Redirected Aggression - any advice?

[CatAttackHelp]

Would be grateful for any advice!

My cat is two and I've had her since she was a kitten. She's generally a joy (well, a perfectly normal slightly crazed and entitled cat!). Very affection, but on her own terms which is fair enough. A bit nippier than any cat I've had previously (and I've had cats for 20+ years) but is never generally aiming to hurt.

We're having problems with what I think is redirected aggression and it's only getting worse. She absolutely hates and all cats in the garden after a few bad experiences (though I know not liking cats in your territory is pretty normal), but when she's seen them off she properly goes for me if I'm nearby - puffed up, hissing, slashing with her claws. As soon as she comes the few feet properly back into the kitchen she seems to remember I'm not the enemy and calms down. The last couple of nights we've had a stray come up to the kitchen window while we're on the sofa, and after hissing/bashing the window she's properly properly gone for me (from sitting on my lap, asking for nose kissing seconds before). I've just had to shake her off my leg where she properly dig in and has caused loads of deep scratches even as I shouted at her to get off (it really really hurt).

I don't know how I can help and stop myself being attacked like this. I also really can't have her going for my daughter anytime she encounters another cat (the neighbourhood is full of them).

Any help/advice/experience to share? Thank you!

Cat proof your garden so she’s not feeling threatened?

Thanks Wolfie - I have considered if Incould but there's just no way I could given the layout of it

I've never had a cat like this before. My old cat could sometimes give you a hiss if she's just had a fight with another cat, but never actually attack like this and seem unable to snap out of it for a while afterwards

Sorry - no idea how I quoted myself instead of you!

For the situation you describe I would temporarily at least apply frosted film to the windows so she can't see cats outside.

Is she food motivated? A shaker tub of treats to distract and feed her when this happens might help.

Feliway or similar might help reduce her stress/trigger point.

Cover the parts of windows she looks out of. Newspaper, wrapping paper, anything.

Your cat enters a kind of zone where she is fixated and only sees/feels danger. So don't touch her or move near her until you see she recognises you. Its kind of like a trance similar sleepwalking, you are quiet and careful until they snap back to reality. Use barriers like cushions or clothing. Use your voice, not motion.

It is awful though, good luck. And any chance of catching the stray?

Thanks - I think you're right and I've got to cover the windows so at least it only happens in the garden (when it's never been as bad as last night).

A trance is the perfect way to describe it - I honestly don't think she knows it's me she's attacking given her behaviour directly before and after (and just in general).

It seems like a mad thing to do when literally dripping blood on the floor, but I've actually been throwing her treats when it happens. The noise of them hitting the floor usually (but not always) seems to distract her, she runs after the treats and is then normal again (well a bit shaken, but not in fight mode).

I did wonder last night if I'm making things worse by rewarding her with treats when she attacks me. I don't think so - but please tell me if I'm making it worse!

Our cat did this a couple of times years ago - it was really frightening. She chased my DH down the garden one time! We took her to the vet and they advised feliway which seemed to help. She was around 4/5 when it happened and is now 13 and hasn’t happened since. She still really hates other cats - had a proper fight with the neighbour’s cat the other day but was fine after. I went to stroke/check her as there was a bit of blood. So I think they can maybe grow out of it? Fingers crossed yours does!

Thanks. I really hope so - I'm in proper pain this morning and there's a bruise where she sunk in her teeth!

She's due her vaccinations this month so I'll ask the vet about fellaway too.

So odd one moment being full on attacked and being scared of a tiny beast on your home doing everything possible to hurt you, and 10 mins later while applying antiseptic to your shredded ankle having a sweet cat come and see what you're up to and asking for strokes!

Frosted film on the windows for sure. I would also make sure she has lots of indoor enrichment like cat trees, scratch posts and high up places to sit and be a "cat" inside.

She does go out (when I'm home) and most days it's fine. Not ideal when she encounters another cat - but generally I get away with a swipe!

I do feel guilty that she's trapped in while I'm out, and was about to introduce her to the cat flap, but now suspect may not be the right time if the stray is still out and about.

I think it's him trying to get in that's caused such an extreme reaction so off to finally try blinds that fit my weird windows, and will put some sort of frosted film up the rest of the time.

Can anyone reassure me that my 'throw treats from the safest distance I can manage' tactic isn't madly counterproductive and she'll start attacking me every time she fancies a dreamie?

Stick with the treats, but I would put them in a tub and have them to hand so you can shake it and then throw a treat. You might find over time she stops as soon as the treat tub makes a noise and you can hand feed the treat!

It's also possible that with a flap (make sure it's chip controlled!) she can assert her rights over her garden and eventually the other cat/s will bother her less. It's probably taken my little cat about 2 years to fully assert her territorial rights to our garden!