Thank you very much for your advice – I’ll definitely give those methods a try. As for their effectiveness – in this situation it’ll be difficult to tell, seeing as how the occurrences are quite rare, to say the least. I’ll be sure to let you know if there is a similar episode(s) in the future. I’ll also note the treatment used.

Regards,
Rick

This is quite unusual behaviour. I wonder if she is having nightmares. The fact that it takes time for her to calm down means she has been frightened by something. You could try some tincture of Valarian at 1 drop per pound of body weight twice a day. You could also get hold of some Bach Rescue Remedy from natural heath shops to see if that works. Gentle voices will also help calm her, although that can be hard if she has bitten someone. The elimination on the bed could have been an involuntary one due to fear.

Please let me know how you go. I’ll also do some more research.

Kathy

I am mystified as to why this would happen. Has the environment been changed in any way? Painting, changing furniture around etc? Has the food been changed? It sounds as though she is having nightmares and reacting to them. The fact that she is taking so long to return to normal suggests fear. See if you can get hold of some tincture of valerian and give her one drop per pound of body weight twice a day. You can also try the Bach Rescue Remedy from health food shops.

Please let me know how this goes. I’ll also do some more research.

Kathy

I’m worried with regards to my parents’ cat suddenly becoming excessively aggressive and/or defensive towards them, end the (elderly) grandmother, living with them (no kids in the home, no other pets).
She was the youngest of the litter, and the smallest, but definitely the feistiest – the reason i picked her out. Two years old now, she has been very friendly the whole time, play-fighting sometimes, but no more than that. Her favorite person is my mother, and she is friendly with everyone else.
Two incidents occurred, both behaviorally-similar: from resting position (sleep, presumably), OUT OF NOWHERE she will start to scream (lengthy, loud whine), and slowly advance in an offensive crouch towards a family member. The first time was in my grandmother’s bed, where she also decided to relieve herself, and bite my grandmother. The second was months later (I witnessed it) – the primary target was my mother (or her feet, to be more precise), then my father’s feet and my own. No attack this time. Took her a minute to quiet down, and ten more minutes of wandering around and looking around to calm down, and have her fur return to its normal look.
She has been spayed, not de-clawed. Lives in Condo – closed-off environment.

Thanks in advance!

Try spraying some strong smelling oils or use a citrus spray all around the door and the area leading to it. My elderly cat started using our walk in robe for her ablutions and citrus spray (from Woolworths) soon stopped it. I just sprayed the area inside and outside the opening (no door) and up the walls. Lavendar is another good one to use. You could also try sprinkling something like cayenne pepper around the door. If the neighbor’s cat sniffs that it probably won’t be back for a while.

Hope this helps.

Kathy

Has your cat been neutered? If not this could account for his aggression. Has anyone been teasing him? He may be reacting to this. If the answer to those questions is no, it sounds like petting induced aggression. He has had enough of being stroked and this is his way of letting you know. Try grooming him for a shorter time. Keep putting him in a closed room with food and water and some toys to play with each time he attacks you. You are not punishing him, you are letting him know that this sort of behavior is unacceptable and that you are the one in charge. You might need to do this for some time until he learns the consequences of attacking you.

I’m so happy that you want to solve the problem. Some people will just take the cat to a shelter. Please let me know how you go.

Kathy

It can be hard as the cats are adults, but you have to make the male cat know you are boss. Keep up with rationing the food and exercise, it does help. When he runs around the house clawing and meowing, try to catch him and put him in a closed room where he can’t do much damage. Laundry or bathroom are good for this. If necessary, wear gloves and long sleeves or use a towel if you have to as you don’t want to get scratched. He will complain loudly when he is shut in but will eventually quieten down. When that happens, let him out and make a big fuss of him. Repeat this each time he gets aggressive. You will find the time out in the closed room will reduce. With your blind female, try to get her interested in chasing a squeaky toy or a small ball that has her smell on it. You can do this by leaving the toy in her bed or perhaps smearing a very small amount of food on it. She will be able to find it by smell.

Good luck. Please let me know how you go.

Kathy