Cat acting aggressively and out of character

[TheFatDuck]

Hello everyone

I am just looking for some advice and to see if anyone has had any similar experiences.

My cat (6 years old, neutered) has suddenly started acting very aggressively and out of character for him. I have had him since he was a kitten and he is very friendly, docile and cuddly. He likes to be held and always sleeps on my bed.

I went away for the weekend and have come back to find him acting oddly. I picked him up and he made a strange meowing sound. He later jumped up onto my bed and lay on me and when I tried to stroke him, he bit me. I was worried he may have hurt himself so put out some of his favourite food - he ate that fine and seemed to be walking/moving as usual. Sometimes if he has a fight with another cat (there is this white cat he often fights with) he likes to have his own space so I put it down to that.

This morning, I found him hiding under my bed and hissing at me and making other strange sounds. He never acts like this. Even if he has a fight, it is soon forgotten. I also go away from time to time and he never acts like this on my return - he is always happy to see me!

I have booked him a vets appointment for this afternoon.

I have asked the person who looked after him while I was away - she has said he was absolutely fine.

The only other thing I think it could be is that this neighbourhood cat (not the white cat but another) keeps coming into my house and perhaps that is spooking him? He does't seem to fight with this one though.

Any advice gratefully received!

[TheFatDuck]

Bump

[Toddlerteaplease]

Vet check asap, he could be in pain.

[WunWun]

Yes, it sounds like he is in pain.

[IDontLikeOreos]

Cats can get infections which can change their behaviour, such as Cat Scratch Disease. Have you gone to the doctors about the bite he gave you? On this basis, you should be taking antibiotics.

[BusyEvenForBee]

Hiding is not a good sign. You did a right thing by booking a vet appointment. Good luck!

[bluebluezoo]

Get the vet to rule out pain.

Then get rid of this other cat. Cats can get very stressed if another one is in their territory, even if they appear to get along. Not fighting may be because the other cat is dominant.

[Wolfiefan]

Hope the vet can help. Any sign of a bite wound? Poss UTI?

[wheresmymojo]

Another one saying vet check ASAP.

Because cats in the wild can be solitary animals they are incredibly good at hiding something being wrong with them.

This is because if they showed pain in the wild it would mark them out to any predators as being vulnerable / easier to take out.

My cat ran around - up and down stairs, jumping on and off the bed, etc with a fully dislocated hip which required surgery and pinning.

[zatarontoast]

Hopefully he's fine, but my cat does this every time we come back from holiday. It seems he wants to punish us, takes him a week or so to come around

[TheFatDuck]

Hi all. Thank you so much for your advice - it was spot on.

He had an abscess on his leg caused by an infected cat bite (I bet it was the white cat!) The vet had to drain it and has given him antibiotics and he is back to his usual self. She said he had a high temperature and was probably very sore so that's why he was so aggressive.

Does anyone have any tips on how to stop the white cat from fighting with my cat? The white cat is a Siamese and often waits for my cat outside of his cat flap and is sits in our garden being a bit menacing. It seems as if the white cat is a bit of a bully.

I know the owner of the white cat but I can hardly say anything to them!!

TIA

[HowDeeDooDee]

Thank goodness he is on the mend
Can you water spray the white cat when you see him sitting in your garden. Hopefully he will get the message and leave.

[WunWun]

Yeah I'd spray it with water too.

[Wolfiefan]

Would your cat be happier staying in your garden if you cat proofed it? Is the other cat neutered? Worth mentioning to the owners if not that it’s fighting and they could well end up with vet bills like yours!