Why is my cat suddenly aggressive and attacking me after petting?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

  Veterinarian

  Published on October 7th, 2017

  Hi, thanks for using Petcoach! I am sorry that you are going through this!
  
  Cats are usually aggressive because they are scared. It may be wise to discuss with your Vet starting your cat on Prozac to help with anxiety since he actually attacking people. If he isn't neutered I recommend getting that done. Be sure that there are no outside cats he can see that are causing him stress (call the SPCA to come trap the feral cats) and consider making him an indoor cat if he goes outside. I recommend setting up Feliway diffusers in the house where he sleep or hangs out the most. Have people coming to the house spray themselves with the Feliway spray before coming inside.
  
  Make sure you and your guest are aware of the signs your Cat is giving. If these signs are noted your cat shouldn't be handled. There are often signs to look out for that show your cat (or any cat you approach) is signalling that it’s about to get aggressive with you. They include:
  
  Dilated pupils, direct staring
  Thrashing/twitching tail
  Hissing, growling or spitting
  The ears flatten against the side of the head or rotate backwards
  The body posture often becomes crouched or tense
  If you see any of these signs then it is best to turn away and not pursue any physical contact. The cat doesn’t want to attack you unless you absolutely force it to do so by ignoring its signals and continuing your approach.
  
  It is also not wrong to have your Vet perform an exam to be sure he isn't painful somewhere.
  
  I hope this helps! Good luck!
  
  http://pet-supplies.drsfostersmith.com/search?w=feliway%20for%20cats

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA

  Veterinarian

  Published on December 6th, 2017

  Oh no! Sometimes as they get older and more mature and are not fixed they can become more aggressive. I would strongly encourage to have him neutered to help calm this behavior down and hopefully prevent it from becoming worse. You can also try to get some feliway diffusers and sprays to help calm him. Feliway is a cat pheromone that sometimes helps to calm them. Unfortunately it doesn’t work in every cat. I hope this helps!

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

• Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

  Veterinary Technician

  Published on July 19th, 2018

  It's possible something may have just agitated Sansa. Cats can easily become overstimulated, by petting, people, noises, things outside, etc, and if this was an isolated incident I wouldn't be too concerned.
  
  If she continues to act agitated or upset, vocalizes or seems in pain, or has a continued change in behavior, I would bring her into a vet for care as sometimes pain or underlying illness can cause changes in behavior or increases in vocalization/agitation.
  
  If she checks out healthy, looking for any causes of stress (new people, pets, things in the house, etc) may help you to pinpoint the cause of her stress. Adding in pheromone diffusers such as Comfort Zone can also help with stress related to other cats or situations.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful