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.
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.