Hi guys,

I'm having a bit of a problem with my cat. He keeps attacking me, it used to be playful and now it's getting quite aggressive. This is only when I'm in the upstairs of the house mainly in my housemates bedroom. I thought perhaps it was a dominance problem but no amount of being stern and pushing him to the floor helps. He carries on. I thought it was maybe wanting attention but no amount of play, strokes or attention he doesn't stop it. Other than this he's fantastic and it's only to me not my 2 male housemates. Can anyone help? U

Is he neutered? This will make a difference.

Other than that, the best thing to do if he is getting aggressive is to walk away and leave him alone, and pet him later when he is ok again. Pushing to the ground just stimulates him more and gets him more wound up. Avoid petting areas of his body that over-stimulate him (usually tummy, sometimes ears or paws, depends on him.)

I think he only does this to you because he "reads" your hand/body signals as being different to yor housemates' - especially if you encouraged a lot of play fighting in him as a kitten.

Another possibility is he may be reacting to a perfume or a hand-cream. I had an ex-stud cat who really reacted to me or visitors wearing perfume - he would circle you faster and faster and then leap up and bite. It took us a while to twig!

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I`ve just read about a cat attack on an american website where someone was badly bitten and didnt understand why. Now my cat had a swipe at my hand earlier... not sure why. Dont think it was "claws out" either but she did then appear to be getting wound up, again I dont know why. I thought I saw signs of aggression coming, big eyes, tail lashing...I stood up and nothing happened. Minutes later I went to the kitchen, she followed me and I fed her, now shes dozing on my lap.

Has anyone else been attacked by their cat? I love my cat and look after her well so why does she become aggressive. One thing though, she hasnt been out in the garden the last two days which she usually is, because I`ve been at work...maybe she has pent up energy/aggression? Shes usually very active in the garden, chasing birds and generally hunting! Anyone?

I think instead of leaving her trapped indoors all day I`m going to lock her out while I`m at work all day. She needs to burn up that energy! I`m happy doing that provided it isnt too cold or raining, because she has rain proof cover available and generally stays in the garden and not the front of the house/the road.