How to Properly Deal With an Aggressive Cat
Look for behavioral patterns., Understand your cat's body language., Note when the aggressive behavior happens., Recognize maternal cat aggression., Talk to your veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look for behavioral patterns.
To us, cats can appear baffling or unpredictable, whereas in reality we are just poor are reading their body language and understanding what they are trying to tell us.
But what we do know is that there are a number of distinct patterns involved with cat aggression.
These can be broken into a series of situation-oriented categories that are not mutually exclusive.Play aggression happens when cats take play too far.
Fear/Defense aggression comes from the cat feeling endangered, vulnerable, or trapped.
Territorial aggression is usually just among cats, but can be expressed toward humans and other animals.
Petting aggression is not well understood, and may come from over-stimulation.
Inter-Male aggression relies on the natural competitive nature between toms.
Maternal aggression is the queen cat's instinctual protective response.
Redirected aggression can come from frustration the cat cannot vent, which gets redirected toward another target, such as a nearby cat or person.
Predatory aggression derives from cats whose predatory instincts are triggered.
Pain aggression results from old or current sensations of pain.
Idiopathic aggression is spontaneous, and may be a threat to the physical safety of those who come into contact with the cat. -
Step 2: Understand your cat's body language.
Knowing when your cat is about to go on the offensive or defensive by watching its body language can be key in managing the problem.
Watch out for signs of oncoming aggression, as in:
Defensive postures Crouching Head tucked in Tail curved around the body and tucked in Eyes wide open with pupils partially or fully dilated Ears flattened sideways or backward on the head Piloerection (hackles up/hair stands on end) Turning sideways to the opponent, not straight on Open-mouthed hissing or spitting Quick strikes with front paws, claws out Offensive postures A stiff, straight-legged upright stance Stiffened rear legs, with the rear end raised and the back sloped downward toward the head Stiff tail, lowered or held straight down to the ground Direct stare Upright ears, with the backs rotated slightly forward Piloerection (hackles up), including fur on the tail Constricted pupils Directly facing opponent, possibly moving toward him Might be growling, howling or yowling Overt aggression Swatting, striking with paws Biting Fighting Growling, shrieking Scratching Preparing for an all-out attack by rolling onto side or back and exposing teeth and claws., Does the cat become aggressive in the presence of a certain animal or person? In many cases, aggression happens due to a specific trigger.
Pay attention to the cat's environment during instances of aggression, so that you can work out what might be causing it, and improve the cat's behavior. , Your cat may become aggressive after giving birth.
Mothers have instincts to protect their offspring from potential danger.
Maternal aggression can occur when a mother cat (called a “queen”) with her kittens is approached by people or other animals whom she perceives as a threat.
It’s more often directed at other cats, but it can be directed toward people, as well.
Queens can be quite aggressive when defending their young, especially in the first few days after birth.Avoid handling kittens during the first few days of their lives.
Introduce yourself slowly.
Provide a low stress environment, keep visitors to a minimum, and avoid approaching or handling either the mother or her kittens if you are met with maternal aggression. , This is very important any time you're dealing with animal aggression, in order to evaluate your options.
As there are many different kinds of aggression, some more or less acceptable than others, you will want to make sure your behavior does not worsen the problem. -
Step 3: Note when the aggressive behavior happens.
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Step 4: Recognize maternal cat aggression.
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Step 5: Talk to your veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
Detailed Guide
To us, cats can appear baffling or unpredictable, whereas in reality we are just poor are reading their body language and understanding what they are trying to tell us.
But what we do know is that there are a number of distinct patterns involved with cat aggression.
These can be broken into a series of situation-oriented categories that are not mutually exclusive.Play aggression happens when cats take play too far.
Fear/Defense aggression comes from the cat feeling endangered, vulnerable, or trapped.
Territorial aggression is usually just among cats, but can be expressed toward humans and other animals.
Petting aggression is not well understood, and may come from over-stimulation.
Inter-Male aggression relies on the natural competitive nature between toms.
Maternal aggression is the queen cat's instinctual protective response.
Redirected aggression can come from frustration the cat cannot vent, which gets redirected toward another target, such as a nearby cat or person.
Predatory aggression derives from cats whose predatory instincts are triggered.
Pain aggression results from old or current sensations of pain.
Idiopathic aggression is spontaneous, and may be a threat to the physical safety of those who come into contact with the cat.
Knowing when your cat is about to go on the offensive or defensive by watching its body language can be key in managing the problem.
Watch out for signs of oncoming aggression, as in:
Defensive postures Crouching Head tucked in Tail curved around the body and tucked in Eyes wide open with pupils partially or fully dilated Ears flattened sideways or backward on the head Piloerection (hackles up/hair stands on end) Turning sideways to the opponent, not straight on Open-mouthed hissing or spitting Quick strikes with front paws, claws out Offensive postures A stiff, straight-legged upright stance Stiffened rear legs, with the rear end raised and the back sloped downward toward the head Stiff tail, lowered or held straight down to the ground Direct stare Upright ears, with the backs rotated slightly forward Piloerection (hackles up), including fur on the tail Constricted pupils Directly facing opponent, possibly moving toward him Might be growling, howling or yowling Overt aggression Swatting, striking with paws Biting Fighting Growling, shrieking Scratching Preparing for an all-out attack by rolling onto side or back and exposing teeth and claws., Does the cat become aggressive in the presence of a certain animal or person? In many cases, aggression happens due to a specific trigger.
Pay attention to the cat's environment during instances of aggression, so that you can work out what might be causing it, and improve the cat's behavior. , Your cat may become aggressive after giving birth.
Mothers have instincts to protect their offspring from potential danger.
Maternal aggression can occur when a mother cat (called a “queen”) with her kittens is approached by people or other animals whom she perceives as a threat.
It’s more often directed at other cats, but it can be directed toward people, as well.
Queens can be quite aggressive when defending their young, especially in the first few days after birth.Avoid handling kittens during the first few days of their lives.
Introduce yourself slowly.
Provide a low stress environment, keep visitors to a minimum, and avoid approaching or handling either the mother or her kittens if you are met with maternal aggression. , This is very important any time you're dealing with animal aggression, in order to evaluate your options.
As there are many different kinds of aggression, some more or less acceptable than others, you will want to make sure your behavior does not worsen the problem.
About the Author
Robert Gordon
Committed to making home improvement accessible and understandable for everyone.
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