Picture this. A cat snarling fiercely, its mouth wide open, revealing razor-sharp teeth. Ears pressed flat against its head and eyes wide, pupils dilated. It's something out of a horror movie, isn't it? The hisses and growls add to the eerie ambiance. This is cat aggression, and it's quite scary.
But why does your furry friend exhibit such behavior? What are the warning signs you should look out for? And most importantly, what can you do about it? In this article, we'll walk you through the different types of aggression in cats, their causes, and potential solutions. Let's get started.
The Real-Life Horror Show: Cat Aggression
Fiendish Cats?
Witnessing an angry cat firsthand can be quite intimidating. If you haven't experienced it personally, chances are you've seen the chilling portrayal in a horror flick. It's a classic image - the cat, snarling with its sharp teeth on full display, ears pressed back and eyes wide with pupils dilated.
The eerie soundtrack of growls and hisses amplifies the tension.
Peeling back the layers of aggression in cats, understanding their root causes, and identifying early warning signs can empower you to better manage these unnerving incidents. We're here to guide you through this unsettling yet fascinating aspect of cat behavior.
Warning Signs Of Cat Aggression
Sometimes, it may seem that an attack came out of the blue, but more often there are plenty of warning signs. Knowing these signs and learning to recognize them can prevent some painful bites and scratches.
Physical Signals From Aggressive Cats
Some of the physical signals that an aggressive (or potentially aggressive) cat may present are:
- Wide open eyes.
- Dilated pupils (in case of a perceived threat), or very constricted pupils (as the cat tries to threaten back).
- Flattened ears.
- Tail lashing or straight tail with bristled fur.
- agitated meows that turn into growling and snarling.
- hissing voices and sometimes even spitting.
Understanding Types Of Cat Aggression
Behaviorists often categorize aggression toward people according to the source of the aggression. This allows for a better understanding of the underlying causes of the cat's behavior, which, in turn, can hopefully lead to a better resolution.
Following are five types of aggression that cats may exhibit.
Fear-Induced Aggression
When cats are frightened, their "fight-or-flight" response mechanism is activated. Most cats prefer to run away from danger (real or imaginary), but if they feel cornered or unable to run away for any reason, they may attack. Even shy or timid cats will strike out if left with no way to escape.
Fear-induced aggression is easy for us to identify if we can recognize the cause of the fear. Sometimes, the cause is not obvious. Timid cats may be afraid of all sorts of imagined threats, even sudden sounds or movements. Your cat may also have experienced something traumatic in the past that makes it afraid of something particular that you are not aware of.
Aggression As A Reaction To Punishment
Fear-induced aggression is also a cat's natural reaction to punishment, especially physical punishment. Cats do not learn from any of the kinds of punishment or rebuke that one might use with dogs or children - instead of changing the misbehavior, the cat is more likely to become afraid of you and react violently.
Redirected Aggression
Whatever the original trigger may have been, cats that are not able to retaliate against a source of aggravation may redirect their response to the nearest person, cat, or other animals (the family dog, for instance).
Your cat may sit by the window and suddenly notice a dog, a raccoon, or another cat. The cat becomes agitated, but, being confined indoors, cannot do much to deter the perceived danger.
That very minute, when the cat is focused on the threat outside, you casually walk by and pet its head. No wonder the cat suddenly hisses and lashes out at you. All that pent-up aggression is suddenly released in what may seem to you like an unprovoked attack.
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Pain-Induced Aggression in Cats
For us humans, this is perhaps the easiest type of aggression to understand. Poor Kitty is in pain, so it seems natural that she will be confused and try to attack anyone who is around her. We usually sympathize with our cat when she lashes out at the vet for a painful procedure.
After all, she doesn't understand that this is for her own good and naturally defends herself from pain.
Sometimes, it is more difficult to ascertain that pain is the cause of aggression. You may accidentally hurt a cat while picking him up or during a grooming session.
Cats have very sensitive skin and may react to pain that we don't even realize we have caused.
Aggression Triggered By Petting
This is an event some cat owners are well familiar with. Your cat is lying contentedly by your side asking for some petting and you begin to gently stroke the cat. At first, the cat is purring away, but within a few minutes the purring slowly stops, the tail begins to twitch and then suddenly the cat grabs your hand with its teeth and claws.
