Although they are predatory by nature, domestic cats are rarely aggressive on their own. More often it is caused by some kind of stimulus. An aggressive cat is unpredictable, dangerous and simply scary. Where does the aggressive behavior of a cat come from? How can you counteract it without making the situation worse? Find out if you do not make parenting mistakes that lead to aggression.
Cat aggressive behavior – what does it mean?
An aggressive cat does not necessarily want to hurt someone. It is simply a negative attitude towards the other living being. Aggression is divided into active and passive. Active aggression in a cat is manifested by:
- ridge ridge;
- hissing
- growling;
- biting;
- drapaniem.
Not all aggressive cats attack right away. There is also passive aggression, which can be compared to passive human aggression. It is something like the psychological abuse of the victim. Both types of aggression can affect the victim. The emotional problems of persecuted cats can have serious physical consequences.
How is passive aggression manifested in a cat? This type is definitely more difficult to recognize, and it consists, inter alia, in on:
- staring at your victim;
- preventing the victim from reaching objects important to him with his own body;
- chasing another animal away, interfering with playing, sleeping, eating, etc .;
- any other behavior that could be characterized as psychological abuse.
Cat aggression – distinguish between its types
An aggressive cat always behaves this way for a reason. Doctors and behaviorists distinguish several basic types of aggressive behavior in cats:
- territorial – most often occurs when a second specimen of the same species, i.e. a competitor, appears on the cat’s territory;
- aggressive cats in a group – sometimes it appears even among cats that have known each other for a long time, but their relationships have suddenly changed or violated;
- hostility towards a new individual – it may have a territorial basis or it may be a desire to defend the resources of the current group and fear of strangers;
- sexual aggression in a cat – occurs when two or more cats have to compete with each other for one partner;
- maternal aggression occurs when the mother has to defend the kittens;
- Transferred Aggression – This is a term that describes a cat’s hostile behavior for apparently no reason. It happens when a cat is angry about one thing, an event or a person, but is unable to discharge its emotions on that object. Then it is often exploited on the nearest person or animal;
- anxiety background – when an animal is afraid, aggression is simply a form of defense;
- the cat can be aggressive during hunting. The so-called hunting aggression is caused by a strong predator instinct. Even completely domesticated, calm cats show it from time to time.
All of the above causes of aggression in a cat have a clear basis in the cat’s psyche. Mostly this means that the animal has been cornered and does not have the time, opportunity, or idea for a different response. In these situations, it is worth acting calmly and understanding the feline nature. However, if the attacking cat has no clear reason to behave in any particular way, be sure to take a closer look at the situation. The aggression towards the household members is particularly disturbing.
Why is the cat aggressive?
Wondering why the cat is aggressive? No animal behaves in a hostile way without a reason. Most often, such behaviors can be attributed to:
- stress or fear – the cat cannot escape the situation, so it will behave aggressively towards the nearest animal. Perhaps the attacking cat is just afraid and has nowhere to run;
- pain or disease – here, too, aggression towards vets and caregivers often occurs. It is simply a sign of discomfort, and one must be patient and gentle here;
- past traumas;
- behavioral and behavioral problems – if your cat is aggressive while playing, it may be because you separate your cat from its mother and siblings too early. When you allow him to do this in his youth, you only reinforce it. Remember that the cat will not change its behavior by itself.
Cat aggression towards the owner
Why is the cat aggressive towards people who treat him well? We have partially answered this question before. An aggressive cat often doesn’t even pay much attention to who is nearby. He tries to unleash his emotions and instincts in an unbridled frenzy.
In some cases, a cat’s aggression towards its owner is an attempt to prioritize. However, you need to keep a close eye on your pet. You absolutely shouldn’t let it dominate you. Remember, however, that things are different when it comes to scared, stressed and suffering cats, and differently to those who are not educated. Do not generalize the causes of cat aggression and always follow the source of the problem adequately.
Aggressive cat – what to do?
Dealing with cat aggression is a very broad topic. It is not easy and requires a lot of patience. Much depends on the cause of the aggression. Start by observing your pet. Remember that an aggressive cat never behaves like this without a reason – try to find it out. In many cases, the solution to territorial and sexual aggression is castration. After the treatment, the male becomes gentler. Moreover, the risk of certain diseases disappears.
Don’t give your cat any sedatives on your own. Medications given without consultation on an aggressive cat may have the opposite effect. Universal cat pheromones will work better here. If you want to give him something stronger, consult your vet first.
To avoid territorial aggression, it is worth introducing your pets to each other gradually. The new cat should be given time to calmly explore the area. This way you will rule out stress. In turn, the resident needs time to meet a new friend – preferably through a fence that will prevent combat.
Never punish a cat for its aggression. Instead, reward good behavior. However, when the cat is aggressive, e.g. while playing – just walk away. Seemingly threatening, the attacking cat will quickly get bored of such behavior when it sees that it has no effect. In case of big problems, consult a specialist – a behaviorist will help you solve the problem.
An aggressive cat is causing problems in your home? Don’t ignore this behavior. You cannot allow them or react violently as it will only aggravate the problem. If you feel helpless and have no idea what to do – contact a specialist who will help you educate your cat about undesirable behavior.