How to deal with a nasty mean cat?

I just got a new roommate who has the nastiest meanest most aggressive cat I have ever met. And I usually LOVE cats, so you know this is bad. She refuses to trim his claws because he won't let anybody hold him and she doesn't want to hurt "her baby". This is funny (mildly so) because the cat has full on backed me into corners and attacked me, hissing, biting, and scratching. Painful bloody scratching. I'm afraid to leave my room! I don't want to ask my friend to move out, but what else can I do? This is crazy. Help please!

Ignore him. I just read a Q & A website about why cat's do what they do, and there was a question about why cats seem to love people who hate cats.

I posted the link below (credit Y!A poster canikeepthisnameforever)

Also, if this person just moved in, it's probably very stressful and confusing for the cat. They hate change to begin with, and now he's in this new environment where he doesn't know the territory, and this new person who his owner has accepted unquestioningly.

Leave him alone and give him some time to adjust to his new surroundings. Don't look at him, don't go near him, don't try to pick him up or even pet him. Give it a couple weeks and see if his demeanor changes. If so, then introduce your affection to him slowly. Start with cat toys; getting him to play will distract his attention from the stress he's under. Then move on to a cat treat or two. Once he accepts these from you, try scratching him under the chin. Don't come in from above, as he may interpret this as a threat. He may never come to love you, but will hopefully come to accept you.

If his behavior doesn't change, then you may have to ask your roommate to either find a new place for her cat, or a new place to live. You should not have to live in fear that a domestic animal is going to attack you whenever you leave your room.

The only thing you can do is to either ask your friend to move out, or have her confine the cat.

However, I have never heard of such an aggressive domestic cat who would purposely back people into corners to attack them. If this is truly the case, then the cat may need to go to the vet to be tested for neural disorders like feline dementia. If the case is that you are purposely irking the cat, then you need to stop.

Best of luck, and no, you may not give it human medicines of any sort, and you may not take it to the humane society unbeknownst to your friend.

Obviously the cat is feral. These cats rarely change as it's extremely hard to discipline a cat. If he does not do this with his owner, then he is a one-person cat and that is probably how it will stay. You didn't mention if he was spayed, but sometimes that will mellow them. Suggest this to your roomate and if that doesn't work, I think you may have to look for a new roomate. You can't live in fear!!

You have to bribe that silly old cat. Keep treats in your pocket and a can of catfood in the cupboard. If that doesn't work you be the aggressor .. when the cat is being aggressive, stamp your foot and waves your arms and scare him off. He is trying to dominate you and appears to be winning.