u/Yogurtfrixge

My cat keeps attacking my husband when he gets scared :( I don’t know how to make the cat less fearful. Is it something we can work at home or should we consult look into behavior treatment?

Backstory: we adopted Howie at the beginning of this year. He is around 2 years old and was born with a front arm deformity. We don’t know his past but he was given up. He’s been a dream in every other aspect. One night we were playing with the cats and my husband was sitting on the floor. My husband scooted forward to reach a toy. This scared Howie. Howie became a big puff ball and violent. He struck my husband several times leaving big gashes and drawing a lot of blood. I was able to shove me, my husband, and other cat into the office to separate Howie. He eventually calmed down but showed disdain for a few days after. We have had less severe episodes when sounds scare Howie. Fast forward to today. The cats were playing and running around. Howie jumped on the couch and knocked off my book and other things from the arm of the couch. My husband was sitting on the same couch. The noise startled Howie. My husband stood up to separate the cats. Howie reacted and turned on my husband. He drew some more blood but less than the first time. Again I was able to separate everyone and get Howie to calm down. He has never been violent towards me (a woman).

Does anyone have advice on how to minimize this occurrence?? Could he be fearful of men?