I've never been AFRAID of a cat before

I've been afraid that it might bite or scratch while I'm trying to pill it or something. And I'm always respectful when meeting a new cat - that's just common sense. AndI don't expect all cats to be friendly when I first meet them, that usually takes some time with cats, unlike your average lab.
Anyhoo, I just came back from a pet sitting visit and I was shaking after meeting this cat! Holy cow!!! My info sheet says "Lulu -cat, black, not really friendly". So I think ok, it'll probably just run and hide from me, so I'll just feed her, scoop litter then take the (super friendly) retriever for a walk. No problem. Well, I've got the key in the door and first thing I see is this cat in the window spitting and snarling at me. So I cautiously enter, and the dog comes bounding down the stairs in joyful greeting while Lulu growls and swipes at us both.
So I go to feed them. Trouble is Lulu rushes in between their dishes and the cupboard where the food is. I have to bend down to open the door and I don't want to risk my face being used as a scratching post, so I go down to the basement to scoop the litterbox instead.
So I'm in the basement looking around for the box when suddenly wham! Something hits me in the leg. I turn around and Lulu's there spitting and yowling and swiping at me. I actually feel fear at this point! I'm trapped in a corner by this ferocious beast! I look around desperately for something to defend myself with and pick up a sports bag which I use a shield while I get past the cat.
Lulu takes off upstairs again, and I manage to find the litterbox and scoop it. Then I cautiously go upstairs to the kitchen. Lulu's nowhere to be seen. I quickly go to the food cupboard and measure out the food.
Then Lulu suddenly rushes in and plants herself in front of the open cupboard while snarling at me and swiping the dog who's trying to eat her breakfast. So I put down her bowl across the other side of the room and stay out of reach. Thankfully, she's hungry and rushes over, so I'm able to shut the food cupboard again. Then I grab the leash and the dog and I'm out the door as fast as I can! Phew, thank goodness the doggie was a sweetheart at least.
I couldn't find the cat when I returned, and I was very cautiously looking around for her.
I have 5 more visits this week to look forward to. I have never met such an angry, defensive cat who wasn't in pain. I'm just stunned that this is a non-feral pet in a house with young children, nice pet-loving people and lots of people coming and going. She's well cared for and used to humans. I'm just stunned by her meaness and have a new-found understanding of just how well a cat could defend itself if need be - no sensible human's going to mess with that!
I came home a snuggled up big time with my sweet cuddly boys. That feels better.

wow, lol talk about your rude kitties. I would of scruffed it by the neck to correct it. Or get paid extra for dealing with a cat that thinks she's a pit bull (hehe).

Alot of cats end that way with not much time and affection, my girl Krizzma her mom is a stray that will attack you . When every Krizzy gives me a nasty look or tries biting/clawing i scruff her to correct her always works.

I hope everythings ok.

That doesn't sound like much fun! Hopefully she may get used to you over the days and will be your best friend by the end of the holiday!

I'd wear large rubber gloves and wellies until then though!

I recommend the gloves & boots, too
KittyPaws, I've never heard of scruffing before, although I've pushed down dogs & held them there, till they understand that I can't allow them to attack me. Could you please give a details on what scruffing is??
{{{Protection prayers & vibes}}} that the next 5 visits are peaceful ones

I was picturing this in my head as I read your post. I once had to go feed a cat for my friend when she was away and this cat must have been Lulu's evil twin - same thing - she swiped at me when I put her food dish down. I spent as little time as possible with her.

lol ouchy. Well its exactly what the mother does when she explains to the kitten he or she is doing bad. You pick them up by the back of the neck as if you were there mother correcting them for bad behavior.

People do it with all types of animals its natural for them and it gets fast reactions my cat would get to nasty when she played and i just scruffed her by the neck and she quickly stopped.

Oh dear! My Grandma's cat was a little like that at times but he was abused before they got him.
It certainly brings it home what rescuers deal with, then taking on feral cats!

My sister was viciously attacked while cat-sitting for her neighbor, also a friend of my mothers. Tau Tau leaped on her legs refusing to let go. My sister ended up with stitches and antibiotics because the scratches and bites were so severe. I saw the neighbors floors afterward and my poor sisters trail of blood. She had to wait for animal control to arrive to get off the counter onto which she lept to escape the attack (thank goodness she had a cell phone.) Animal control took TauTau into custody until her owner arrived home. She was visiting China and wouldn't return for a month, and my sis couldn't face that cat again. I've seen the cat on numerous occasions since, and she usually just stays out of the way, but I'm always weary around her.

I hope the rest of the week is not as terrifying for you.

When I had Tommie he bit me while I tried to put him from basement into garage. I was really nervous about geeting him in cat carrier for the vet trip to quarantine him (stary-no shots) I put on my welding gloves which are pretty darn thick. He tried biting a few months later due to be doing something he didn't want assistance with. So I'm a bit more cautious now.

