To ask how I can stop a cat attacking me?!

[Suziepoozie]

I work in people’s houses. I really love animals especially cats. One family has a cat I’ve known since he was a tiny kitten but he’s recently started to behave very erratically towards me for some reason. He’s a very big cat and has recently started to pounce on me and attack me. This is not playful at all, he hisses and bites so hard his teeth and claws have been stuck in my skin.Today he’s bitten all over my legs and left me with a gouge mark on my calf that’s hurting a lot. One minute he loves me the next he’s attacking me seemingly at random. He’s destroyed two pairs of trousers already and it’s getting to the stage where I’m genuinely afraid to be near him. I have scars on my wrist where he attacked me a few weeks ago.

It happens when I’m doing anything from sitting down to standing in the kitchen. No pattern - sometimes I’ve just finished stroking him or haven’t been interacting at all.

Is there anything I can do to stop this behaviour?! I think he does it to the family but not to the same extent. It’s making working hard as he is just so vicious and unpredictable. I really love cats so I feel so confused why this is happening!

They need to shut it out or put it in a room you don’t need to go into.

Sorry I should have mentioned - I do shut him away but because he’s so big he can actually open doors even with barricades against them. It’s very strange and if I hadn’t experienced it I wouldn’t believe it. He also waits for me outside..this is the weirdest cat in the world but I still love him for some reason

That could be the issue! He clearly doesn’t love you. Sorry but they need to find a way of safety keeping you separate.

Try a plant spray to the face. It doesn't harm them but is a good deterrent. After a while, you probably won't even need to spray, just pick up the bottle.

What do the owners make of it?

They do have sprays around, I should probably carry it with me when the cats around. They’re always very apologetic and embarrassed.

The cat is very affectionate - when I get out of my car he runs up to me, jumps up for cuddles and climbs on my shoulder like a parrot. It really is quite recent that he’s turned like this. I’ve worked for the family for about three years and they’ve had him for most of that.

No changes in the family - no new babies or house changes - that I can think would have triggered bad behaviour from the cat.

Why won’t you love me again you furry git!

Can they wait and feed him when you’re there? Or would he be distracted by a toy / catnip mouse that could be taken away when you leave. If you can build up positive associations it might help.

If the owners are okay with it, spray him with water. If he still persists, ask them to get a cat carrier, take him by the scruff of the neck and put him in if you are able (or request that the owners do so). His issues aren't yours to figure out or solve. You're working. The client needs to ensure a safe working environment for you.
My own kitty could be an odd one. Very loving to lethal attack in a heartbeat. It happened a lot and is quite rare now after she eventually got taken by the scruff and told off then moved away from us all. She'd sulk a bit then behave again. Now she doesn't try to pull that crap at all.

The cat could be sick and in pain which would explain the behaviour?

What the owners need to do is lock him in a room where you don't need to go. Being attacked by a pet is not acceptable.

Also, does this behaviour come completely out of the blue, or does he give some warning (growling, ears back, cowering)?

Has he seen a vet? Any sudden and drastic change in behavior should be checked out.

I think he might have had a check up but I’m not sure, I’ll ask. He gives a split second warning, enough time for me to brace myself but not get out of the way (probably worse as my muscles are tense!) he goes from having cuddles and purring away to absolutely out of control in seconds. He eats well and is seemingly very healthy so I wonder what’s going on

They need to get the poor cat to the vet. If this behavior is a recent change and is this unusual end extreme then there is something wrong.

Will definitely ask about the vet, I’m not sure if his behaviour is the same with them which is why I was wondering if there’s anything I can do

Have you talked to the owners about this? They need to know, because it could be caused by illness.
They also need to know so they can buy you Feliway spray of the kind that soothes the cat. You can then spray a bit on your trousers (humans can’t smell it), so he no longer feels triggered. It’s quite pricey, so they should pay for it, not you.
I’m a cat-owner and I would be distraught if my cats were regularly attacking someone who worked for me.

Sorry, x-post there, but do ask them to get the spray. It’s magic!

Short term I'd buy a load of cheap balls/mice and keep a few on me. They're brill as a distraction for bitey cats. Or even a ball of paper.

Ask if you could feed him/ have some special toys for him?

And stop fussing over the little git unless you're covered in Kevlar!

Ooh will ball up some tinfoil, good plan!

How long ago did it start? You’re not pregnant are you? My friends cat went ballistic at me when I was pregnant, having always been lovely beforehand.

We have a cat that we have to crate in certain situations. We actually ended up getting an end table/crate so we can keep it in the main living area. I can’t fathom it would hold any dog since it’s cheap wood, but it works fine for a cat. She goes in on command now.

No, not pregnant but it did occur to me when it first started. He occasionally nipped but it’s only been really bad for about two months (with a Christmas break in between) with proper attacks every week, normally mid week. Very affectionate and needy in between. It’s just so odd!