From Leanne via Earthlink

"We have a male cat named Star who is neutered, but still has a very aggressive side. He has a stuffed animal (kitty) that he likes to mount in our living room on a Persian rug, so clearly, he is an "alpha" cat. He clawed our son, Jacob, 4 different times, when Jacob was between the age of 6 and 8. The "provocation" was Jacob playing on the ground (twice on the same Persian rug), and making loud noises that seemed to startle and anger Star. We were told by our vet that Jacob needs to establish his dominance-- so Jacob started talking very sternly after the next attack (the cat clawed him and drew a little blood)-- I spoke in a very loud, authoritative voice too, and gave Star a time out.

"Since then, the cat has not attacked Jacob (now 11) when he's playing. But, if a loud noise takes place (like when our paper shredder is in use), Star will run across the house and claw the person closest to the paper shredder, his teeth are bared, and his ears are back.

"The real issue is with our housekeeper. He was fine with her until she started cleaning his litter box 15 months ago. Since then, he hisses at her every time she comes. When we made the connection, she started cleaning his litter in private, but he knows why she's there and still hisses at her.

"Most disturbing was a vicious attack that took place on Monday when our house-keeper was innocently walking through the house. Our cat was hiding in the fireplace, came out and ran up to her and clawed her up for no reason. He ripped her jeans in the process, and although I didn't see it, I heard the attack-- he made loud, scary cat noises that sounded as though he belonged in the jungle. She had two long and deep scratches on the back of her leg, and one on the front of her leg-- all three with blood, and what looked like the emerging of bruising. I sent her to the doctor for antibiotics and a tetanus shot. I locked Star up for the rest of the day, promising her that he will be locked up any time she's in our home, that she won't have to see him at all in the future.

"Needless to say, I am very concerned about whether Star is a safe animal to keep. He has had one other vicious attack with a 'stranger' cleaning his box-- our cat-sitter came twice a day and cleaned his box while we were on vacation 16 months ago. She was wearing a gas mask while doing the cleaning, which also may have freaked him out, and he went nuts and clawed her up. This last summer, the same cat-sitter came while we were on vacation-- and she did all the litter cleanings in a room where he couldn't see her doing it. He did not attack her this time.

"Obviously, we should make sure that our cat is locked up any time our housekeeper is in the house. We are also taking over the litter cleaning duties. But, is this enough? Are we fooling ourselves with an animal that is this aggressive? He's sweet most of the time-- particularly tender and loving at night. He has some other strange, but endearing habits. He loves to drink water out of the tap in the bathroom sinks and kneads the sink, as though he is nursing while he drinks. He purrs during this ritual and lets water run all over his head, seeming to enjoy the process of getting wet. He begs to drink water out of all the sinks, in succession, but we limit him to two of the sinks.

"I was thinking of having his testosterone levels checked, to make sure that his neutering was complete (in the event that he has an undescended testicle that was left behind.) Thanks for any input."

Clearly, Star has security issues with your house. I only bring this up because you mentioned having a housekeeper, but perhaps your house is too clean for yout cat. Cats thrive on familiarity and one way they make a place their own is to go around marking everything with scent glands that have on their cheeks (hence the reason they're always "head butting" you, their people). If your house is being cleaned too aggressively, perhaps there's such a minimum of scent marking that Star doesn't feel comfortable.

Add to that the fact that a stranger is messing around in the one place that does smell comfortable, his litterbox, and you have a real recipe for disaster.

Still, does Star have any space in the house that he can call his own, a dresser top, an old blanket, even a corner with a special pillow, someplace that smells and feels comfortable and familiar to him, regardless of any other regular upheavals that may be going on in the house? If not, I suggest you attempt to manufacture such an area.

It needs to be near where you tend to congregate, as cats always want to be near their people. Put an old sweater, t-shirt, towel, or even blanket there, something that smells strongly of you. Before long, you may be surprised when you see somewhat of a relaxation in his behavior.

Still, Star does sound exceptionally aggressive. I do recommend you get his testosterone level checked, and ask your very if she can think of any other reasons for his extreme aggressiveness. If there seems to be no simple solution, perhaps a domicile where he can feel more at home may be the only answer.

========

Cat fancier Rob "Power of the Meow" Stanson has been an observer and studied cats for over twenty years. Visit him at "The Cat's Meow" where you can view the archives or ask him your own question which he will answer in a future column!