anger transference

Question
Can you tell me what this is--how long it lasts and if it is something caused by a physical problem or just emotional?
The cat is about 4 years old, has always bee extremely sweet ---just turned on the owner--hisses and sptits --constantly and did scratch her .  This behavior has been going on for three days now.

Thanks

Susie

Answer
Susan,

Anytime there is a noticeable change in a cat's behavior you should have a vet check the cat.

It could be she is injured or in pain. If she is not spayed, she could have been bred.

It could be redirected aggression. That happens when a cat sees a strange cat outside and  becomes territorial, but can't get to the strange cat to defend her territory. The cat then turns on the closest animal or person if there isn't any other animals. If she can see a stray cat out the window then the window needs to be blocked past the cat's eye level so she can't see the other cat. If it is allowed to go on the cat may develop a permanent personality change.

There is a very popular cat calming spray and plug-in you can use called Feliway. It is available at pet stores or on-line. It copies relaxing pheromones that cats produce from rubbing their faces on things.

There is also a calming product that you can add to the cat's food that reduces anxiety called Bach's Rescue Remedy. It is available on-line and in health food stores. Here is a link about it: (copy and paste, or type the whole links into your address bar)
http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

If the cat is still being very stressed the vet can put her on "kitty Prozac" for a short term (usually 2 weeks) until she calms down.

But first you need to find out if it is a medical issue before you deal with the problem as a behavioral one.