My cat attacked my boyfriend!

Last night, my boyfriend fell down our basement stairs. He landed with a bang and yelled, then came up to the top of the stairs and was shaking out his limbs to make sure everything was working. (There was some swearing involved, too!). My cat, Charlie, was in the kitchen and started freaking out--hissing, etc. My boyfriend went into the living room and the cat stalked him, hissing and then attacking him, biting, scratching, etc. This is completely out of character for Charlie, who normally loves Steve (the boyfriend). I came into the living room to see what was happening, and Steve had the cat held down with one hand as he tried to attack him. I grabbed the spray bottle and Steve got away, but the cat still kept trying to stalk him.

We went out for the evening, and when we got back Charlie seemed calm again, but this morning when Steve tried to pick him up (normally not a problem), Charlie hissed at him again. Now I'm afraid that they will never make up again! What can we do to get Charlie to forget yesterday's incident?

Any advice is appreciated! A few details--Charlie is male, seven, neutered.

Miranda

Miranda,

I believe Charlie was shaken as well as your boyfriend, and that's why he freaked. Have your boyfriend sit on the floor with Charlie and throw him treats. I think once Charlie realizes that your boyfriend is okay and not going to hurt him, everything will go back to normal.

Glad your BF is okay. Poor Charlie. That must've scared the living crap out of him.

Thanks, Moosmom, we'll give that a try! It was chaos here last night, and of course, I went straight to comforting Charlie instead of the boyfriend, so I may have to make up with him while he's making up with Charlie!

yeah, I think t was more of the fact that Charlie was freaked out! he probably had no idea what all the ruckus was, except that it came from your BF. So he just asscociated it with him! he will be okay, and like moosemom just have your Bf throw treast, so charlie knows he is okay again. hope everything works out!! glad your BF is okay!!

Strange. It reminds me of my first husband's dog who used to bite me - badly - when my husband and I quarreled. And once, even when we were just playing, and my husband picked me up and swung me around, the dog thought we were fighting and he bit my leg. He had to wear one of those soft muzzles when he was around me, because I just couldn't ever be sure when he might lose it again. But you would never guess it - he was this old, shambling half-bassett, half-beagle, and didn't seem in the least aggressive. It was just that he had been adopted by my husband from a family that had abused him, and he was so attached to my husband that he was partly jealous (I think) and definitely protective.

But I can't say what is going on with your cat. Do you know if he had any history of being abused by a man at some point before you got him? I sure hope you can get things calmed down again.

Oh - it also reminds me of a friend of mine who had two cats, brother and sister, and she moved in with a new boyfriend. At one point, the male cat just attacked the boyfriend, with no apparent provocation. But in short time, the male cat took to sleeping alongside the boyfriend, and all was peace and harmony, so there is hope for you.

I think bribery will help mend things with the kitty!

Aren't you a true PTer, comforting the cat first! :D Moosmom is right, I'm sure. Having your boyfriend sit on the floor is a great idea because he will appear at his least threatening, and food is the way to most creatures' heart. How about a home-baked cake for the boyfriend?

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone for their advice! After a stressful week (we unfortunately had planned to move all the furniture in our house the day after Charlie attacked, and that did nothing to soothe him!), Charlie seems to be back to his usually lovable self. He and the boyfriend are back to being buddies, and all is well in the world.