[barbnefer]

I have an 8-year-old cat that was the son of a feral mother. He has never been abused in my household, and he lives with two "normal" cats. But he still will only let me pet him on his terms, and only on the head or back. Also, he sometimes goes crazy and bites me severely for seemingly no reason. I'll be petting him, and he just loses it. He will come to me occasionally for attention, and he sleeps with me at night (although he's gone nuts in the night a couple of times, and I've woken up being bitten). Is there any hope for him, or do I just let him live on his own terms and give up hope of socializing him any further?

[myscruffymerry]

I don't think so. Ask your vet to be sure.

[sugarcatgrl]

I had a cat that took about 10 years to truly trust me. Don't give up, and yes, let him be affectionate on his terms. Let him seek you out. Perhaps he had been abused as I suspect mine had been. She did eventually show love for me for two years before she had to be put down due to cancer. I treasure those years!

[A-Rod's Mama]

Pun who I recently inherited is also 8 and crazy-LOL. But in the sense that he is so playful, who would think he is a kitten. He goes wild, runs laps, gets into everything and anything and chases my kitten A-Rod like there is no tomorrow! A-Rod who is 10 months old. Sometimes bites for no reason. But I really think it is a playful thing. Cats get stuck in their ways just like humans!

[Mana]

my aunt's cat was a stray (not feral) and young when she took her in. everything you described, her cat does also. Just like a dog, your kitty likes to call the shots. It's a dominance thing. Since your cat is 8, I think he is as social as he will be. Continue petting and loving him, making sure that there is alone time for you two, in which he doesn't share you with the other kitties.