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Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/what to do?...my cat attacked me....he has never acted this way????

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/15/2009


Question
I have a 10 month old male indoor cat who I have had since he was 4 weeks old...bottle feed him until he was able to eat normal food....anyways...today the attack occurred when I got a suitcase out of my closet under the stairs...I had it in the hallway opening up the zippers checking if anything was in it...all of a sudden he ludged at me...hissing growling and scratching he got me pretty good...I finally was able to get outside away from him, but when he heard my voice talking 2 my boys to put him in a room and put the suitcase back in the closet...he came charging for the door at me...if the glas wasn't there he would have got me again...they finally got him in a bedroom with water and food...I have no idea what triggered this behavior from my usually sweet cat...I have had this suitcase for a few years now...and a couple of years ago did have some other cats that use to B around it...and my cat now has been around in the past when I have left the closet door opened and he went exploring....I have no idea what to do...my sons have tired to let him out of the room...me in my own room just so he wouldn't attack me....but it is very hostle and if he hears my voice he starts to go crazy and meows and even tries to get in my room...so he is in the bedroom till I can figure out what to do...the suitcase is back in the closet and the door is shut....please help me...love my cat so much but I'm very scared of him right now and what he'll do...if he sees me agian

Answer
Tina,

Wow! What an experience! If the closet under the stairway was poorly lit, it is possible he didn't recognize you and was protecting the boys.

It is very rare but there is a disease known as Mad Cat Disease which is very similar to the Mad Cow Disease where cats suffer from embolisms in the brain which causes them to go crazy.

I would keep the cat locked up for a while to let him calm down. Then slowly go to him with a dish of tuna so he associates you with something pleasant and not something negative.

If he shows any further signs of aggression I would take him to the vet. That kind of aggression can also signify severe pain.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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