Why did my cat attack me and my friend?

[MaggieRose977]

I had a girl friend over, (normally I do not have anyone over), cat was fine, I went to the washroom, my friend was in the kitchen.  All of a sudden, the cat attacked her, I came out, and the cat attacked me.  We sat on the couch, cat was fine again, ate some treats, when our feet touched the floor, cat freaked out again.  Fangs out, growling, hissing, everything!!  I mean cat was screaming!  Normally, gentle loving cat.  Had here from baby.  Never been outside, got all shots, been spayed.  We ran out of apartment, afraid to go back in.  I am scared and don't know what to do.  There is no way she got ahold of any toxic substance, and I've never seen a spider in the house.  M y friend snuck in through window to get my keys, cat was on table hissing, fangs out still.  Please hellp!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Please read some of the "related discussions" in this Forum.  I have answered similar questions.

This is a very complex problem which I believe should be addressed by your veterinarian and an animal behaviorist.  Your veterinarian must first rule out any physical cause for such behavior.  If your cat is perfectly normal physically, than help must be sought by the behaviorist.

You could also try Feliway cat pheromone plug in, which gives cats a feeling of well being, or Spirit Essence holistic therapies for behavior problems.  Feliway is available at pet food stores, and Spirit Essence products are available online at their website: spiritessence.com

[sadiesmomma]

Is your cat declawed?