Naboo is approx 4 yrs old. We adopted him 2 yrs ago and he's always been very happy. Purrs, loves the house, loves "his" garage, super friendly to everyone. He is indoor/outdoor but stays in the garage overnight. He is an "only cat."
My daughter (10yrs) has always loved the cat but does not interact with him much. In fact, she used to slide around him, showing fear. He attacked her one day when my husband and I were out of the room quite savagely. We marked it up to her showing fear and possibly representing herself as lower on the family totem than him, so he decided to knock her down himself. We punished him, of course, then helped our kids see that they have to display ownership over the pet just as mom and dad do. (The kids insisted we keep Naboo, so we worked with them on it.) This has worked great and we didn't need to get rid of the cat - until this week, one year later.
Right in front of me, Naboo jumped off the ground and pounced on my daughter when she was bending to pet him. It was NOT meant as playful and it was again savage. She has several huge cuts and scratches on her neck and back. I couldn't traverse the five feet between us to get him off of her before he ran from my shouting at him. It was horrible. He is banned to the garage and outdoors for now, but I am totally flipped out over this.
I have owned cats all my 43 years and have never seen a pet do this to anyone - ever. He is totally healthy, seemingly happy. I cannot see letting him near the kids at all.
Comments? Suggestions?
My daughter (10yrs) has always loved the cat but does not interact with him much. In fact, she used to slide around him, showing fear. He attacked her one day when my husband and I were out of the room quite savagely. We marked it up to her showing fear and possibly representing herself as lower on the family totem than him, so he decided to knock her down himself. We punished him, of course, then helped our kids see that they have to display ownership over the pet just as mom and dad do. (The kids insisted we keep Naboo, so we worked with them on it.) This has worked great and we didn't need to get rid of the cat - until this week, one year later.
Right in front of me, Naboo jumped off the ground and pounced on my daughter when she was bending to pet him. It was NOT meant as playful and it was again savage. She has several huge cuts and scratches on her neck and back. I couldn't traverse the five feet between us to get him off of her before he ran from my shouting at him. It was horrible. He is banned to the garage and outdoors for now, but I am totally flipped out over this.
I have owned cats all my 43 years and have never seen a pet do this to anyone - ever. He is totally healthy, seemingly happy. I cannot see letting him near the kids at all.
Comments? Suggestions?
