It sounds like displaced aggression on the part of your cat, which actually isn't at all uncommon. I suspect that something is stressing your cat. It could be a new cat in the neighborhood that is leaving scent marks in your yard or that your cat is spying from your windows, or it could be some change in your household or your cat's daily schedule that's throwing her off. It might even be a physical ailment that is manifesting itself in this aggressive behavior.

The first thing I'd suggest is taking your cat in for a vet exam to rule out illness. If your cat checks out healthy, you might want to consider buying some Comfort Zone or Feliway to see if it will work to calm your cat's nerves. It might also help to pick up some Rescue Remedy at a health food store to spike her water.

If those options don't help resolve the problem, you might try some behavior modification in the way of a squirt gun carried by your daughter, used to back the cat off when she goes on the attack. I hesitate to even suggest that option, though, since you really don't want to teach your daughter to use any sort of weapon, no matter how harmless, against another living animal.

If nothing else works, you could discuss the possibility of trying anti-anxiety meds on your cat.

In the meantime, you should keep your cat's claws clipped so she can't do any real damage to your daughter ... or you could buy some of those glue-on claw caps.

I hope you can identify the source of your cat's aggressive behavior and resolve it soon.

Laurie

we are getting the glue on nails (which my daughter is THRILLED about, like kitty nail salon) and she got to pick out the color. We have had contractors that have been working on the apartment but it didn't really overlap with her "bad" behavior. I will have to think that one out though. Maybe they came inside and scared her.

I actually wouldn't be so stressed but I worry about her actually being sick. I can't imagine life without her. Here's the real kicker: *I* wanted to get a kitten for dd for Christmas and *she* (the 5 year old) said that she didn't want to. She thought it would make our cat too sad and scared because she is scared of everything new.

Also, dd won't carry around a water spray bottle or aluminum foil because she doesn't like to scare the cat. I am also not certain that is the solution (cat may get more scared and lash out at her more). I am looking up the other things you mentioned.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response!

ok, just read up on those two products. They sound great. She just had a check up with blood work (they suspected a thyroid problem but all is well) and I will call the dr. Either way, I want to get one of those. It sounds like kitty prozac (which she needs!). How come I have never seen this?

And she is right now very sweetly cuddling with me.

Just a thought -- but it sounds like your cat is "hunting" your daughter. Its an instinct and I don't think it ever goes away. I have a 17-1/2 year old kitty who has spent her whole life indoors, and she still occasionally hunts her toys (she has a big stuffed fish she always catches and "kills"). Maybe the thing is your kitty needs more toys to hunt instead of her caretaker. Has your daughter tried playing with her using one of those fishing pole type toys??? Something kitty can beat the heck out of -- but be well away from your DD?
Maybe something like this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13763&N=2002+113121

Or a laser pointer toy??

Why would she hunt dd? She really doesn't like her. Usually tolerates her but doesn't like her. She mostly hisses and growls at her.

It sounds like you have an exceptionally insightful and compassionate daughter. You must be very proud of her! I'm proud of her, and I've never even met her!

I think sammycat made a great suggestion. Even if your cat isn't terribly playful at her age, a wand toy may distract her enough to dissipate her intention to attack your daughter. It sure can't hurt to try. Just have your daughter carry a wand toy with her in the house so that she can use it to attract your cat's attention when necessary. Maybe your cat will be satisfied taking her aggression out on the toy instead of your daughter.

The contractors may have been the trigger that stressed your cat ... unless, of course, her aggression started before the contractors ever showed up. If the aggression started after the contractors had completed the job, you could still be dealing with a delayed stress response.

In any event, hopefully something we've suggested will help put your kitty girl back on the right track.

Give both of your girls a hug from me.

Laurie

I had a persian himilayan cross who was just awful with children. She wasn't so bad until we had to give her away when we moved to a place that didn't take pets. When we had her however, she had other behaviour problems. She peed on anything plastic. Garbage bags, grocery bags etc. She was very anti-social and almost seemed depressed more often than not. We got her and another kitten from a very reputable breeder, my friend also got a kitten from the same littler, and only the one had any problems. When we gave her away, the lady eventually ended up having her put down.

I'm not sure if she discussed with the vet what the problem was, or exhausted all of her options, but apparently the cat got very very possesive and very hostile. She 'stalked' her grandchildren like yours is doing to your daughter. She would hide out in corners of rooms, under tables/couches and anytime the children walked by, she would lunge and attach her self to them and scratch them like crazy. She did some pretty nasty damage. She hated other cats. She hated all animals and most people, save for me and the lady who took her.

Did you have just your cat before you daughter arrived? No other animals or children around? Perhaps your cat is jealous because your daughter took away her attention in her eyes?? Did you get her as a kitten, or had she had previous owners with children??

My grandmother had a cat who she was given by someone else when it was about a year old. The other ladies children just tormented the cat. My grandmas cat never liked children her whole life. She'd hide anytime us kids came over, but was very loving and receptive of adults. She lived to be around 15 I think, and she never got over her fear of children. She'd hide and hiss and growl, and if we tried to go find her, she'd scratch us if we did find her.

I hope the meds work, for you. Some cats I guess are just agressive in nature, and unfortunately yours seems to be moreso towards children. Hopefully you find a way to remedy it!

Thanks everyone! No contractors, anything and this morning she growled at me when I patted her (dd is at school). No idea. The vet told me (this morning) to try the other products, and don't let dd give treats like tuna or catnip. DD does this because we thought it would make the cat more friendly towards her. The vet thinks that the cat is trying to get more and does it by showing she is boss.

Laurie, dd has always been that way toward the cat. LOVES her and I hate that it isn't reciprocated but dd says she understands! About a week ago, dd sat close to the cat and the cat pinned her ears back. I said, "Stay away, she is getting cranky". DD moved and sat very still and the cat laid her head back down and dd beamed like it was the greatest thing!

It is a great lesson in how we have to be responsible for animals and we can't always expect them to offer us much in return. She really can be a nice and fun cat. Just doesn't want to be one right now.

I love your daughter. What a marvelous job you've done of instilling a humane ethic in her. The world needs more like you and your daughter.

It sure sounds to me like something is stressing your cat. The stressor doesn't have to be present at the time of the aggressive display. Cat's have sharp memories, and they can respond aggressively to a stressor even after the stressor is long gone.

Have you checked with your neighbors to see if anyone has acquired a new animal lately? Your girl may be picking up unfamiliar animal scents that are causing this problem.

Laurie

I so agree about the good memories, etc, but what is getting on her nerves? She is also usually very specific. When the cat was 5 or so, dd was 4months, we had a friend with a 4 year old visit. When the same kid came back year later, the cat hissed and spat at her immediately. The kid had teased her and our cat remembered it well. However, I have never seen her just get mean to everyone. She usually is extra nice to the people that she likes. I will try the products (I had to order them) and then post back. Thanks all!