This is a well-known behavior pattern, but it's hard to tell why some cats are more sensitive to petting than others. It may have to do with early socialization with people, or with genetic disposition.
Either way, it looks like some cats become over-stimulated and feel threatened when petted for too long. Exactly how long is too long differs from cat to cat. If you live with such a sensitive feline, you will usually learn pretty quickly what it considers to be too long.
Illness Induced Aggression
Cats may become aggressive because of a medical problem. According to The Cornell Book of Cats, "Meningiomas (tumors of the membrane covering the brain), feline ischemic syndrome (constricted or obstructed blood vessels in the brain), rabies, and toxoplasmosis have all been associated with the development of aggressive behavior."
Therefore, with any gradual or sudden onset of unprovoked violence, you should first consult your vet and check for medical reasons. You know your cat best and you should note any changes in behavior as part of a regular health assessment.
Of these diseases, rabies is the most dangerous, since it can be passed to humans and is always fatal. If you suspect a cat's violence (whether the cat is yours or not) may be related to rabies, you must contact your vet and/or doctor immediately.
Note: Most cat owners get bites and scratches not from one of these types of aggressive behavior, but rather during playtime, or even when the cat is "complimenting" you with the kind of love bites cats share among themselves when mating or playing with each other.
It may feel the same, but this is different from true aggression and will be discussed in a separate article.
Dealing With Cat Aggression
Understanding the proper response when your cat exhibits aggressive behavior is crucial to your safety, as well as the well-being of your pet.
Handling An Attack
If your cat has attacked you and is holding you with his claws and teeth, resist the urge to struggle free, which will only ensure scratches and bites. Instead, keep very calm and do not move or try to pry the cat's mouth open or hit or yell at the cat. No loud noises! With your free hand, gently soothe the cat by softly stroking the tops of his paws and then his toe pads until he releases his grip, all the while speaking gently and calmly to it.
Post-Attack Measures
Do not quickly pull away both hands and get up and away from the cat, but do stop petting or stroking it entirely, keeping your hands away from its teeth and claws. Let the cat sit where it is and only when it is calm, try to carefully ease it away from you. It is best to then leave the cat alone for a cooling-off time.
Preventing Aggressive Behavior
Neutering Your Cat
If the aggressive cat is a whole male (Tomcat), you should get him fixed as soon as possible. Although unaltered males usually display territorial aggression toward other cats, this aggression can become redirected against people. Neutering will also help to prevent roaming and injuries from catfights, as well as control the serious problem of cat overpopulation.
Reducing Stress Levels
Stress may be the underlying cause of many behavioral problems, including aggression toward people. Almost any kind of aggression is likely to get worse when the cat is stressed. Stress is caused by changes in the cat's environment, and the cat's tendency to become stressed over these changes differs from one cat to another.
Avoiding Punishment
Never punish the cat for aggressive behavior! Punishing the cat is likely to add to the stress and make the cat even more aggressive.
Seeking Expert Consultation
Cat aggression can be a serious problem. If you feel that things are getting out of control, consult your veterinarian and ask her to refer you to a local cat behavior expert.
Medication
Your vet or an animal behaviorist may recommend drug therapy as a means of dealing with an aggressive cat, even when the problem is not caused by illness. This will usually complement a behavioral treatment program set up by an expert.
Wrapping Up: Understanding And Managing Cat Aggression
Confronting cat aggression can be a daunting experience. Understanding the different types of aggression, and their causes, and knowing how to manage them can significantly reduce the stress for both you and your feline companion.
Remember, the key to handling an aggressive cat includes staying calm during an attack, avoiding punishment, and implementing stress reduction techniques. Regular vet check-ups and, if necessary, seeking help from a cat behavior expert can ensure you are providing the best care for your pet.
While it may take time and patience, it's completely possible to foster a safer and healthier relationship with your pet, even if they display aggressive tendencies. Ultimately, understanding and empathizing with your cat's emotions is the cornerstone of any effective solution.
May your journey with your feline friend be filled with love, trust, and mutual understanding. With careful attention and a caring approach, you can turn the real-life horror of cat aggression into a far more harmonious existence.
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Additional Reading:
How To Deal With Non-recognition Aggression In Cats
Re-directed Aggression In Cats
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