Cat aggressive

[larandsandy]

Hi, my 3 year old female cat has been aggressive ever since we got her as a 6 week old kitten.  We worked with her a lot and now she is ok with everyone in my family except my husband.  She came from a bad situation.  She was in a home with one male member who was wheel-chair bound and couldn't care for the kittens.  I doubt it if he socialized with the kittens at all.  They had two rooms to roam in which were not sanitary and food was thrown on the floor.  So, I knew I would have a challenge  but I was up for it to save the kitten.  She has made wonderful improvement, except where my husband is concerned.  He really tries to warm up to her, but she will bite him in the face if he tries to pick her up.  She will let him pet her, but that is about it.  He has never been aggressive with her, so why is she doing this?  Is it because of her kitten situation?  Any suggestions on how to get her to trust him?  Thanks for your comments.

[Savas]

The above is essentially correct in what your husband has to do, and could be what might be the cause.

Let me ask this though;

Us male humans tend to be loud creatures who often use wide, sweeping movements and gestures, Is your husband like this at all? Loud laugh, gets excited when watching football games or the like?

Some cats observe this behavior and don't understand it but find it intimidating. They remember it and when approached by the "Big Scary guy", panic. (I've had this problem myself with some. Can't totally help it, I laugh, I do it loud, I thump the table, etc... :)  )

If the above is true, I'd suggest your husband try to contain himself around kitty. But good luck, I've never been successful at doing it fully, so I just try to respect and understand those cats that are skittish around me.

[bedtimestory]

HI Lara,

Perhaps her aggressive behavior does not have to do with her previous owner because I just think she was too young to remember the things she went through. You know it is funny because almost everybody I know who owns a female cat tells me their feline tends to be aggressive towards their husbands and sweet with them. I wonder if this has to do with sex. Has she been spayed?

Your cat is obviously not accepting your husband as part of her pack. She has adopted you but rejects him. The only thing on my mind right now is tell your husband to pet her but do not pick her up. Every time he tries to do this she feels stressed and in discomfort. Some people try to give them treats, food, love and cats simply will not accept them. Perhaps she doesn't like his smell or something about him. But yeah..this behavior is definitely your cat not accepting your hubby. Can you teach her how to be humble or how to accept him? I honestly don't know. Cats are very very weird.