Cat redirected territorial aggression

Question
My 9 year old neutered male indoor only house cat (that I raised from a baby) attacked me in a redirected aggression territorial incident.  I was holding a friends cat in our home (unneutered male).  My cat came upstairs, sniffed the stranger and attacked me in a nasty episode, climbing my leg biting and scratching.  I had to seek medical attention.  I am an avid animal lover and feel fear for the first time ever.                                                                               I have two children and I would like to know if this cat can be trusted?  If this would have been one of the children, this could have been tragic.  Is this likely to happen again where it has happened once?  Thank you for your help.

Answer
Sherry,

Your cat was protecting you and his family from this 'interloper' that was in his territory...you were just in the way. When a cat gets protective and territorial like that they don't think, they just attack the nearest pet or person in a frenzy.

First thing, NEVER introduce cats face to face. That is a prescription for disaster (as you have seen). They need the correct introduction process which can take 2 weeks to a month.

Second, NEVER introduce a strange tomcat that may have a sexual smell to him to a resident cat face to face.

I wouldn't be too concerned about trusting the cat as long as you don't repeat the incident with a strange cat.

Give your cat attention, love, and kitty treats and make sure he is calmed down and back to normal. He wasn't being 'a bad kitty', it was just instinct. Don't punish him because that will only confuse him.

Tabbi