Expert: Kate Tilmouth - 8/31/2009

Question
I was sitting on my chair using my computer, and my cat was on my lap and I was stroking her, and all of a sudden she hissed and jumped on my face scratching me all over, and then I backed off and she tried to go for me again, and her tail was puffed out and she a growling and moaning... She has never attacked before, she has always been a timid and friendly cat and I have looked after her since she was a baby, what is wrong?

Answer
Hi
when something like this happens out of the blue it has to be put down to the cat becoming suddenly afraid and lashing out at the nearest thing.

What causes the fear well now this can be tricky to answer, it could be a simple bite from an insect, they could be dreaming or they may suddenly get a whiff of a strange scent which they are not familiar with.

i have heard of this happening before and you should definitely not take it personally (difficult I know) she was simply lashing out at the nearest thing and sometimes in their frightened confused state this can be quite ferocious.

Check that your cat is flea free (sometimes the static from a computer mixed with you stroking can feel like a sting or itch to a cat it may have been that)

Spend some time playing with your cat for the next few days away from the computer area to rebuild her confidence with you again. Don't force her but let her come to you while you are sitting on the floor etc, or throwing her a ball.

best wishes Kate
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