Feline Behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett is the author of a number of award-winning and critically acclaimed books, including Think Like a Cat and Psycho Kitty. The innovative methods described in all her books are based on Pam's unique way of training by actually understanding the way a cat thinks. She makes numerous television appearances including CNN, Fox News Channel, and National Geographic specials, as well as being a popular guest on many nationally syndicated radio programs. She is now considered to be one of the leading experts on feline behavior.

Q: I don't understand my daughter's cat. One minute he can be as sweet as pie and the next minute he will try to rip your arm off. And he doesn't like to be brushed. He doesn't like to get his nails cut. He will draw blood. And he doesn't like taking his hairball medicine. I don't know if it has to do with what type of breed he is. I am trying to figure out this cat. If we were to give him to someone, we are afraid that they would hurt him because of the way he acts at times. If you have any ideas on how I can figure out what breed of cat he is, maybe that might explain what he does.

A: There may be a couple of things going on here. The first may be that the cat wasn't socialized enough to humans when he was a kitten. The crucial socialization period is between two and seven weeks old. The other possibility is that you may be trying too hard and not reading his body language signals.

A cat is an excellent communicator, and he almost always gives warning signals when he's reaching his tolerance limit. When you're petting him, watch for signs of tail flicking, rotated ears, skin twitching, growling, or cessation of purring. Only pet the cat for a minute (or less), to change his behavior pattern.

Let the cat come to you instead of approaching him. This will allow him to stay in his comfort zone. Use a fishing pole-type toy to engage in playtime, so he can develop more trust.

When brushing and trimming nails, do just a few brush strokes then offer a treat or playtime. For nails, do one or two at a time to change the cat's association with the experience.

Some cats don't like the taste of hairball prevention products. Try different brands. There are also hairball prevention dry foods available.

Finally, when dealing with aggression, if you need help, ask your veterinarian for a referral to an animal behaviorist.