A serious problem…..with SERIOUS options

Hi all. I’m posting here because I am literally at wits end. Many of you have seen photos of George the cat. He’s about 3 years old now and although he’s always been friendly and cuddly with us……..he can be quite aggressive with strangers…tradesmen etc. Never with a guest.

Fairly recently, he has become spontaneously VERY aggressive with me and particularly my wife. Yesterday, he had been on both our laps at different times all lovey and purring. Then yesterday afternoon my wife was sitting next to me on the sofa when he jumped up on the sofa arm and started yowling and hissing at my wife! He was literally at face level and we thought he was going to attack. She already has scars and bruises from previous attacks, he is capable of doing permanent damage.

I have tried to think of every possible reason for this sudden aggression, taken him to the vets in case it was a medical issue. I bought Feliway to try to calm him down. The vet suggested brain lesions and wanted to get both MRI and x-rays…..at the cost of thousands and travel to specialists. It’s like flipping a switch in his brain and he isn’t the sweet cuddly kitty…..or he doesn’t recognize family.

SSPCA and the vet has suggested euthanasia. We can’t give him to anyone who he might then attack. If anyone has ANY suggestions, or has had success with an aggressive cat and wants to save George’s life……

My wife is now terrified of him, he can’t stay.


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Hi all. I’m posting here because I am literally at wits end. Many of you have seen photos of George the cat. He’s about 3 years old now and although he’s always been friendly and cuddly with us……..he can be quite aggressive with strangers…tradesmen etc. Never with a guest.

Fairly recently, he has become spontaneously VERY aggressive with me and particularly my wife. Yesterday, he had been on both our laps at different times all lovey and purring. Then yesterday afternoon my wife was sitting next to me on the sofa when he jumped up on the sofa arm and started yowling and hissing at my wife! He was literally at face level and we thought he was going to attack. She already has scars and bruises from previous attacks, he is capable of doing permanent damage.

I have tried to think of every possible reason for this sudden aggression, taken him to the vets in case it was a medical issue. I bought Feliway to try to calm him down. The vet suggested brain lesions and wanted to get both MRI and x-rays…..at the cost of thousands and travel to specialists. It’s like flipping a switch in his brain and he isn’t the sweet cuddly kitty…..or he doesn’t recognize family.

SSPCA and the vet has suggested euthanasia. We can’t give him to anyone who he might then attack. If anyone has ANY suggestions, or has had success with an aggressive cat and wants to save George’s life……

My wife is now terrified of him, he can’t stay.


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Oh, no! I am so, so sorry to hear that. 

I know you're an experienced cat person and you'll have done your own googling but I just had a look and thought this article was quite insightful.

https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-problems-tips-cats-aggressive-aggression

I'm in touch with a couple of small, independent shelters, I can pass on their details just in case they may be open to helping?

Thank you larrabee, I have googled everything and have even read that page. Sadly here in Fort William we have 2 vets…..one that isn’t good and the other who suggested just putting an end to George. If there is anyone who will keep him alive and try to figure it out……. the vet did suggest anti anxiety medication, but in pill form……and who exactly is going to try to give him pills??

Oh man, so sorry to hear that.  Poor George.

Thank you larrabee, I have googled everything and have even read that page. Sadly here in Fort William we have 2 vets…..one that isn’t good and the other who suggested just putting an end to George. If there is anyone who will keep him alive and try to figure it out……. the vet did suggest anti anxiety medication, but in pill form……and who exactly is going to try to give him pills??

If hiding it in regular food doesn't work, there are specialised products for the job.

https://www.petprescription.co.uk/easy-pill-putty-for-cats?gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokoxR8j6Lx3qezIk7hFBx-8F3P0MHVrZWEzN4qa6jK-K1MVZzR1DxihoC7_IQAvD_BwE

https://www.viovet.co.uk/ROYAL-CANIN-Pill-Assist/c47276/?quick_find=307360&utm_source=sag&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces_UK&gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokq7PoWbZ_1hPPnElyLGCZihFpzMd9No8iRl76pDOKS9tWHvrAkbzehoCJaMQAvD_BwE

More on Amazon.

I'll message you the details of the shelters.

I was just thinking about George the other day Rick. I'm so sad to hear this.

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Those pill pockets are AMAZING. 

I know it's a long shot, but what do you feed him? Have there been any changes?

I know it's a long shot, but what do you feed him? Have there been any changes?

I feel like us cat behaviour detectives need more information and a very detailed history so we can solve this for you.

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I know it's a long shot, but what do you feed him? Have there been any changes?

