Aggressive cat

[AllTheThingsHeSaid]

She is nearly ten months old, and has been with us since she was around ten weeks. Came from a family I know, her parents are even tempered, as are her siblings from the same litter. She attacks everyone. Not always- she can be sleeping sweetly on the sofa beside you, then launch an attack suddenly and from nowhere. She had attacked every single visitor we've had (which is not many because of Covid, but still.) She's just attacked my son who was sitting and playing quietly, far away from her.
She has her own safe spaces in the house, access to food and water, plenty of quiet spots she can go to. We never touch her unless she comes to us.
Feliway does nothing.

I've had so many cats but she just seems to have this streak in her. Even the vet said she's the most aggressive cat she'd ever treated.
Please help. I'm fucking stressed about this. I worry that it's a sign of her unhappiness here, that we're doing something wrong, but also, my children bleed because of her almost every day. This scratch on the youngest now is deep and painful. I don't know what to do.

does she just suddenly launch herself at people? if your son has a deep and painful cut he needs medical advice, cat bites and scratches can turn nasy. has the vet ruled out any medical conditions or pain anywhere? if she is that aggressive I would seriously think about rehoming if she is not safe around children, meanwhile I would probably keep her in a crate although it breaks my heart to say that because I love cats.

Well I wouldn’t crate because it’s highly stressful and she’ll be pissing everywhere.

How much play time is she getting?.

By crate I mean something like a large playpen with litter tray, toys food in when in the same room as family. Kitty might feel threatened by something.

You can't keep a cat in a crate or pen - it's cruel. They're designed to roam, explore, jump and climb.

Does she go out? How much playtime does she get? Is she neutered?

My feisty and somewhat aggressive cat has mellowed out with the help of Zylkene 75mg sprinkled into her dry food. She's still very bossy and dominant, but she's more relaxed now.

@vanillandhoney

You can't keep a cat in a crate or pen - it's cruel. They're designed to roam, explore, jump and climb.

Does she go out? How much playtime does she get? Is she neutered?

That's pretty much the same for dogs... Cats are penned crated at the vet clinic, Catteries, and in shelters/rehoming centres. Yes it's not an ideal long term solution but if it keeps the OP's family safe until a permanent solution is sorted it may be for the best. @AllTheThingsHeSaid you need to figure out what kind of aggression this is and what may be triggering it. This article may help

www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/aggression-cats

I don't really agree with crating dogs either - fine in the short term if they're unwell or recovering from surgery but not as a permanent or long-term arrangement.

It's also very different if it's being done under professional supervision and care - your average moggy would be miserable as sin to be stuck in a crate or pen on any kind of long term basis.

Mine would scream the house down.

@vanillandhoney

I don't really agree with crating dogs either - fine in the short term if they're unwell or recovering from surgery but not as a permanent or long-term arrangement.

It's also very different if it's being done under professional supervision and care - your average moggy would be miserable as sin to be stuck in a crate or pen on any kind of long term basis.

Mine would scream the house down.

That's probably why no one has suggested it as a permanent or longterm solution, but only as a temporary safety measure. Restricting opportunities for aggression is essential for safeguarding animal as well as human welfare.

Pets that are given the opportunity to be aggressive are much more likely to be euthanised, and so it's important that those opportunities are limited until behavioural assessment can take place

Is she actually spayed?

Is she actually being aggressive or is she trying to initiate play too harshly? Is she hissing or growling when she pounces? How old was she when she left her mother? Do you play with her with fishing rod toys etc?