Help - unprovoked attack on my 3 year old :(

[LingDiLong]

We got a rescue cat about 6 weeks ago. We deliberately chose one that was fine with kids and very chilled out. There were some teething issues at first with 3 year old DD being a bit too excitable/sudden in her movements and subsequently getting scratched. Lots of close supervision and guidance seemed to have resolved it.

Then, out of the blue tonight, the cat has gone for DD. My DD was having one of her (many) tantrums and was weeping and wailing. At first, according to DH, the cat came up and rubbed against her which was very sweet. The cat went away down the hall way and DD's tantrum progressed to full on screaming because DH was trying to brush her teeth...DD was lying on the floor screaming while DH was stood over her and the cat ran down the hall way, leapt at DD and scratched her face.

What the heck is that all about?! The cat was apparently a 'cruelty case' but I don't know her exact history. She seems very chilled, seeks people out to make friends with them. Doesn't tend to scrap with the other cats in the area, just hisses at them. I'm panicking slightly because I'm a childminder and although the cat hasn't so much as batted a paw at any of the kids I look after, I feel worried that she might go for them too.

What happened? Can I do anything to prevent it happening again?

[Fluffycloudland77]

I think it's the prolonged crying which distressed her, don't forget she's a cruelty case and in the past loud screaming or sounds of distress/anger have probably resulted in her being hit so she's got in first today.

I think the centre are a bit naive in re-homing a cruelty case with a family with kids of any age really, I'd have thought an older couple would have suited a cruelty case better.

Could you separate the cat from the family at bed time? A utility room or safe place?.

[issey6cats]

you know your daughter so what i would suggest if you see her building up to a tantrum, just calmly pick the cat up and put her in another room with the door shut till your daughter has calmed down, it probably was just the prolonged screaming that made her go into attack mode, and children luckily grow out of the horrid threes lol

[LingDiLong]

Thanks both. I guess it does make sense. The prolonged crying has made me dipshit crazy today, I shouldn't be surprised the poor cat couldn't hack it.

I'll definitely be more aware of that as a trigger in future and remove the cat from the room.

[cozietoesie]

As you said. I reckon she just got fed up.