Cat is acting absolutely psychotic

I've had my cat, a spayed, female Maine Coon, since she was 2 months old. Now she's two years and, just tonight, started acting violently insane. Normally, she's the most loving cat you'll ever see. She isn't just being defensive, she's aggressively attacking me and my roommate. It's not playing either, she's going full tilt with yowls and hisses and flattened ears. She's really trying to inflict damage. It took me 10 minutes with a broom just to get her out of the bedroom so we could hide in here in peace. This is a very small apartment, so having a psychotic and violent cat is a no-go. I don't have the money for extensive vet bills or cat therapy. I need some ideas as to what's going on and how to fix it.

Some background:

-She's been spayed since I got her

-She has NEVER acted anything like this before.

-She's a 100% indoor cat

-She has no visible injuries

Welcome to The Cat Site and sorry it's under these conditions. How is she now?
Could your cat have seen something outside that caused her to go berserk? A strange cat, fox even? It could be displaced aggression: she seems something she can't get to/at, so she takes it out on you.
Any new scents on you or your roommate--have you been around another cat? Animal?
Also you say she is an indoor cat, but could she have ingested anything (thought that's a stretch). Some cats act out if they are in pain.
Finally if she shows any other unusual behavior--particularly if she starts hiding and or not eating--then something medical is probably going on and she needs to see a vet if at all possible.

I agree with ritz.

In addition, has things been moved around the home? New food or litter? Even small changes can throw off a cats routine

You need to take her to a vet ASAP. Sudden, extreme changes in behavior could be a medical problem. That needs to be ruled out before anything else. We also need more info to help with ideas.

It sure sounds like redirected aggression. Seeing another animal through the window, smelling something on you, there could be a million different things that set her off. I would definitely get some 'calming treats' at the pet store or order them on Amazon, they couldn't hurt and she needs something to help her calm down. Once set off, they can take days to calm down again, so something definitely really scared her. If it's been longer then a few days, something is CONTINUING to scare her. Has anyone else been alone with her that could have hurt her? Or came in when you didn't know? I hate to suggest that, but there are a lot of people that don't hesitate to hurt cats, and I would hate for her to be mistreated. Good luck and keep us posted!

I hope that she has calmed a bit since you posted. Take a deep breath first and foremost. This can be a very common problem IF the cat has been completely freaked out by something and that something you may not ever know what it was. Could be as other above said, something outside, something hit the window, someone above stomped on the floors (if you live in an apartment), a loud explosion somewhere in the distance, a stranger who came in the apartment with your roommate that you didn't know about, really any number of things could have set her off and she is directing her anguish on you and your roommate or she could be in some sort of pain. Definitely something has her extremely stressed and I hope you can put two and two together to figure it out. :cross: Do not use anything to frighten her further such as that broom - but I understand your needing to get away. Try not to yell, shriek or make any sudden loud noises at her as this will only fuel her behavior and insecurity making matters worse for the long run. Best to try to ignore her right now (I know hard!!!!!) and see if she can calm herself over a day or so.

If she is not calming down then she may need anti-anxiety meds to help her get over what has her so scared and freaked out. I hope that upon you reading this, you will have some better news. :cross:

Took her to the vet today. Evidence is pointing to a kidney stone and/or UTI. She's much calmer now that I have pain meds for her. She's on a 10 day rabies quarantine for safety, but she seems to be okay at the moment. Thanks to all who responded.

CoreyB said:

Took her to the vet today. Evidence is pointing to a kidney stone and/or UTI. She's much calmer now that I have pain meds for her. She's on a 10 day rabies quarantine for safety, but she seems to be okay at the moment. Thanks to all who responded.

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I am glad that you took her into the vet. What tests did they perform to determine a UTI or stones? AW poor baby, I am so sorry that she has been quarantined!! Usually that is only for a biting incident. I am sorry for her having to be away from home while she is so sick. That will be very stressful for her. Mega, mega, mega vibes for your kitty. Please keep us posted and glad that you came here for support.