Help cat bit me when kid cried!

cdahms

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I am looking for some advice. I have a 6 year old fixed female cat. She was a stray kitten a few months old when we took her in. She has always been slightly anxious and bitchy, but never aggressive to humans. We got a male kitten to keep her company when she was around 2. She tolerates him for the most part, and some days even seems to like him, but stocks, chases and beats the hell out of him regularly. (Not sure if that will have any relevance to my issue).

So, 2 days ago my 5 month old son fell, scared himself and started screaming. When he started crying my female cat started hissing at me (I had the kid in my arms) she hissed, jumped and sunk her claws and teeth into my thigh. It was a vicious bite that drew blood. I tried to close the door of the room I was in and she jumped, hissed and scratched at the door. She has never seemed to care about him crying. She would normally just leave the room. I can't wrap my head around the fact she attacked me. We have her locked in our spare room at the moment. Both my husband and I have been in the room with her and she is acting all cuddly, loving and purring. The problem is that I don't trust her anymore. She won't be easily re-homed (if at all) as she is not great with other animals, not good with kids apparently, and doesn't warm up to people quickly. In the past we have talked to the vet about anti-anxiety pills to help her calm down. Do you think this would help? We have tried the Felway calming plug ins, and they don't seem do do anything (we had 3 plugged in for months, and didn't see any change) any advice would help. I don't want to get rigid of her unless I have to...but the safety of my son comes first.
 

lamiatron

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wow @CDahms

you're in such a horrible position.

I don't have experience with what you're going through...pet not getting along with child and being violent towards owner...but here are some things to consider, and try, and I hope they help you

1) it could be that when your baby fell and scared himself and started crying, it could have scared your cat too. She doesn't understand what happened, and she lashed out at you since you were carrying your baby. It could have been worse in a sense, that she could have attacked your baby...and not you. but she didnt' attack your baby. I just think she was startled in a horrible way

2) I have a skittish kitty too..my girl Jet is also a former stray. She's always anxious, and she'll hiss at a dust particle if she has to. She's a piece of work. I've never tried the plugins because i've read SO many mixed reviews. I didn't want to waste money on it. I did try composure calming treats, as well as sentry calming collars...and they have been working out GREAT with her. Maybe those are some things you can try out. My cat Jet is skittish, but she's not violent, she just hides a lot and shys away from other people. 

3) I would keep her in one room for now, with her food and litter and monitor her behavior to see how she is doing. definitely keep your baby away from her for the time being

4) consider taking her to the vet to see if there are any health issues with your girl. cats are good at hiding pain, but sometimes they will lash out and attack, or hiss, or behave very strangely...it would be a good idea to have her checked out at the vet to rule out any medical issues.

I strongly suggest that before you get her on any anti anxiety pills, because in the long term they will affect your cat's kidneys and liver, try out the calming treats as well as the calming collar, they might be more effective than the plug ins. the sentry calming collars comes in a pack of 3.

i'll link below.


 

ritz

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I'm sorry you're having trouble with your kitty.
I would recommend a visit to your vet, first to make sure nothing medical is going on, and then, yes, to discuss anti-anxiety medication.
Cats pick up on nervous energy, so try not to act anxious/fearful around your cat.
Interestingly, Ritz (female) is also skittish and anxious (hard life when she was a kitten). She doesn't react to the sound of cats meowing, but has a strong negative reaction to babies/children crying. I wonder if the pitch of the noise might have disturbed your cat.
 
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