I have a lovely 9yr old neutered black male cat. I got him as a rescue when he was 18 months old and we live in a suburban cul de sac with gardens front & back, and backing onto green space. He's a good mouser, comes and goes as he pleases and is very affectionate, chatty and loves attention & interacting with people.
EXCEPT over the last year or so he has on occasion chased (& if he catches them, bitten) postmen or anyone else coming to the door & pushing leaflets etc through the letterbox. I've been told off once or twice by postmen after the event, (there's a couple that are now very cautious when they approach), and neighbours have told me that he bit a double glazing salesman on the ankle. I had put it down to the fact that his catflap is in the front door, and letters coming through the letterbox sound rather like an intruder coming in through the catflap, so he rushes out and attacks. I am planning to put an external letter box on the wall.
This evening, however, I was out and had a phone call from a neighbour saying he attacked her and she was bitten quite badly as she came up the path to knock on the door to ask me something. As none of these events ever happen when I am home, I can only assume that he is anxious and becoming extremely territorial when left alone. He is totally fine with visitors to the house when I am there, and generally an extremely relaxed and happy cat.
Does anyone have any experience of this sort of behaviour, or suggestions that might help? I've now plugged in the Feliway that I always use if I'm staying away (when he has someone come in to feed), am considering, if possible, shutting him indoors when I am out (this will be a nightmare!) and will look at moving the catflap to the back if the house, to slow him down. Otherwise I'm a bit stumped, but really need to do something to help neighbourhood relations! Any suggestions gratefully received.