Animal psychosis

Is it possible to have a psychotic animal? If it is, then we do.



Our cat, commonly known as 'Puff' (real name: Puff Daddy Pimp Master Flash, but, as our son pointed out, you can't name a tiny fluffy ginger kitten after a large black rapper, hence the nickname) has serious mental health issues.



He goes from suckling Rob's jumpers - which we refer to as his 'bitty' jumpers (he has his two favourites) to attacking anything that moves. He terrorises the dogs by leaping at their faces, at their tails, at any part of their body which happens to tempt him at the time. Even Bonzo, greedy lab that he is, used to scuttle away from his food to allow room for Puff to have a sniff. Unheard of in Bonzo's world, where food is on his mind about 100% of the time.



Puff seems to have a mysoginistic streak, as well as his psychosis; for he regularly attacks me and goes at it with the determination of a terrier. 'Attacking' involves biting and scratching me quite viciously, mainly on my hands and arms, but he also loves feet. He has drawn blood from Zoe's feet before. The screams coming from the kitchen still make my blood run cold. But then, Zoe can be a bit of a drama queen.



I think one of this problems stems from the fact he actually wishes he was a dog. When he hears the clanking of leads (causing a certain amount of hysteria in the doggy population) he runs and stands by us (ignoring the scrum; he really has no fear of our dogs at all) and meows hopefully. WE have to literally lock him in a room to prevent him running out the door and following us.



When 'treats' are being doled out, for supposedly 'good' behaviour, he waits, expectantly, for his reward. He is extremely put out when he doesn't get one - I'm not sure if cat treats exist? Then immediately runs to Rob for the comfort of 'bitty' and then back on the attack.

He comes when you call (actually, this is more than the dogs do); lies in the dog's basket and plays ball with them. He would much rather have their nasty dried cheap food than his nice expensive Felix pouches.

I've heard of gender issues, so perhaps this is the animal equivalant. A sort of 'I'm a dog trapped in a cat's body' dilemma. I'm sure in the States there would be a counsellor who could help. In the meantime, he will continue to terrorise our entire household.