ArcaMax

Dear Cathy,

We’ve been having issues with our cat for years. She is aggressive with people. No one can pet her or go near her without her either swiping at them and scratching them or hissing at them. We have to lock her up when people come to our house.

We have put on a pheromone collar on her for a very long time. We change it every month. It has helped her where people can go by her and she doesn’t swipe at them. We have tried to play with her but she seems to be afraid of the wand toys. She doesn’t play with any toys except a toy pretzel which seems to calm her. The issue is when we go on vacation, we cannot bring her anywhere since she will scratch them and bite. We have not brought her to a vet in a year.

My son comes in a few times when we are gone. He tried to give her the treats she likes and she scratched him. He can’t pet her at all. He has to shield himself with a gate, so she doesn’t attack him. We think she is mad that we are away and takes it out on him. Is there anything we can do more to keep her calm?

— Denise, Nesconset, New York

Dear Denise,

I’m glad to hear the pheromone collar has made a small difference. That tells me your cat can respond to calming aids, which is encouraging. But from what you describe, her aggression sounds more deeply rooted than a collar alone can manage.

First, I strongly recommend a veterinary exam. Sometimes aggression is linked to undiagnosed pain or illness, like arthritis, dental disease, thyroid imbalance, or even something as subtle as chronic discomfort. Cats don’t show pain the way dogs do, so lashing out can be their way of saying something is wrong. A vet can rule out medical causes and suggest medications that can help with anxiety and aggression in cats. These can be life-changing when used appropriately.

Second, think about your cat’s environment. Many aggressive cats are also anxious cats. They need safe spaces, consistent routines, and predictable interactions. Try giving her high perches, hiding places, and even a “cat-only” room where she feels secure.

Third, avoid forcing contact. Let her decide when she wants attention, and let her come to you. You would be surprised how giving a cat some space to just “be,” can relax them and make them feel more secure.

Fourth, consider how she plays. Wand toys can overstimulate some cats, so try gentler options like rolling balls, food puzzles, or toys she can bat around on her own. Since she likes her toy pretzel, keep that as her “comfort object” and see if she’ll accept others with similar textures or shapes.

Aggression also tends to spike when a cat’s routine or territory changes, like when you’re away. For vacations, hire a professional cat sitter experienced with challenging cats, and ask your vet about anti-anxiety medication that can be given before and during your absence. Even adding pheromone diffusers around the house may help.

I once had a cat with severe aggression. Turns out, she had an unusual reproductive disorder: two uteruses and four ovaries! She was in hormone overdrive. Even after she was sterilized, she needed medication for the remainder of her life to stay balanced.

That experience taught me that aggression in cats almost always has an underlying reason. It isn’t “bad behavior” – it’s your cat’s way of saying she needs help. With patience, adjustments at home, and possible medical support, many cats like yours can find more peace – and so can their families. Don’t lose hope.

Dear Cathy,

In a recent article Michelle was at her wits end with one of her cats urinating all around the house. My sister had a cat who would urinate on the bed. Someone suggested putting a plastic shower curtain on the bed, covering the entire top. It worked. Evidently cats do not like the feel or the noise it makes when walking on it. Hopefully, this will help Michelle.

— Liz, Newington, Connecticut

Dear Liz,

This is a great idea. It’s similar to the way aluminum foil keeps cats off counters. Cats are very particular about texture, and I can see them avoiding the slick feel and crinkly sound of a shower curtain. It’s important to rule out any health problems first if a cat is urinating on the bed, but if it turns out to be behavioral, this shower curtain idea is definitely worth trying.

_____

_____

========

(Cathy M. Rosenthal is a longtime animal advocate, author, columnist and pet expert who has more than 25 years in the animal welfare field. Send your pet questions, stories and tips to cathy@petpundit.com. Please include your name, city, and state. You can follow her @cathymrosenthal.)

©2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c) 2025 DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.