing it! - and my new slippers with my feet in them in addition to stuffed toys...& just REALLY attacked our minpin when he got too close to a teddy bear Sleepee was "guarding". He sucks on them and/or chews on them, something scary to a small child when the cat has his sleeve and refuses to let go, and gets mean when we try to separate him from the baby who gets really upset. (No fleece-wearing rule in our house now!)

He is a sweet and funny cat...unless there is something soft and fuzzy around him, then he gets really protective and even mean :(. Other than that he is wonderful in every way. I can always take him back but that is a LAST resort, and not something I would usually consider until I've tried everything else, or unless he actually hurts my grandson; we really have grown to love this cat and his funny endearing ways, so I need some solutions to this. I've trained many dogs and parrots quite successfully over the years (people tell me I have a "way" with them) but I don't feel such a connection to cats, and training doesn't come naturally as it does with the other animals.

If anybody might be able to guide me in this I would really appreciate your advice :).