Mean Cat-Need Help

Question
My cat and I have been together for 7 years. I got her when she was very small, few weeks or so. She was never friedly to people, bit me many times, etc. But i never wanted to let her go. She was my pal! Everybody always said, you got a such a mean cat!  But hey, I always said,she only likes some people. It was true. She was choosy...she only liked some people, others...she hissed and hid away right when they got to viist me. Now i live in a household with 2 very lame dogs. These dogs don't even come near her... she never wants to leave the room in which she stays, she hisses, and is really agressive, bites, scraches, it is just really really mean. I don't know what to do next.  she was always difficult, but now, now it is really difficult to live with a mean cat. i don't know what to do ! should i give her up? nobody will take her!!! she is just mean. help me. what should i do to make her happy and comfortable?  thank you for any feedback

Answer
Alex,

More than likely she is stressed out because of the dogs. They change her routine, invade her territory, and they have new smells. Cats are creatures of habit and they don't like changes.

You can try getting a blanket the dogs sleep on and put it in her room so she can get familiar with the dog's smell.

You can ignore her and wait until she comes to you for attention. Let her set her own pace on adjusting. Don't try to pet her or hold her until she wants to. I would go in 'her' room often and just sit and calmly talk to her. Note: Never hit her for being mean. That will definitely make her meaner!
Giving her lots of kitty treats helps (food is a great bribe).

If all else fails take her to the vet for some medication. They have a 'kitty Prozac' or similar medication that will calm her down. The vet can do a short or long term treatment program. Call the vet and talk to him about it.

I hope this helps.