My cat attacked me now I'm scared

[Elfontheshelfs]

My cat is 5 he has never even scratched me before viscously attacked me as I went to feed him I ended up needing 9 staples in my head. I love him so much but I'm terrified to even be in the same room as him. I've taken him to the vets nothing is wrong he is a indoor cat and I stupidly didn't get him done as he was such a good boy. He is booked in for next week. I really want to keep him but how can I not be so scared of him even just seeing him sends me into a panic my partner has been looking after him and I've kept him separate from me since and has been about a week now.

Also - doesn't your flat stink?? Unneutered toms smell dreadful.

I'm afraid I found this really upsetting to read and I feel desperately sorry for your cat.
You've taken an unneutered male and shut him indoors.
Either you neuter your male cat and keep him in or you have an entire tom that's free to roam. It's no wonder your cat went batshit. You are suppressing every single one of his instincts, and all because you just haven't got around to neutering him.
It's really unfair and I would go so far as to say cruel.
There is nothing fundamentally wrong with your cat. You have failed him.
Please sort this out as soon as possible, you could get him booked in for the snip early next week and then for God's sake let him out.
You need to step up and do the right thing here.

We had to re-home a cat after he did similar to our son. No stitches involved, but what was once a bap turned into claws across the face, it was sheer luck his eye was closed as the scratches went across his eyelid.

We couldn't risk it as it was a child involved. He's since been with an elderly family friend for several years and has never once attacked her.

Cats are funny things. Hopefully the op works. But definitely be more watchful of his body language moving forward.

Maybe you could rehome him so he could be an outdoor cat?

Clearly you haven't read my updates he is booked in for Tuesday.

I hope you're ok after the attack. I hope your cat is too. My cat occasionally runs at my feet and he's neutered and free to roam. I'm not scared of him though he occasionally bites when over stimulated by heavy petting from my son but its a nip to say back off. My son is learning to read the cats body language. Neutering is definitely important and hopefully will calm him down and then you can build up some trust and get a better relationship. I love my boy he curls up and sleeps with me every night but when he was young and not neutered it wasn't easy he was more aggressive.

Either you neuter your male cat and keep him in or you have an entire tom that's free to roam.

That's something you should NEVER do - let an unneutered tom (or any cat to be fair) out to roam. That is how we have so many unwanted cats in the country, often turned out to stray or being born feral.

The only cats who should be left unneutered are those from specific breeds who will be used for breeding.

When he's neutered and recovered, please let him outside to roam.

Exactly.

She may be in a flat

The problem with an entire male cat is that the testosterone fuels aggression, as well as horniness. I’m glad you’re giving him another chance.

That said, it’s always terrifying when something comes at your head!

There are still ways to give your cats time outside, though.

I know he’s not nutered, hence why I said ‘the cat will be fine when he’s nutered’ as in it won’t cause the issue to worsen.
Yes I agree it would make him unhappy, I didn’t state either it was the sole reason he was aggressive. I asked if could it be a contributing factor and would she consider allowing him outside to roam.

My cat gets depressed in winter, this really affects his behaviour. He's a lot happier now the sun is out but a bit of rain and he's pissed off and complaining to me like I can change the weather.

No there really aren't. Harnesses are a terrible idea. A few cats can cope with them. Most find them very stressful, and lots react so badly they manage to escape the harness. We are always being told about cats lost in parks etc after being lost from a harness.

My cat won't wear a collar. He went crazy when I tried to put it on when he was a kitten. If a put a harness on I'd be asking to an attack.

Your safety and well being are paramount here. Neutering him isn't necessarily going to stop this from ever happening again. I think you need to surrender him, and tell the rescue why.

Sounds so scary 💐

Um, I didn't say anything about a harness

You can get fencing installed so cats can have balcony access.
You can get catios that attach to your windows so the cats can at least get some fresh air and extra stimulation.
You can even get walkways installed so that your cat can get in/out via your window and down a path.

Obviously they're not possible for everyone but then I would personally argue that you shouldn't have a cat in the first place if you can't give it access to the outdoors. I know that's becoming increasingly controversial on here though!

Of course he could also be ill. It's difficult to tell. I hope you are OK. An animal attack is terrifying.

Yep, mine wouldn't cope either, which is why I'd never have a cat somewhere where I couldn't let them out to roam. All mine have free access to the outdoors during the day.

This sounds terrifying. Good idea to get him neutered, but honestly, you shouldn't feel guilty if PTS ends up being the best option for you all.

I always think of it this way - when the cat is anaesthetised for the neutering, he has no understanding of whether he's going to wake up, so from the pet's point of view, PTS is no different. Harder for you though, obviously.

You're assuming there is a balcony. And a netted balcony isn't exactly "free to roam". If there is a balcony it should certainly be netted and windows made safe, of course.

Good god!!!

Do you mind if I ask why you asked this? My female cat has been more aggressive/hunt-y with me since I’ve been pregnant. She’s neutered and was never like that before! Is this a known cause for out-of-character behaviour?

I'm not assuming anything - if you read the whole post, you'd know that I actually said "Obviously they're not possible for everyone".

Personally I find it unkind and borderline cruel to keep a natural hunter and roamer locked up inside a house for life, but I know many on here disagree with that.