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Question
I've had my cat for 11 years. I found her when she was 6 weeks old. She's never been aggressive to the point of attacking me or hurting me. In October, she attacked me and I had to clasp the sides of her jaw to get her off my wrist. I don't know why she did it, since all I had do was lightly pick her up from some fabric she was sleeping on which I needed. At the time I thought maybe she was sore somewhere and I had touched the sore spot. But two days ago, she attacked me again. Out of the blue, since I was sitting in the recliner. I heard her breathing get loud (she sounded a little like a bull), her ears were flattened. I sweetly asked what was wrong, and she jumped on my wrist again, bit down and with her hind claws scratched my arm from the wrist to the elbow. I managed to get her off, and I put her in the laundry room for about 5 minutes. when she came out, she was calm and even licked me. I don't understand her behavior, and it's starting to worry me because she's never done this in the 11 years I've had her. She's also the only cat I've ever had and so I'm not too sure what it could be either. Basically, I'm wondering if I should worry about this and take her to the vet.
thank you
Marie-Jo,
I am assuming she is an inside only cat and spayed? At age 11, your cat is geriatric and it is possible things are going wrong medically. I would have her checked out by your vet. It could simply be she is in pain and that is how cats react when they are in pain. It is also possible something is off in her head. If the behavior continues and there is no apparent cause, you might have to have her put to sleep.
A couple of other things to check out are whether there are any new, strange outside cats hanging around your house? Whether you are using a different cologne or perfume? Changes in litter pan habits?
Please let me know what you find out.
Concerned regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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