We feed him IAMS. The same food he has been eating for ages.

Ok cat detectives…

George is 3 years old. We got him as a kitten from the SSPCA. He is neutered, has never been overly friendly with strangers but always has been with us. He had gotten quite cuddly in the last few years. A few months ago, he attacked my wife viciously while she was just sitting on the sofa. It wasn’t more than a few days later that I was sitting on the sofa watching something on tv…..he attacked me suddenly and bit my upper arm badly enough to leave scars. He has since attacked my wife’s ankle twice, the second time she had major cuts and bites and heavy bruising.
In between attacks, he has rubbed on our legs, climbed up on our laps all purry and lovey. We have seriously wracked our brains trying to find a common denominator or trigger to no avail. I ordered FELIWAY which is a pheromone diffuser that is supposed to help calm cat anxiety. For a few weeks it seems like it was helping….then a few days ago he approached the sofa where we were sitting, hopped up on the arm of the sofa like he wanted my wife’s lap…..and immediately his pupils dilated and he started yowling and hissing like he was going to attack her….at face height! I told her not to move at all, and we both kept talking to him soft and sweet trying to calm him before he did real damage. It took 15 minutes before he dialed it back a little and slowly jumped down and walked away.

His behavior is like something flips a switch and it isn’t George anymore…..or he doesn’t recognize us and sees us as a threat. He has attacked tradesmen who came in when we were not home either for inspection or repairs. Any time we have had someone in our house while we are there, he isn’t thrilled but has never been aggressive at all. We have made no changes to anything, have had no other animals, our routine is exactly the same. Since the near attack, he has been acting normally and friendly again.

We feed him IAMS. The same food he has been eating for ages.

Ok cat detectives…

George is 3 years old. We got him as a kitten from the SSPCA. He is neutered, has never been overly friendly with strangers but always has been with us. He had gotten quite cuddly in the last few years. A few months ago, he attacked my wife viciously while she was just sitting on the sofa. It wasn’t more than a few days later that I was sitting on the sofa watching something on tv…..he attacked me suddenly and bit my upper arm badly enough to leave scars. He has since attacked my wife’s ankle twice, the second time she had major cuts and bites and heavy bruising.
In between attacks, he has rubbed on our legs, climbed up on our laps all purry and lovey. We have seriously wracked our brains trying to find a common denominator or trigger to no avail. I ordered FELIWAY which is a pheromone diffuser that is supposed to help calm cat anxiety. For a few weeks it seems like it was helping….then a few days ago he approached the sofa where we were sitting, hopped up on the arm of the sofa like he wanted my wife’s lap…..and immediately his pupils dilated and he started yowling and hissing like he was going to attack her….at face height! I told her not to move at all, and we both kept talking to him soft and sweet trying to calm him before he did real damage. It took 15 minutes before he dialed it back a little and slowly jumped down and walked away.

His behavior is like something flips a switch and it isn’t George anymore…..or he doesn’t recognize us and sees us as a threat. He has attacked tradesmen who came in when we were not home either for inspection or repairs. Any time we have had someone in our house while we are there, he isn’t thrilled but has never been aggressive at all. We have made no changes to anything, have had no other animals, our routine is exactly the same. Since the near attack, he has been acting normally and friendly again.

Has the vet checked his vision?

On his first attack, do you remember anything about his behaviour or what he was doing right before?

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Is he reacting to something outside?  Was he shut in the room with you or did he have the opportunity to leave? Does he have access to high spaces?
Just thinking if that were the case, perhaps leaving the door of the room open so he can retreat if he feels stressed might help.

He had just walked into the room before the attack. He has access to the lounge, the hallway and the kitchen and dining room. He is never locked into a small area. Has several windows with wide sills to lay on and see outside. He has loads of toys and we play with him often. The vet has not checked his vision yet, although he appears to have no issues with seeing bugs, birds, spiders…..

We have contacted the other vet here in town and he has an appointment Thursday morning……hopefully trimming out a few mats and blood work as well.

He had just walked into the room before the attack. He has access to the lounge, the hallway and the kitchen and dining room. He is never locked into a small area. Has several windows with wide sills to lay on and see outside. He has loads of toys and we play with him often. The vet has not checked his vision yet, although he appears to have no issues with seeing bugs, birds, spiders…..

We have contacted the other vet here in town and he has an appointment Thursday morning……hopefully trimming out a few mats and blood work as well.

I was thinking perhaps he'd seen a cat outside then freaked out because he couldn't get to him and attacked you guys instead.  I really hope the vet can help. Maybe get toenails done while they're at it.