Cat gone wild

Third in a series

Behavior medicine is all about improved quality of life for everybody but there can be limits; our genetics are the cards we are dealt. PJ was an inveterate predator despite the steady flow of healthy food into his dish. Civilization at Jenny’s and Phil’s house just didn’t satisfy his innate programming. Even more than most pussy cats, he had the skills and motivation to thrive in the wild. Sadly, he was rarely allowed outside to function like a real cat.

It was Aristotle who observed that, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Unmet needs get met. All PJ wanted for his birthday was a colony of gerbils. With a natural outlet for his primal need to stalk and kill he would have never targeted Jenny or the family dog Micky as his surrogate prey.

Feral cats are survivors; they’ll hunt any time of day or night but the urge rises, according to their internal clock, around dusk when their meals on little legs actively forage. PJ’s violence against the woman and Chihuahua in his life had occurred on multiple occasions but always between 6-9 PM. That would be a perfect time for Jenny and Phil to uncage a few rodents. But, no, indoor varmints were not a part of their decorating plan.

PJ has always loved both of his people but he’d never tried to injure Phil, a bigger human than Jenny. We can conjecture that, early in PJ’s life, his predatory proclivities were triggered by Jenny’s smaller size and her quick movements. With repetition he’d learned to associate the sight of her, during the evening news cast, with acting out his inner savage.

PJ suffered from other sources of agitation. Remember him rubbing his head on Phil’s thigh just before Jenny quickly entered the room? His physical exam revealed a chronic ear infection. Pain anywhere in the body is a common influence on reactive behavior. The bobcats and coyotes visiting the yard were further triggers for PJ’s angst. He was both predator and prey. Already agitated, his adrenalin running high, he found the sashaying Jenny, wine glass in-hand, an irresistible mark.

Despite PJ’s primal inclinations, his aggression was a nonstarter. Punishment or verbal reprimands might interrupt his ardor but would do nothing to diminish his motivation.

Next week: Can PJ be a cat and a respectable citizen?

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For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.