Need help with aggressive cat behavior!
Species: cat, Breed: Domestic Short Hair, Age: 8yr, Sex: Spayed Female, Weight: 11lbs, History: luxating patella, early onset arthritis (swollen hips and elbows), gingivitis, asthma Clinical Signs: aggression - like she's feral, Duration: she has episodes but first started in Nov 2025, Location: Ontario, Canada
My cat gets completely out of hand sometimes and im unsure of the trigger. I have initially thought this behavior is caused by pain but she also gets out of hand when I need maintenance done in my apt and the repairman comes in. She will yowl, hiss, growl, lunge, stalk and attack me. Today I had maintenance in for all of 10 minutes. I had put the cat in the bedroom and let her out after they left - she never even saw them, only heard them. When i let her out she was on edge (on the verge of this outrageous behaviour) but was doing well. I have learned the little hints of her behaviour so i know what a freak out is coming. I went in to change my bedsheets and she flipped about halfway through. She jumped up onto the bed at me from the opposite side and went full feral mode. She gets metacam and gabapentin daily for the pain management and is usually pretty good. The last time things escalated this bad tho, she was diagnosed with the pain (Nov 2025). She also has gingivitis and shows signs of dental discomfort. She has an appointment tomorrow morning for a dental exam.
Is this still pain related behavior? Is this something else? It seems that 'unknown people' entering my unit sets her off, but even when they have left and its just her and I, I get the brunt of it. Does anyone have any advice!? Im so lost for ideas and the only other option I am seeing is saying goodbye and she is only 8 and perfectly healthy otherwise. We had tried fluoxetine before but she experienced urine retention. She is as sweet as pie otherwise. Its insane to see this sort of behavior from her. I have a video and will try to figure out how to post
*edited for spelling