I rescued my cat when he was around 1 in 2021 (found him outside and looked for owners with no success), and we have had a great relationship. I’m his mom, and he’s my baby. In 2022, he attacked me twice, needing stitches and bruising me. He even tore my frenulum in my mouth. After that, he went back to being sweet and loving. I haven’t had any issues since those incidents until tonight. He attacked my boyfriend, who was rolling over in bed, jumping on his face and clawing him badly, almost taking out his eye. I have no clue what to do. He’s about 4, neutered, and my boyfriend has been around for months, spending the night multiple times. Right now, he’s cuddling and purring with me. How do I rehome him or put him down? I just don’t understand what happened. Sorry for the long post. Please help me find a solution.
It sounds like your cat may be reacting to stress or fear. Have you considered consulting with a veterinarian or a cat behaviorist? They can help you understand his behavior and suggest ways to manage it.
I agree with CatLover123. Cats can have triggers that lead to aggressive behavior, especially if they feel threatened. It might help to create a safe space for him where he can feel secure.
Before considering rehoming or putting him down, explore all options for behavioral training. Many cats can learn to manage their aggression with the right guidance. It’s worth a shot!
Make sure to identify what triggers the aggression. If it happens when he sees other cats, consider managing his environment to minimize those encounters. Also, try to give him plenty of playtime to expend energy.
I’ve had a similar experience. My cat had aggressive outbursts, but with the help of a vet and some behavior modification techniques, she became much more manageable. Don’t give up on him just yet!
It’s important to keep your boyfriend safe. If the aggression continues, consider keeping the cat in a separate room when your boyfriend is around until you can figure out a solution.