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Why has my cat has been acting weird towards my boyfriend all of a sudden???

We live together and adopted a beautiful kitten about a year and a half ago when she was 16 weeks. She has a huge personality with a lot of sass, but was always very sweet and very personable towards the both of us. A few months ago she started hissing occasionally at my boyfriend, which was weird because the only time she would ever hiss before is at other cats, or when we would bring her outside on a leash (we live on a main street). Now its to the point where she's attacking him multiple times a day. She'll be fine sometimes and then out of nowhere she'll freak out while being petted. She's not a lap cat, but always enjoyed her belly rubs. He loves cats so much and treats her very well, so why is she acting SO different towards him now? I'm trying to find some kind of solution because it's causing huge heartbreak! HELP!


Asked by Member 1040893 on Jul 14th 2011 in Aggression
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Moeja

I may be a cat but I'm no cat expert, so don't take my word for it...I only speak through experience!

This cat sounds almost like me! I used to love playing with Mummy's boyfriend when I was a kitten, but then I started going into heat. I've yet to find a suitor as handsome as I am beautiful, so Mummy and her boyfriend helped calm me down my giving me rubs all over my back (they still do!). But I HATE it when they rub me the wrong way and that's when I give them a little bite or a hiss. There are some places on my back that just shouldn't be touched by nobody.

Sometimes I'd attack Mummy's boyfriend out of the blue and they wouldn't know what was going on. They soon realised that sometimes it's because there's a piece of thread hanging from his jumper and I just HAVE to kill that piece of thread!

Mummy will always be my Mummy, but her boyfriend will never be my Daddy...he'll always just be somebody who plays with me. So maybe this is what the cat's doing.


Moeja answered on 7/15/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Tinkerbell & Jellybean

some cats may be jealous and others may just be rubbed the wrong way take her to the vet and see if there are any painfull areas that are making her lash out at your boyfriend pinpoint exactly what your boyfriend is doing at the time your cat lashes out if there are no painful areas or your boyfriend isnt doing anything you may have to ask your vet if you can get your cat a brain scan to see if there are any inflamations or spots in the brain that could be the cause of this reaction im not saying you should be worried but keep in mind something like this just doesnt happen without a reason


Tinkerbell & Jellybean answered on 7/15/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Merlin

I agree that you should have her checked by a vet to make sure there are no underlying medical problems. Is she spayed? Sometimes, an unspayed female can become a very unpredictable cat. It's what I call the typical female cat syndrome :). I rescue cats and 8 are females, 3 of which are still waiting to be spayed. Some are fine with some people and just absolutely can't stand others for whatever reason. The other females who are spayed can even be unpredictable but not as often. Other than consulting with your vet, my suggestion would be to have your boyfriend play with toys with her (fishing pole type toys are best) and offer her treats often. Good luck


Merlin answered on 7/18/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Ducky

A kitty that loves belly rubs as a kitten does not always grow into a cat that adores them as well. Your boyfriend could simply not be paying attention to what kitty is telling him. Pay attention to her body language, especially the tail (if he tail is whipping side to side more and more while being petted, she's had enough).

Sometimes cats can become over stimulated while being petted (as much as they may enjoy it at the same time) and if your boyfriend isn't noticing that she's had enough she'll find other ways of letting him know whether that's hissing, biting or the infamous all four paws grabbing and bunny kicking the hand.

If you think it isn't that, then it may be wise to follow the previous advice here and consult with a veterinarian.


Ducky answered on 7/18/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Sassy

Not having seen the interaction in person, I can't say for sure, but some cats simply like to play rough. It may be that she's just playing with him, and doesn't understand that he sees it as actually attacking him. Oliver (who's about the same age as your cat)will bunny-kick our human if he rubs Oliver's belly after he offers it, and will sometimes (in particular places, when the human is sitting at the dining room table and Oliver is on the back of the loveseat next to him) will play rough if he's petted (biting and grabbing his hand). Don't pull your hand away in situations like that; the damage is less if you don't pull the hand away. Also, the person who mentioned cats getting "overstimulated" has a point; I have that response sometimes. If you think that might be the case, leave your hand there but inactive; the cat will leave if it's had enough.


Sassy answered on 7/19/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


Flea

She needs to be spayed. Her hormones are running wild and she is looking for her tom cat. You will notice a wonderful difference in her after she is spayed, she won't be freaking out with raging hormones. Please do so as soon as possible.


Flea answered on 7/20/11. Helpful? Yes/Helpful: No 0 Report this answer


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