Territorial aggression happens when a cat feels an intruder is infringing on his or her territory. While often directed at other cats, people and other animals may be the subject of the aggression as well. Triggers may include introducing a new pet or even a new person into the house, a recent move, or new cats in the neighborhood.
Status aggression occurs when a cat attempts to run the house. Cats who growl when you try to move them, block doors, or bite you when you pay attention to another pet may be asserting themselves in this manner. Petting-induced aggression, the type described in the opening paragraph, occurs when a cat who enjoys being pet suddenly changes his or her mind. Redirected aggression is one of the most unpredictable and dangerous types of feline aggression.
In your blameless state, you walk by and wind up on the receiving end of this pent-up outburst, seemingly out of nowhere. The first stop any time a cat shows these aggressive signs without obvious provocation is your veterinarian. She can examine your cat and make sure he does not have a medical condition causing the unwanted behavior. If your cat has a clean bill of health, your veterinarian can refer you to a behaviorist who can help determine the triggers of aggression and the steps you can take at home to resolve the problem.
In many cases, simply being aware of the early signals of a cat about to freak out gives you the chance to remove yourself from the situation before it escalates to violence.
Want to learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of aggression in cats? Read an overview of the condition. Home Cat Care Center. Causes of Sudden Aggression in Cats. Published: March 06, Offensive postures make a cat look big and intimidating.
These postures include: stiffened legs Hackles raised Moving toward you Staring at you Upright ears Growling Stiff tail In either case, you want to avoid interacting with a cat exhibiting these postures as they are on the brink of moving on to the real damaging moves. In some cases, cats may even attack resident cats that were previously accepted but were away from the home, such as for a hospital stay.
This aggression commonly takes the form of swatting, chasing, and attacking the encroaching individual. The most important thing to keep in mind when dealing with territorial aggression is not to rush an introduction or reintroduction.
New or returning cats should be confined to their own room with separate litter box, water, and food. This step can be repeated daily for several days. The next step is to place the cats on opposite ends of the same room in carriers or on leashes with harnesses, so that they can see and smell each other but cannot interact. Feed the cats so that they associate the positive experience of being fed with the presence of the other cat.
This step should be done repeatedly over several days, with a smaller distance between the cats each time. If any signs of aggression occur, resume restraint and feeding in the same room until the cats calm down. This process can take weeks to months, depending upon the cats involved.
In some cases, your veterinarian may have to prescribe medication to one or both cats to prevent adverse interactions, but it is important to note that medication must be used in conjunction with the gradual desensitization process outlined above. It is crucial that you never put your hand or any other body part between cats that are fighting, as you can be seriously injured.
Using barriers such as baby gates or panels made of cardboard, light wood, or plastic to separate aggressive cats can be very effective. Maternal Aggression Queens that have recently given birth and are nursing kittens may demonstrate aggression toward individuals that approach them. Owners should provide a quiet, low-stress environment, keep visitors to a minimum, and avoid contact with the queen and kittens if they observe aggression. Maternal aggression will usually subside as the kittens get older and more independent.
Inter-Cat Aggression Male, and more rarely female, cats may demonstrate aggression toward other male cats as they approach social maturity between two and four years of age. The first step in addressing this behavior is to neuter or spay all cats involved, as sexual hormones may play an important role in this type of aggression. Territorial aggression may also play a role, as described above. If neutering and spaying does not improve the situation, the cats should be separated and reintroduced using the technique outlined above.
Here are some general principles for managing all types of feline aggression: Early intervention is best. Recognizing aggression and startling an aggressive cat without physical contact is usually effective. Avoid situations that you know make a cat aggressive. Separate cats that act aggressively toward each other and reintroduce slowly with positive reinforcement, as described in the Territorial Aggression section. Food treats are excellent positive enforcers of non-aggressive behavior.
Aggression that cannot be managed using the techniques outlined in this brochure may require consultation with a veterinary behaviorist. It is important to use the information presented here in close collaboration with your veterinarian. Types of Aggression Cats can display aggression for a number of reasons. Updated December In other words: Cats attacking their owners isn't something that can be ignored. The first step in correcting the behavior is discovering the cause. Possible reasons include:.
Cats and kittens love to play, and they need to be taught what kind of play is acceptable and what kind is not. Make sure your cats have plenty of toys, and toss new toys into the mix on a regular basis so your cats won't get bored. When a cat is afraid or stressed out, they may attack just because they don't know what else to do. One way to help your cat deal with fear is to make sure they have access to a place that makes them feel safe. This may be a perch atop a kitty condo, an enclosed bed, or even access to a rarely used room.
If their fear seems extreme, consult a vet for advice. Cats are hunters. It's a natural instinct. This is similar to play, but look at it more like practice. They are honing their skills for when they are ready to chase their next insect or rodent.
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