Cat attacked puppy!!

[Krysta Smith]

Lola pretty much has free reign of the house while I'm at home and she sometimes goes upstairs while I'm downstairs. It's never been a problem, she usually lays up on the couch and watches outside. I have one cat, Keesha, that usually doesn't bother with her and Lola keeps her distance- Keesha has swatted at her a couple times but never in serious fighting. Just a few minutes ago I heard Lola and Keesha upstairs, Lola was sliding around the kitchen floor- so I raced upstairs to find Lola backed into a corner with her hackles up and tail between her legs. Keesha was attacking her- hissing spitting, everything. I couldn't believe it!! I grabbed Keesha (who started attacking me) and put her in my sister's bedroom. I came back to check on Lola and she was terrified!! She was drooling, shaking and she'd had an accident on the floor, which has never happened before. Luckily she didn't seem to be hurt. I took her downstairs to my mom and realized Keesha had scratched up my arm really bad. I don't know what to do. I feel so horrible!! Lola should not have been allowed upstairs with Keesha around. Nothing like this has ever happened before though. Lola's been upstairs by herself plenty of times and Keesha just stays out of her way, usually in one of the bedrooms. I don't know what started all this, if Lola got too close or what, but Keesha has never shown this kind of agression before. She didn't even stop attacking when I picked her up- it was like she was on a rage or something. I feel so stupid, it's all my fault. I'm lucky that Lola wasn't seriously injured!! Now my mom's worried because she is starting a daycare at home and if that had been a toddler who'd gone in the kitchen they would have been scratched to pieces!! Loal will definitely not be going anywhere without me right there!!

[Luciann]

Krysta

It is very possible that Lola came upon the the cat while it was sleeping and startled it. which is why the cat attacked. but i definitely understand your concern, i keep my two babies away from cats since they are both scared to death of cats, they carry on like they want to hurt the cat but if the cat takes a step in their direction they both scream and run the opposite way.

you be sure to take care of the scratches really well though. i have no real advice to give other than saying good luck and give lola some extra love and stuff.

[Daniela Jantzen]

Krysta,

to be on the safe side: have Keesha checked out by a vet to ensure she has no physical problem.
In general: as long as the cat has her own safety zone where no toddler can disturb (extra room?), there should be no problem with having kids over.
However, I would ensure the cat is stable again in her behaviour and that the interaction with Lola had been a one-time thing before adding any stress factor in the cat's life. Otherwise things might get worse!

Danny

[Susan Schue]

We have a stray cat in the neighborhood who likes to sit on the window sill, which drives my younger cat Tiny into a tizzy wanting to get at him. When he is in this tizzy, he has been known to attack my other cat instead, both dogs, and me (whoever is unlucky enough to be closest to him). It's like he can't help but lash out at something having been denied his real enemy. We've all learned to steer clear of him when he's in this mood, and he does get over it pretty quickly. Take good care of those scratches, cat scratches tend to get infected.

Other than that, hope that your poor pup learned a valuable lesson, and make sure kitty has somewhere to peaceful to escape. I usually let mine settle it for themselves, but do intervene when it gets rough.

On a funny note, Maggie tends to pester Tiny, and a couple times I thought Bonzo was joining in to gang up on him, which I stopped immediately. A couple days ago I waited a little longer and saw that Bonzo is actually coming to Tiny's defense, and trying to get Maggie to back off.

[Krysta Smith]

Thanks for all your support!!

I'm pretty sure what happened is that Keesha was hiding between the couch and chair and jumped out at Lola as she was walking by and then chased her into the kitchen where Lola was backed into a corner. Because Lola wouldn't knowingly get that close to her. She always stays about four feet back and acts like she wants to play (she wags her tail and bows). I don't understand why Keesha would do that though. She's never been anything but loving and I had just been petting her that morning. She used to be my cat so her going after me is really scary. (When we moved to toronto six years ago she became my sister's cat) Even if she had jumped out at Lola she should have let it go and gone back to her spot but instead she chased Lola and started attacking her. And she didn't stop when she got to me, she just kept at it. Keesha has both my sister's and my parents' bedroom to go in- Lola's not allowed in either, and that's usually where she stays unless she goes downstairs.