Have you ever owned a cat/kitten that displayed any of these behaviors while being the only feline and/or pet within the household?
*inappropriate rough play (biting too hard, causing injury during play, biting ankles, hitting or biting while you walk away) with people or other non feline pets
*excessive neediness towards people
*Meowing/Yowling constantly and plantively
*Obessively suckling on themselves, other pets, clothing, blankets, or humans
*random attacks when ignoring said feline or walking away to evade aggressive behavior
*Destructive Behaviors (Pica, excessively breaking things, knocking things over constantly, chewing on nonfood items)
*inappropriately urinating/defecating outside of litterbox (usually targeting items you use regularly such as your clothes, pillow, bed, shoes etc)
*display multiple personalities (wants excessive affection one moment then is showing aggression or acting like its possessed as it rips through your house then the next moment secluding itself)
If you answered yes to one or more of these behaviors listed, there's a high chance you had/have a cat with what is commonly called OKS "Only Kitten Syndrome" or "Tarzan Syndrome". This condition is not commonly known about in the pet/feline community and most people go through their lives without ever hearing it. However this syndrome alone counts for almost half of shelter returns and rehomings. These kittens/cats are assumed to be "aggressive" or "mean" and get dumped, rehomed, placed in shelters, and/or euthanized. Kittens with this may grow up and get worse in these behaviors truly becoming too rough and very aggressive to other animals as well. This syndrome usually occurs in kittens that either are/were orphaned or only kitten litters (kitten under 4 months of age) and never given a proper feline companion that fit their specific needs. However there are cases of even "teenager" cats getting this syndrome as well. Now not every kitten that goes home under 4 months of age will suffer from this syndrome. Its near impossible for breeders, shelters, and rescues to predict if said kitten will develop it. For this reason you may notice some shelters insist you adopt two kittens around same age, this is literally a way to cure a kitten/cat of OKS. Now there are other possible ways to help a kitten/cat with this syndrome overcome it without getting another feline but the easiest, quickest, and most effective way is getting another kitten. However you have to be careful, you can't just pick any kitten and throw it in with your current one and poof their cured. You still need to practice safe introductory practices, supervise them, and find a suitable kitten. You should base your decision on: level of energy, age, temperament, and personality. This ensures success in curing the OKS kitten/cat and a healthy bond can form in your beloved felines. Now people with dogs that get a kitten may still have their kitten experiance OKS as only a feline can teach a feline proper healthy feline behavior. A human saying "ouch" isn't half as effective as the way another feline shows/says "ouch" and corrects the behavior. This is why its so hard for human alone to correct, not impossible but very very hard with lower success rates. We feel very passionate about this topic and it doesn't get nearly enough attention as it should. If you have a OKS kitten look for an ideal feline for them and/or look into resources to help correct the behavior before you have a difficult cat situation on your hands. If not corrected you may have a aggressive cat that cannot be housed with other felines, small children, or other pets which is alot of the reason why you will see cats listed as "only pet household" cats. They didn't get proper socialization so they are now fearful or threatened by other animals or small children. Let's educate ourselves for not just us, but also all the cats that go undiagnosed and become the "unwanted" felines!
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