Aggressive Cat - Mixed Signals

nancylam92

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My cat who already has play aggression, has recently (last 4-5 months) developed a new aggression towards my boyfriend and I. He will aggressively rub his body on our legs back and forth while hissing in between. He will continue to do this sometimes his fur will start to fluff up and if we try to take the slightest step he will lash our and bite us in the leg very aggressively to where we are bleeding from puncture wounds. If we (mostly me) react in a way after he bit us to show that we are scared or upset he will sometimes go into an offensive stance and kind of chase after us. It is quite terrifying and it definitely makes me feel very uneasy whenever I wake up and get ready for work in the mornings because this is the prime time for his aggression to kick in. When we come home at night he's usually calmed down, but as his "fits of aggression" have been happening every single morning I can see him sometimes getting agitated in the evenings. I'm trying to understand what triggered this aggression recently because he never had a care in the world when we would leave for work as we have always left at the same time every morning for his entire life. I've read a few articles and thought he was experiencing anxiety about us leaving, but now I'm not so sure. I would like some advice on how I can simply remove myself when he starts circling my legs because once it gets to that point I know I'm going to get bit.
 

rubysmama

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Hello and welcome to TCS. Sorry it's your cat's aggressive behaviour that brought you here. :(

How old is your cat? Is he neutered? Is he an only pet? Did anything change in your home at the time this behaviour started? Any stray cats hanging around outside? Is he eating/drinking/sleeping/using the litter box normally?
 

Mamanyt1953

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When was his last vet check? This sort of behavior can be triggered by physical illnesses and pain, as well. Best to touch all the bases, here, so we can try to help you better.
 
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nancylam92

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Hello and welcome to TCS. Sorry it's your cat's aggressive behaviour that brought you here. :(

How old is your cat? Is he neutered? Is he an only pet? Did anything change in your home at the time this behaviour started? Any stray cats hanging around outside? Is he eating/drinking/sleeping/using the litter box normally?
He will be 3 years old this April. He started showing signs of aggression a little over 2.5 years old. He is the only cat, aside from our rabbit which stays in her play pen. No drastic change in our home that I can think of during the beginning of his aggression. We thought there might be a stray here or there, we live on the 2nd floor in an apartment complex. There is a squirrel that hangs around our apartment and he's been outside with the squirrel on the steps and he was completely fine. He is eating/drinking and using his litter box normally.
 
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nancylam92

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When was his last vet check? This sort of behavior can be triggered by physical illnesses and pain, as well. Best to touch all the bases, here, so we can try to help you better.
He was recently neutered 1/7/19 and received all of his vaccines. It was a small clinic so I'm not sure how in depth they went with his examination prior to his operation. His whole like he has been very clingy to me, he follows me everywhere and if I am not within eye sight of him he will get up and move so that he is near me. It kind of feels like he has separation anxiety whenever we leave for work, but I'm not sure how to help him feel safe when we leave without medication.
 

inkysmom

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Get him checked at the vet. He's been neutered late and he may have something physical going on. Medication to calm anxiety and aggression is not a bad thing, especially if he's drawing blood with his bites.
Medication did wonders for my dog with separation anxiety.
 

rubysmama

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Since he's only been recently neutered, it's possible that he'll calm down once the hormones are completely out of his system. It can take several weeks after neutering for that to happen.

Meanwhile you could look into Feliway, or calming treats/collars, as some members find them helpful.

Here's a few TCS articles with more info, as well:
Cat Aggression Toward People
Why Do Cats Attack?
How To Stop Playtime Aggression In Cats

Is Your Cat Stressed Out?
You, Your Cat And Stress
Potential Stressors In Cats - The Ultimate Checklist
Six Surefire Strategies To Reduce Stress In Cats
 
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