My Cat Attacked me!!

I had posted a few weeks ago re:my two boys hate each other. I woke up at 5am because my younger male-who, coincidently is getting neutered in a few hours-was trying to fight with a cat who walked by the window. I shot up in bed and threw my left arm out-he was about 4 feet away from me-he latched on and just ripped me up. I have several bite marks and I'm all scratched up. It took about 10 seconds to get him off me. I cleaned everything up good and the Aleve is kicking in. My arm is swollen and black and blue. What the heck am I gonna do?? I will obviously speak to the vet this morning. He is still seperated from my older fixed male for fighting with him. By the way-he got his rabies shot last week and has always been indoors. Is there any solution to this? I really dont want to put him on meds but I don't want to be afraid of him either. He is perfectly fine with me now and I doubt he will do this again. And can someone explain Feliway to me? Is it worth the money?? I am so upset-I don't know what to do! Thanks in advance. Sheila

I can certainly understand your concern - sounds like a major attack there.

Still, if this was just one incident than I wouldn't worry too much about it. He is not neutered and was full of pent-up aggression when you came near him. In this situation his response was actually quite natural.

You may want to read this article about feline aggression towards people:
http://www.thecatsite.com/behavior/aggression.html

I'm sorry that I don't have anything to offer about your cat's behavior, but you may want to call your doctor about your bites. Cat bites can be very serious because they can become infected easily. You probably should be on antibiotics to be safe. I hope everything works out with your kitty.

Dawn

I read somewhere, don't remember where off hand, that cats will often attack something else when they can't get to what they want to attack... called it something like misplaced aggression. If another cat is in the area with them and they see a cat outside that they want to attack they will attack the cat inside... Guess it is 'normal'...

I don't know if it would work, but if it ever happens again I would scare the heck out of the cat! scream and make lots of racket - and then put them in the bathroom for a time out. Course you prob. screamed anyways from pain - . Also if they can't see the other cat they can't get mad - ie shut the blinds etc.

Hope this helps!

Heather V. Havel
Michigan - USA

I really would get your arm checked out. I saw on Emergency Vets a woman who got her finger bit. When she took her cat to the vet, they said, "We'll take care of the cat, but you need to go to the emergency room." The doctors told her if she had waited til the day after that to go, she likely would have had to have her finger or hand amputated because of the infection in it. It's not worth taking a chance over.

Hi all! I am doing fine after my terrible experience. Starting to heal up-no redness, pain or infection. My Dad is a pharmacist and got me some antibiotics. The Evil Kitty got neutered a mere 3 hours after the attack-and is resting comfortably. Still have the cats seperated for fighting-that is the next step. The vet told me that it takes 6-8 weeks for testosterone levels to go down-its gonna be a long ride. Both still really tense up if they see each other-I want to wait a bit longer to try the re-introduction again! Its been a long week! Thanks and I'll let you know how things go-Sheila

Oops, just re-read your post and you asked about Feliway, which I use. Sorry, I must have been a goof that day (and why should that day be any different? ).

Feliway, if I understand my vet correctly, "erases" the markings of other cats (ie from their paws and face, and I believe spraying too). It helps with stress caused by them feeling that they are in another cats territory. It has helped a great deal with our "scardy cat". My cats have never gotten into any fights, so I cannot say it would or would not help you, sorry.

Heather Havel