Why does my cat want to kill everyone but me?

My cat just turned 4. I got her from the humane society when she was 3 months old, already fixed. When I first got her, she was friendly to everyone and always playful. After a while (without any traumatic events) she would only be nice to me. She's not shy.. She growls, hisses and sometimes even attacks when people just walk in the door. There are only two people other than me that she doesn't do that too anymore, but anyone that's met her, calls her "the spawn of satan".. But she cuddles me, gives me kisses and loves me. What the heck happened?!?! She is alone about 8-10 hours out of the day from me going to work (military) and I've been thinking about getting a kitten to keep her company. HELP ME. What should I do?!?!

Do you mind if I ask if you live alone? If not, does she do this with the other people living with you, or are those the two she doesn't do it with? If that's not the case, can you think of any reason she isn't acting that way with them? Has she known them longer or spent more time with them? Does her behavior seem more defensive or offensive?

As far as suggestions go, do you have any cat shelves or higher areas she can go to get away from people? 

It sounds like she's feeling terratorially insecure, and that insecurity is leading her to guard 'her' territory from all 'intruders'.

You say 'without any traumatic events'. You're not home 24/7. It's perfectly possible she got traumatised by something when you weren't home. I don't mean that she's been mistreated by anyone, but cats don't interpret the world the same way we do. It could even be something as simple as a cat intimidating her from outside, or maybe a window cleaner or maintenance guy spooked her one day. Cats have cat logic, not human logic.

Start by trying Feliway diffusers, and maybe look into Spirit Essences too. Give her daily interactive playtime to channel her energy in a positive way.

Next, look at the house from her eyes. Give her places to 'own' in socially significant areas of the house (ie where you spend time with guests). Cat trees, cat shelves and window perches are all good options. You could also make the top of suitable bookcases etc available to her by the use of shelving 'steps' or strategically placed cat trees. Make these places feel like hers by taking blankets/pillows etc and saturating them with her scent (let her rub all over them, stroke her with them - focusing on the cheek/jaw area where the 'friendly' pheromones come from - and even put them in her bed for a while). Place these scent markers on the high perches around the home - that way, they'll already smell right to her when she goes up there.

When guests come, have them guide her away from them and towards her perches by using a wand toy or laser pointer. She will hopefully settle up there and observe from a place of safety. They could also throw treats gently towards her. Both these approaches will help her to slowly associate visitors with good things.

It's really important that your friends don't approach her or make eye contact with her. Both these moves could make her feel threatened and liable to lash out. The key is always to let her decide if she's ready to be more social.

Hope that all makes sense.

These articles may help too :-

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cat-aggression-toward-people
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cat-behavior-for-beginners
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/six-surefire-strategies-to-reduce-stress-in-cats
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/playing-with-your-cat-ten-things-every-cat-owner-needs-to-know
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/cat-play-the-rules-of-the-game
http://www.thecatsite.com/a/the-dos-and-donts-of-cat-behavior-modification

I lived alone with her at first, got into a serious relationship where they lived with me for a few years. When they first lived with me, she was fine. Then he left for Afghanistan for 6 months, came back and she wasn't the same with him, which didn't surprise me. But he no longer lives with me. She's still okay with him when he comes over. The other person she's okay with is just a friend that's over nearly everyday. Her behavior is DEFINITELY defensive. When someone comes over, I tell them, don't try to pet her, (even if they claim they're a "cat whisperer") don't do anything, just stand there and let her come to you. Some people she just hisses and it's not hat bad. Some people she will JUMP over the couch and run up to them like they just stole her catnip. She has a kitty tower that she loves and sleeps on. There's also a bed on a shelf under my windows that she lays on a lot. I've moved about 4 times since I've had her. But she does really good with the moves. She's cautious at first, but she makes herself at home quickly.

You've just answered your original question. Her defensiveness is most likely the way she's dealing with the moves - her territory keeps changing so protecting it has become very important to her.

She looks very happy on her tower I think you're just going to have to be really firm with guests about ignoring her, and use the toys/treats to guide her away from them if necessary.

It really would be worth looking at Spirit Essences for her - she needs something to help her rebalance and get fully secure in her home. Once she's really secure she'll most likely stop guarding the house from intruders.

Columbine said:

You've just answered your original question. Her defensiveness is most likely the way she's dealing with the moves - her territory keeps changing so protecting it has become very important to her.

She looks very happy on her tower

I think you're just going to have to be really firm with guests about ignoring her, and use the toys/treats to guide her away from them if necessary.

It really would be worth looking at Spirit Essences for her - she needs something to help her rebalance and get fully secure in her home. Once she's really secure she'll most likely stop guarding the house from intruders.

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I agree. your guests need  to be told (firmly but politely) to please leave her alone. They can say hello to her when they come in the house (but no touching and no eye contact). If they leave her alone, they are putting her in charge of the relationship. she will feel less threatened and then possibly become curious about them. She may want to investigate them. They can offer her some slow blinks and then look away to tell her that they are not a threat to her. Once she becomes more comfortable having them around, they can offer her treats so she associates them with something positive. They can also use a wand toy like Da Bird to engage her in play. That should help her relax around them too. I understand that they just want to be her friends (who wouldn't? She's a pretty kitty!) but she really needs to call the shots when it comes to socializing with them. It will take patience on their part but it will be worth it. She does look quite happy in her tree 

what a lovely cat. I agree with the others and perhaps just half closing their eyes (or sleepy eyes) would be helpful to? If I remember right it's one of the ways cats tell each other that they aren't a threat and that all is well. 

Another thing I would try if possible is hanging some shelves above head level in the areas your guests would be. Perhaps having the higher ground would help her feel more comfortable and put her out of reach for those people who just can't seem to help themselves.