Cat attacks dog... unprovoked!

I've had my kitty a year now. He's been fixed and everything has gone great but all of a sudden the last three weeks he's been attacking the dogs (7 and 13 years old) unprovoked! My 13 year old lab was sleeping and the cat jumped on her, dug his claws into her and chomped down on her ear! When I tried to grab him off of her he bit me too!! Few weeks ago the same thing happened with my blue heeler who's 7. Sleeping next to the sofa and he jumped off the couch onto her just to attack her! Why is this all of a sudden happening? I had to keep him out of all the rooms last night because he just wouldn't quit attacking my lab! What do I do?

I wonder if it's a case of re-directed aggression...maybe the cat is seeing something outside that's upsetting it, but it can't get to so it's taking it out on the dog.

Does this sound familier?
[article="32390"]Re Directed Aggression In Cats  [/article]
Otherwise, I'd probably look at getting your cat to the vet for a quick check - any sudden changes in behaviour could signal an underlying medical issue. Cats are really good at hiding pain and illness so that it looks like other things.

He was just there last month and he didn't mention anything. Said he was very healthy! Any reason why he would only do it at night tho? He gets up from sleeping, hunts down and dog and then attacks them! It's been just the last few weeks tho. They otherwise have gotten along great! Last night my lab nipped him for doing it! He doesn't seem aggressive any other time either. Is there something else that should be looking for? Maybe I'm missing something.

Are there any other cats around outside?

Is he doing it around the same time at night and if so, is there anything going on around the time that might be prompting it? Construction, noises, neighbours coming home, we had a cat who used to stress everytime she heard the neighbour's air-condiioner start up (they worked shifts and it was on a timer). 

It doesn't sound like redirected aggression tho! He wakes up, finds a dog and just attacks! Last night was the first time he's bit me! First time he did it I yelled at him to quit and he let her go and went back to his condo. Last night he jumped her twice in a row! 2nd time around I had to grab him cause he was really hurting her!

Nope! No other animals and it random during the day. First time it was the middle of the day! Nothing has changed at all! First time around I thought maybe something had spooked him. but then I noticed he looks for them!!

I live in the country so no neighbors either!

That is unusual. I wonder if he's trying to play with the dog? Are you able to separate them at night? Even just for a few days to see if the behaviour stops? 

He growls then with claws out he jumps on their backs and latches on their ears! They usually do play and get a long well. He would bat at their tails or chase each other. That's what I did last night. Unfortunately now the dogs are crabby and won't let him near them even during the day. I just really hope I can't figure this out soon. I want my peaceful harmony between the animals again. I'm scared he's going to attack my kids now tho. He drew blood on me last night. This is so unusual for him. He's always been so lovey.

That is really strange. I know you said he's been in the last month, but I'd probably head back to the vet, just to make sure there's nothing new. That sounds like a suprising amount of aggression and a pretty major personality switch.

Unfortunately when I got him he was a drop off. I really don't have the funds to take him back. That took every dime I had.