Cat with a temper

Question
Maggie is 4 1/2 I have had her from the age of 2 weeks. Hand fed and raised by me.  It has happen 2 times now.  She get scared for some reason and freaks out.  She hisses, growls, and almost attacks.  You can't get near her and she won't come near anyone.  The first time was about 6 months ago and she did after 30 hours start to come around to her old self.  It happened again last night she got scared and now she is hissing, growling and acts as if she is going to attack.  I am scared to get to close because I really think she will attack me.  Is this a disorder that can't be fixed.  She is a indoor cat and get along with our dog and has always been very friendly with new people.  What can I do to help her.  I can't lives with a cat I am scared of.

Answer
Janet,

For some reason that behavior tends to happen occasionally with cats that are hand-raised. Maybe because the kitten didn't get a chance to learn "scared management" from the mother cat when she was young.

When she acts like that, IGNORE HER and leave her alone, or try to get her into a room where you can close the door and leave her for about 4 hours until she calms down.

Can you track down what it is that is setting her off? If you can, remedy the it.

Is she spayed? Spaying cures a lot of behavior problems. Pain also causes aggressive behavior.

Have you tried Bach's Rescue Remedy? People swear by it for aggressive behavior, and other emotional and physical behaviors. You can get it at a health food store (people use it too) or on-line. I will give you some detailed information about it:

Bach Flower Essences for Pets: Bach's Flower Essences were developed for humans, but they work on animals as well. Flower essences work on both physical and emotional issues to help heal and calm. They are non-toxic and have NO side effects, and are safe for pets and animals of all sizes.  

BACH'S RESCUE REMEDY is the most commonly used. Rescue Remedy can be used on wild or tame animals for any acute trauma, fear, or stress situations. It will not change the inherent temperament of an animal, but will help bring them into balance.

The remedy can be given by mouth, which is the most effective method, but a few drops of the Rescue Remedy on the gums, or even in the ear, of the very stressed and/or aggressive animal will calm them down and make them easier to handle. It can also be sprayed on the skin or ears with a spray bottle and it will still have a beneficial effect.

For cats, only a few drops (2-4) are necessary. They need not be swallowed, but MUST contact the mucous membranes (gums, tongue, lips). You can also add a dropper full to the water dish, or a few drops on wet food (there is no effect of dilution). You can add a dropper full to a spray bottle filled with spring water, and use it to spray a room, carrier, car, around litter boxes or plants, or other problem areas. You can also put a few drops in your hand and pat the animal on the head and around the ears with it--the head is very sensitive to energy and will absorb the flower essences in this way.

There is no improper or wrong method of applying the Bach Remedies. It is not necessary to be precise in counting the number of drops in any of the dilution methods. The Rescue Remedy is non-toxic and therefore has no side effects.

For serious or acute conditions the remedy can be given as often as needed, even every few minutes. For most behavioral problems 3 to 4 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks is sufficient, though some may animals may need drops or a dropper full added to their drinking water long-term.

More information about Bach's can be found on these websites:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

http://www.nelsonbach.com/BFE_for_pets.html

http://www.petsynergy.com/flower.html

http://www.oes.org/page1/Bach-Rescue-Remedy.html

Tabbi