My cat Jack has a history of attacking people. He hates the vet and he can be heard out in the waiting room. Unfortunately, Jack has a number of medical issues and has to do that on a fairly regular basis. Ever since the first time I took him to this new vet (I had one that came here prior, but he was unable to resolve medical issues), he has been less predictable with visitors.
He has attacked 2 visitors to my home. One a neighbor he was fairly familiar with, but had never really warmed up to. He was on the stairs and she started up them he growled and hissed and sort of attacked her on the way by. After she left he stayed pretty wound up for a bit. That was a year or more ago. I wrote it off to him feeling cornered and her continuing toward him ignoring the warnings (She isn't very good with animals, and I wasn't right there to see it) I hate to say it, but I sort of figured she did something.
A few weeks ago, another woman came to my house and initially Jack seemed fine. We went upstairs to my office, and Jack came too and was up on my desk. He jumped to my shoulder (which is a new-ish habit I don't care for much) and she was right behind me, he immediately growled, hissed and launched himself at her. I was able to get between them and sort of herd him out of the room in to another room and close the door. Later I let him out (She works for an animal rescue and wanted to try it) while we were downstairs and he seemed ok, then with no warning he attacked again. This time once she was gone he calmed down immediately.
Generally speaking, Jack has had all visitor privileges revoked. Whenever there is going to be someone else in the house, I move a litter box to my bedroom and let him in there with the door closed. (Its his favorite room) Being closed in a room doesn't seem to bother him in the least, although he flies out of there as soon as he can squeeze through the doorway.
To the question, my sister plans to come for a visit in a couple of days. Jack has met her on other occasions although not recently, and he has been more than fine. She is the only other person who has had the privilege of him sleeping on their lap. However, it has been 6 months or more since then, and his lack of warning on the last attack has me nervous. On one hand I don't think he will attack her (of course, I have been wrong before), and on the other I don't want to take the risk.
Thoughts? Take the risk or not?
Thanks for reading that whole long thing!
