We've had Toby, our intact male cat, since he was born 1.5 years ago. We rescued he, his mom, and his siblings a day after she had given birth to them. Everyone else found a home once they were old enough, but we kept Toby. He's always been a little feisty, though, I would say he's usually just like any other cat. He's got his favorite hiding places, toys he loves, and occasionally bats at feet as we walk by. We've never had any true problems with aggression... until now.
As of about a week ago, Toby has taken to running into our room at full speed, coming to a stop by my side of the bed, and then jumping up and viciously attacking me in my sleep. Not just my feet under the covers or arms hanging off of the bed, either. He comes for my face and does NOT stop until my fiance wakes up and yells at him. Last night, he left me in tears.
He ONLY does this at night when we're sleeping. During the day, he's just as affectionate and sweet as he can be. When these episodes occur, he never hisses or growls. He just comes for me with his ears pinned and claws out and slashing. It's like he knows it's mean and doesn't want to wake my fiance while trying to get at me, but seriously just has it out for me.
This is the real kicker: my fiance wakes up and yells at him, and then Toby simply walks over to him and lays on his chest to fall asleep, perfectly content like nothing happened.
My behavior and disposition toward Toby has not changed since we brought him into this house at a day old. I treat him the same as I did then. We go through the same routines every day and he's sweet as sweet can be toward me during the day. He actually used to sleep on my pillow at night curled up right by my head without a problem.
I don't know what has changed or what to do. I do not have the money for a behaviorist but I have to get to the bottom of this because feeling so afraid in my own home is unacceptable. At this point I'm almost ready to find Toby a new home because I feel that I am in extreme danger here. It's only a matter of time before he really does get a hold of me and rip my face to shreds.
Can ANYONE help? What is going on here??
As of about a week ago, Toby has taken to running into our room at full speed, coming to a stop by my side of the bed, and then jumping up and viciously attacking me in my sleep. Not just my feet under the covers or arms hanging off of the bed, either. He comes for my face and does NOT stop until my fiance wakes up and yells at him. Last night, he left me in tears.
He ONLY does this at night when we're sleeping. During the day, he's just as affectionate and sweet as he can be. When these episodes occur, he never hisses or growls. He just comes for me with his ears pinned and claws out and slashing. It's like he knows it's mean and doesn't want to wake my fiance while trying to get at me, but seriously just has it out for me.
This is the real kicker: my fiance wakes up and yells at him, and then Toby simply walks over to him and lays on his chest to fall asleep, perfectly content like nothing happened.
My behavior and disposition toward Toby has not changed since we brought him into this house at a day old. I treat him the same as I did then. We go through the same routines every day and he's sweet as sweet can be toward me during the day. He actually used to sleep on my pillow at night curled up right by my head without a problem.
I don't know what has changed or what to do. I do not have the money for a behaviorist but I have to get to the bottom of this because feeling so afraid in my own home is unacceptable. At this point I'm almost ready to find Toby a new home because I feel that I am in extreme danger here. It's only a matter of time before he really does get a hold of me and rip my face to shreds.
Can ANYONE help? What is going on here??