I’m desperate for help with my violently aggressive cat and I don’t know what to do anymore
I’m posting because I genuinely don’t know where else to turn, and I’m hoping someone here has dealt with something similar.
I’ve had my cat since she was a baby. She was bottle-fed and I’ve loved her for years. She has always had some behavioral issues and has had episodes of aggression before, but things have gotten really bad recently.
I got a second cat a while ago, and surprisingly, she adjusted pretty well to having another cat around. She was able to coexist with him and things were generally okay.
Recently, I moved in with my partner, who also has cats, and she has not transitioned well at all. I completely understand that moving, a new environment, new people, and multiple unfamiliar cats is an enormous change for her. I’ve tried to give her space and time, but her aggression has gone far beyond what I feel equipped to handle.
She is becoming violently aggressive, and I am genuinely scared of her. She has attacked me, and I’m at the point where I’m afraid of what might happen during an episode. She is currently on gabapentin, but she is still extremely aggressive even with it.
I want to be very clear that I am not looking for people to tell me to “just get rid of her.” She is my baby. I have had her since she was tiny, and I love her immensely. But I am also scared, overwhelmed, and honestly terrified that if this continues, I’m going to start resenting her. I don't want that to happen.
I feel like I’m running out of options and I don’t know what the right thing to do is for her or for me.
Has anyone dealt with a cat who became violently aggressive after moving or being introduced to other cats, especially when there was already a history of aggression? What actually helped?
I’m open to hearing anything. I just need help figuring out what my next step should be.
I love this cat and I want to help her. I just also need to be safe in my own home.