Oh my Wendy, sounds like one ticked off kitty!!! Reminds me of my Trixie. I had tried to give our Tiggy a bath. Well, he fussed and howled. Trixie came flying in the room at me, charging me with her fangs out!!! She must have thought I was hurting Tiggy. I tried to calm her down, I even put Tiggy down on the ground to show he was ok. Wet, but ok. Well, that wasn't good enough for her......she charged me three more times. She had me backed up against the kitchen sink. She never did bite me and I was able to talk her down, but yeeesh!! She's never done that again. And here all the time I thought she hated Tiggy!!

How scary, for all of you who've dealt with it. I'm very thankful that I've never met a cat like that before, and hopefully never will. You are all so very brave

Thanks for the vibes everyone! I wasn't sure if more people here would be rooting for the cat!
Anyhoo, back to give the girls their dinner. I'm thinking maybe she'll be calmer second time round, but Lulu is there at the door to greet me with a lovely hissy fit. She did seem somewhat calmer in that she wasn't swiping at me this time. So I go into the kitchen and quickly grab the food containers. However, I'm at the sink when she comes up behind me and stands really close, glowering at me. I stood stock still, heart racing, trying not to think of Annasmom's sister. I'm afraid she'll attack me, so I throw a kibble across the floor to distract her. She pounces at it and snarls then turns back to me. I throw one closer to her and it distracts her enough for me to move out of reach. I fill their dishes and try desperately to put hers safely on the floor without her launching herself at my face. All the while the poor retriever is going bonkers waiting for her dinner! Lulu is yowling and swiping at the dog. I back out of the room and go grab the leash.
Thankfully dogs don't take long to eat dinner, and she's ready and willing to come for a walk with me. We go for a looong and really nice walk in the woods - I really took my time, putting off going back!
When I got back, I had to clean the litterbox again, so this time I arm myself. I've brought a big towel to throw over her if need be, and also a spray bottle of water. She lets me downstairs without incident, but when I come back and go to the kitchen to write a note, she follows me. She seemed fine one minute, then the next she's just growling a hissing like a rabid animal! I just don't understand. She was coming toward me, so I sprayed her and she ran through the catflap in the basement door. I threw the towel down to cover the flap and drag a chair there to block her coming through. She didn't like that and attcked the towel and had a fit. But it gave me a few minutes of safety to write my note!
When I left I uncovered the catflap and made for the door.
Phew! what an exciting job I have!
I feel bad for upsetting this cat, and I have to wonder if there is something physically wrong with it. That kind of extreme behaviour is something you'd expect from a sick animal.

Originally Posted by kittylover4ever

Reminds me of my Trixie. I had tried to give our Tiggy a bath. Well, he fussed and howled. Trixie came flying in the room at me, charging me with her fangs out!!! She must have thought I was hurting Tiggy.

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Aww, she's looking out for her friend! That's actually kind sweet - scary though to have your own cat charge you like that!

Originally Posted by Pombina

My Grandma's cat was a little like that at times but he was abused before they got him.
It certainly brings it home what rescuers deal with, then taking on feral cats!

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It does make me wonder if she suffered some kind of abuse.
And I have a newfound respect for those who deal with feral cats, that's for sure!

Maybe the cat thinks she's a dog, and she's defending the house while her family is gone? YIKES!

This is terrible and I'm really sorry for you!

That is super scary! I would be terrified! Safe vibes coming your way

Pretty scary! But, um - is this cat ok? She hasn't been abused or is a rescued feral or something is she? It just seems like awfully strange behaviour for a domestic cat, and her family need to be careful that she never really does attack anyone or they could be in a lot of trouble and worse still, may be forced to have her pts. I have never been around a cat like that before and would probably poop my pants but it does sound awfully strange that a family pet would be so vicious

Originally Posted by KitEKats4Eva!

Pretty scary! But, um - is this cat ok? She hasn't been abused or is a rescued feral or something is she? It just seems like awfully strange behaviour for a domestic cat, and her family need to be careful that she never really does attack anyone or they could be in a lot of trouble and worse still, may be forced to have her pts. I have never been around a cat like that before and would probably poop my pants

but it does sound awfully strange that a family pet would be so vicious

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Yeah, I have to agree. It's just such extreme behaviour. I'm trying to think of a good way to broach the subject with my boss without sounding like I'm complaining. There has to be an explanation.

There sure does - and don't you have a heart of gold for going over there every day and facing the monster! It makes me really sad to see a cat behave like that - I just don't think its natural and I don't believe in `evil' in animals. Something must have happened to it, surely, to make it so frightened and angry. Good for you! I know I would certainly be very apprehensive in your situation. Glad the doggie makes up for it!

Update - I actually got to meet the owners when they stopped by briefly. So I tactfully asked if perhaps something was wrong with the cat. Nope, that's just how she always is with strangers! Apparently one time she attacked some repair men too. But she's good with the family. Holy smokes!!
Oh well, I survived the week and although she didn't exactly warm to me, she didn't assault me again. She was growling and hissing so much while eating her kibble that she kept spitting it out. I would've laughed, but I was too afraid. I'm just grateful I still have all my eyes/limbs etc.
And I'm pleased to find out that's she's not suffering any physical illness, although you really have to wonder at her mental state!