cat attacks daughter

Good morning everyone! Our cat (saltysam) for some reason , that my wife and i can't figure out, has begun attacking our daughter when she comes home from college. Our daughter has been around saltysam ever since we got him as a kitten....there has never been any problem before until recently. All our daughter has to do is walk into the room and salty will start hissing and growling and then will take off after her......Our daughter has never been mean to him and they were the best of buds when they were growing up. (he is 8 years old). Normally Salty is very loving and usually purrs most of the time when your petting or if he is licking my forehead. (for some reason he has done this since he was a kitten) Any ideas why the behaviour change all of a sudden? Thanks!

I am not sure why his behavior has changed, but there must be something going on. When you say attack, are you sure it is not just Saltysam trying to play with her and getting too rough?

Here is another thread that may help.http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...7&page=1&pp=10

It is almost certainly something to do with her smell. At college does she have contact with any other animals, especially cats or dogs? If Saltysam can smell another cat on her or a dog then he will be scared and aggressive.

cats also dont like a change in their routine. when your daughter comes home he gets confused, feels threatened and gets aggressive.

he may even feel as though his aggressive behaviour is chasing this 'interloper' out of the house!

have you tried feliway yet?

I would rule out a health issue first and foremost. Then look to behavioral issues.

Saltysam has become very fearful of your daughter. Unlike dogs, a cat can "forget" about someone who is absent from the household for a short amount of time, or as someone suggested, there is a smell (maybe of another animal) that is scaring her. The only unusual thing about your cat's behavior is attcking your daughter. Most cats when frightened will look for the nearest bed to hide under. The fact that Saltysam is so ultra aggressive is unusual considering that he was never like that before. Maybe you should put some clothes that your daughter has worn, a shirt for example, and get your cat used to the smell of the shirt. I hope it works out for you.

Hi Beckiboo, no Salty is definitely not trying to play. All she has to do is walk into the room where he is at and immediately he will start hissing and then if she gets too close will start lashing out at her. What is Feliway anyway?

Originally Posted by saltysam

Hi Beckiboo, no Salty is definitely not trying to play. All she has to do is walk into the room where he is at and immediately he will start hissing and then if she gets too close will start lashing out at her. What is Feliway anyway?

Click to expand...

This link explains Feliway: http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/beha.../a/092404a.htm