Cat attacks only me

Hi, thanks for the advice your about to give (hopefully) about this problem I've been having. My roommates got a male kitten when we moved in, he was a stray which we suspect had been abused and underfed. We assumed he was around 8 weeks when we got him, but we aren't exactly sure how old he is. When he was just getting adjusted our home he was cuddly, he never nibbled me but he nibbled everyone else. Then he began acting up the week after he was neutered (he pooped and peed all over my roommates beds, not mine thankfully) which caused my roommates to give him up to some friendly people, but just a week after that he was back in our house because my roommates missed him so badly. Now hes not allowed in the bedrooms at night, but he has free range everywhere else and hes stopped pooping and peeing everywhere but the litterbox after some encouragement with treats. However, hes started only biting and clawing at me, whereas he never used to. He sees me in the kitchen and immediately runs to me and jumps at my feet and tries to bite any part of me. He doesn't do this to anyone else and he has never done this to anyone else. I thought maybe he was just trying to be playful, but he has no interest in his toys when I'm around, like sure I can distract him for maybe 5 seconds before he's back at me again. Also I don't know if this is related, but he only does a certain meow at me, its different from his food and water meows, and he only seems to do it directly at me. Also if he hears my door specifically open to the hallway, he will wait at the hallway door for me. Can someone help me understand how to stop him from attacking me? Thanks!

It sounds like play to me. He's being a teenager, basically. When a cat bites me, I put my finger down their throat, though that's easier if he's biting hands. Cat learns bite = unpleasant sensation. This doesn't hurt them. Try not to be angry with him. My cats don't bite me anymore, except one who gives gentle love bites. Don't play with him with your hands or feet, or let other people do it. That's what toys are for. Wear him out every day with a cat wand or "da bird" toy. Give him toys to bat around and chase too.

I have found that hissing at my cats can also work if they're not responding. The hiss/spit sound is more serious. Don't overuse this for everything he does though or he will just think you're crazy or fear you. You don't want him to have a negative association with you, but if all else fails, a squirt bottle might do the trick. He might not approach you if you're carrying it, but then you need to build a friendly relationship. He will come out of this phase.

I also say a firm NO, and usually that's all my cats need. They learned this because I used to say it when I sprayed them, so now they have an association. It sounds worse than it is - my kitties don't get told "no" often at all anymore. One of my cats is timid, and a firm "no" is all he has ever needed to stop a behavior. My cats don't fear me, and love to be with me all the time.

When he bites, try not to fuss and pull back. Prey runs and struggles, so this will intensify the behavior. Maybe this is why he just targets you? I don't know how you react. Ignoring can go a long way to extinguish a behavior too, but it has to be consistent.

Sit calmly and try to be friends with him. If he comes up to you nicely, give him a treat. You can even show him the bag, which might make him approach you differently. Be sure to wear him out before you go to the kitchen. This all might be controversial, but I'm coming from the perspective of a dog trainer, and I find that cats can learn rules too. I am not a cat behaviorist though. Hopefully others will chime in. Good luck.