Can anyone relate??

Since my cat was just a small kitten, well since she was probably 1 month old (she is now about 2 years old), she has been very aggressive toward everyone. It was really bad when she was younger. She would snap at anybody, including the family, she would run crazily around the house, tear down the curtains, etc., but then we got her spayed and she settled down A LITTLE bit. She doesn't run around as much anymore, but she still likes to attack the other animals when they are playing. In other words, she doesn't like to play and when they want to play, she is mean to them and bites them and hisses at them and stuff. She even picks on the dogs. She only snaps at the family when we pick her up wrong (she has to be held on your shoulder) and only we can pick her up, if ANYONE else tried to pet her, you had better run because she will attack you. She GROWLS out the window at other cats and dogs and even chirps like a bird when she gets really excited. She always tries to get outside because she loves to be outdoors and exploring the front yard, as if it were a big jungle to her. Well, I guess, what I am asking is, has anyone else experienced these kinds of things, and if so, do you have any advice on how to calm her down a little? Thanks!!

I hate to say it, but she sounds normal - for a very feisty cat! We had one (otherwise sweet) cat who would only ride on your shoulder and couldn't be held - so we respected that and didn't try to change him. Have you tried to play with her (alone, so others don't interfere) with toys like a flexible pole with feathers stuck on the end (I forget what they're called), or rolled up silver balls that she can chase and get rid of some of her energy? She may be finding it hard to compete with the other animals, so keeps an 'assertive' or aggressive attitude, but maybe needs more personal time.

Yes, I've tried to spend "personal" time with her and just play with her, but she hisses at the toys and attacks them and not in a playful way, it's in an aggressive mean way, but yeah, maybe that really is...just the way she is

It sounds like she was molded by her mommy cat to be that way. You didn't mention her background but it sounds like she grew up "on the wild side".
Has she ever had bad experiences with people? other animals? It doesn't sound like she is affectionate at all.
A gentle voice, leaving her alone when she wants to be, a treat for good behavior, and a lot of patience are all pretty good ways to calm down a cat not sure of her surroundings.

Originally Posted by yayi

It sounds like she was molded by her mommy cat to be that way. You didn't mention her background but it sounds like she grew up "on the wild side".

Has she ever had bad experiences with people? other animals? It doesn't sound like she is affectionate at all.
A gentle voice, leaving her alone when she wants to be, a treat for good behavior, and a lot of patience are all pretty good ways to calm down a cat not sure of her surroundings.

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She is a lot like her mom. She looks a lot like her and does some of the same things as her, but the difference between them is that the mom isn't mean and aggressive like Smurphy is. Actually it times she can be affectionate, for example: When she is sleeping *lol* or sometimes at night when I'm sitting alone, she will come and lay on my lap. It's not really me that I'm worried about, it's the guests and other people who visit the home *lol* cuz she growls at them and stuff.