Sudden aggression

[PetiteRaleuse]

We moved house a couple of months ago and my previously indoor cats have started to go outside. Ever since we started letting them out my female has become very aggressive towards the dog, the other cat and my DD1 (19mo).

She is mainly ok with adults that she knows, and doesn't seem bothered by the new baby. She does hiss when strangers come to the door (more effective at warning us of visitors than our golden retriever) and this is also new behaviour.

At first I thought she might be in pain, but she doesn't seem to be. It's a nuisance as she really makes a lot of noise and DD1 doesn't understand why she is suddenly being so nasty. I can't see any evidence of injury or having been in a fight. She used to be really sweet with everyone, though capable of standing up for herself if need be.

Any ideas?

[EdsRedeemingQualities]

I also thought, perhaps she is in pain.

I wonder if you are in a position to take her to the vet to be checked out? Sometimes cats can have an injury you can't see - our cat when I was little got hit by a car, struggled home, no external signs of being hurt but all her insides were messed up and displaced.

She recovered after surgery and lived to be 17 but still - there could be something going on in there.

[cozietoesie]

From being an indoor cat to going outside is a huge change for her and she may be feeling unsettled and anxious.

Just a few things. How old is she and is she neutered?

Do you have a cat flap? (And if so, might other cats outside be able to get in which you might not be aware of - could make her feel anxious in the house, if so.)

Does she still have a litter tray inside to use if needs be?

[PetiteRaleuse]

I just had a c section last week but yes, I will take her in this week. When we handle her she shows no sign of distress. Afaik she hasn't left the garden yet, she comes in at night and only goes out for a couple of hours at a time. It started before my section, literally within days of going out.

She is neutered, and is 4 and a half. She had a short period as an outdoor cat a couple of years ago but then we had new neighbours whose dog was a cat killer. She settled in well to being an indoor cat, but we have let her out now as it is safe for her.

[PetiteRaleuse]

No, we don't have a cat flap. There were occasionally other cats in our garden but since we moved here with the dog they seem to steer clear.

[cozietoesie]

She might just be one of those cats who prefer to stay inside in the warmth and safety. I'd be tempted to keep her inside for a few days (with tray etc) and see if that makes a difference to her behaviour.

[cozietoesie]

PS - I'd still be taking her to the vet, I think, to ensure there's no physical reason for the behaviour such as pain. 'twill do no harm.

[HappyBloodBlackPumpkinEater]

If you have just had a C section, maybe she feels she is getting less attention, less food and less security. Perhaps the disruption has left her feeling unprotected. (Ispecially of going out, as male cats will be out there wanting to be, well, catting!

Feed your ds1 first, in front of her e.g. some chicken or fish, then let her have something to eat afterwards. Top dogs and cats eat first, so feed pets after humans, and in pecking order, smaller ones after bigger ones. (It seems to sort our cats out when they fight).

[PetiteRaleuse]

Thanks for your answers. I will take her in this week and keep her in until then (or try to)

[PetiteRaleuse]

We do the pecking order thing with the dog (right at bottom) - the cats have food available all the time. They have litter too, but use it less and less now.

[PetiteRaleuse]

I'm bumping this. We still have the same problem. She has been checked out and there is nothing wrong with her. She has always been a puker, and has been checked out numerous times for that. Constant puke to clean up every single morning when she stays in (and generally somewhere I really don't want to find it, like on toys, in the pram, on clothes, on the changing mat) plus this new nastiness and I am right at the end of my tether. I can't keep her out all the time - she was an indoor cat for almost five years after all - and she can be such an affectionate little thing when she's not hissing and scratching. I don't know what to do.

We're going through a pukey stage at the moment (she'll go a few weeks without puking and then will puke everywhere she can for every day for several days) and this morning have put two tea towels, a pair of jeans and one of my baby's blankets in the wash as coved in puke. We try and keep them out of the bedrooms but the rest of the house is open plan. Yesterday it was the rug that I was scrubbing.

And she's been to the vet so many times now. A least seven or eight times in her life for puking, and twice since the posts up thread. I don't understand.

[thecatneuterer]

As you don't have a cat flap I wonder if she feels anxious that she can't get back in when she wants to, particularly if something happens to scare her when she's outside (it doesn't have to be much - some of mine get scared by falling leaves). It's always a good idea to have a cat flap anyway, so that would be my first recommendation.

Secondly, as it sounds as though she is stressed, I'm guessing that your vet has mentioned getting a Feliway diffuser?