My Pet World: How to help a dog who panics over fireworks

Cathy M. Rosenthal, Tribune Content Agency on Jun 16, 2021

Dear Cathy,

A year ago, we adopted a male cat who was about 2 years old years old and diagnosed with FiV, FeLV and hyperesthesia. He is given medication, but it doesn’t arrest his need to bite, scratch and claw himself. When he lays on me, I gently pet him and am careful not to overstimulate him, but out of the blue, he’ll claw and bite me. I have to move him to the floor. His eyes dilate. He makes a strange noise and will attack me. He does not do this to my husband. Do you have any idea why he does this and how this behavior can be eradicated or at least modified? — Elizabeth, Green Valley, Arizona

Dear Elizabeth,

Your cat may be experiencing petting-induced aggression, which is not really aggression at all, but a cat’s normal reaction to being overstimulated while being petted. Some cats are more sensitive than others, but hyperesthesia, a condition that can make your cat’s skin extremely sensitive, especially along the back and toward the front of the tail, may be making things worse. Talk to your vet to see if there is medication to help. In the meantime, here are a few strategies to reduce your cat’s desire to bite you.

I am going to guess you engage your cat more than your husband, and that may be the reason he lashes out at you and not him. Stop petting him on the back altogether and restrict yourself to a few finger strokes to the top of the head, behind the ears or under the chin, depending on what he will tolerate. Don’t stroke more than five times, or about half what he will normally tolerate in one sitting.

Next, increase his play time to 10 minutes at a time, two to three times a day. When overstimulation is related to boredom, play sessions can help.

Try a little counterconditioning if your cat is receptive to treats. Pet him where he tolerates it, and after each stroke, give him a treat. Repeat this several times during the day for several weeks to see if you can condition him to accept some mild petting.

Always watch for signs he has reached his threshold for touch so you can stop petting him before it’s too late. A slow flickering tail, dilated eyes and slightly flattened ears are signs he’s had enough.

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(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)