Aggression, defined as hostile or violent behavior intended to dominate or intimidate another individual, is a common behavioral issue in cats. The causes and triggers for feline aggression can be complex, making it challenging to eliminate. This can lead to significant consequences, including injuries to other pets and people, and sadly, a quarter of cats surrendered to shelters are due to aggression. Therefore, understanding the root cause of your cat’s aggressive behavior is crucial for developing an effective intervention plan. Recognizing the signs of fear or aggression can help prevent injuries. These cues manifest in facial expressions and body posture.
Signs of aggression include dilated pupils, ears flattened backward, an erect tail with raised hairs, and an arched back. Fear can be indicated by dilated pupils, flattened ears angled outward, whiskers pressed down, a tail tightly wrapped or tucked, and a head held upward while lying prone.
There are various types of feline aggression, and a cat may display more than one type simultaneously. Here are general principles for managing all forms of feline aggression:
- Early intervention is key.
- Physical punishment can escalate fear and anxiety, worsening aggression.
- Medications can be helpful, but only when combined with behavioral and/or environmental modifications.
- Recognizing and startling an aggressive cat without physical contact is usually effective.
- Avoid situations known to provoke aggression.
- For territorial aggression, separate cats and reintroduce them slowly with positive reinforcement.
- Food treats are excellent positive reinforcers for non-aggressive behavior.
- If aggression cannot be managed with these techniques, consult a veterinary behaviorist. Always collaborate with your veterinarian.
The first step in managing an aggressive cat is to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Diseases like hyperthyroidism, osteoarthritis, dental disease, and central nervous system problems can cause aggression. Consult your veterinarian before attempting behavioral or environmental modifications.
Once medical issues are ruled out, identifying the type of aggression is vital for understanding its cause and developing an intervention plan.
Types of Feline Aggression and Management Strategies
Cats exhibit aggression for various reasons, and different types may require distinct management approaches.
Play Aggression
This is most common in young cats or kittens who lacked opportunities to play with littermates. Learning appropriate play, including bite inhibition, typically occurs during socialization with siblings. Cats raised in isolation may not learn to moderate their play.
Cats exhibiting play aggression often thrash their tails, pin their ears to the head, and have dilated pupils. They may stalk their target and pounce from hiding. To manage play aggression, identify patterns and preempt the behavior by distracting the cat with toys or preventing access to areas that encourage it, like under the bed if the cat pounces from there. A bell on a breakaway collar can signal the cat’s presence.
Using a brief, startling noise deterrent, such as compressed air or a hiss, can redirect the cat’s attention without causing fear. The goal is distraction, not intimidation. Never physically punish a cat, as this can induce fear or be interpreted as play, inadvertently rewarding the behavior. Walking away and ignoring inappropriate play teaches the cat that such behavior ends the game. Ensure toys used for distraction are kept at a distance from your hands to prevent accidental bites or scratches.
Fear Aggression
This occurs when a cat encounters unfamiliar stimuli, such as new people, animals, or noises, or associates a situation with unpleasant past events, like a vet visit.
Cats displaying fear aggression may flatten their ears, hiss, bare their teeth, crouch low with their tail tucked, and have their fur stand on end. The best approach is to identify and avoid fear-inducing situations. If unavoidable, gradual desensitization may help: briefly expose the cat to the stimulus from a distance and reward calm behavior with food and praise. Avoid consoling an aggressive cat, as this can be seen as approval, and do not show fear, as it might reinforce the behavior if the cat seeks your retreat. Withholding attention is often more effective.
Petting-Induced Aggression
For unknown reasons, some cats become aggressive during petting. Overstimulation or a desire to control the interaction’s duration might be causes. Handling, bathing, grooming, and nail trims can also trigger this. Signs include dilated pupils, tail lashing, and backward-slanted ears before aggression occurs.
To manage petting-induced aggression, avoid uninvited handling, physical punishment or restraint, and interacting with a cat while it’s eating. Rewarding brief, light petting without signs of aggression with treats can be beneficial. Gradually increase petting duration, but stop immediately if aggression appears and allow a cool-down period with no contact. Supervise these cats carefully around young children, who may miss subtle cues of impending aggression. Ideally, prevent physical contact between small children and cats with a history of this behavior.
Redirected Aggression
When a cat is agitated by a stimulus but cannot react directly (e.g., seeing an outdoor cat through a window, loud noises, or an altercation with another indoor cat), it may redirect its aggression toward a nearby human or pet. Removing or blocking the visual stimulus is the primary prevention method. For instance, closing blinds or using deterrents to keep stray cats away from windows can help. Preventing inter-cat altercations is also crucial.
Pain-Induced Aggression
Cats in pain may act aggressively to avoid touch, movement, or activities that exacerbate their discomfort. For example, a cat with osteoarthritis might resent joint manipulation and react with hissing, biting, or scratching. Some cats may continue this behavior even after healing, possibly to avoid past pain. Managing this involves refraining from touching painful areas and working with a veterinarian on pain management strategies.
Status-Induced Aggression
Occasionally, cats may display aggression toward people or other pets to establish social dominance. This can manifest as blocking doorways or swatting at other cats. The most effective approach is to ignore the offending cat completely. Attention, including play and food rewards, should only be given when the cat is relaxed, exhibiting normal pupil size, upright ears, and a relaxed tail posture.
Territorial Aggression
Cats naturally establish and defend territories, leading to aggression towards new cats, or sometimes other animals or people, perceived as intruders. This can even occur with resident cats that were previously accepted but had been away. The behavior typically involves swatting, chasing, and attacking.
When managing territorial aggression, patience is key. Do not rush introductions or reintroductions. Confine new or returning cats to a separate room with their own resources. Gradually introduce them by swapping their living spaces for short periods. The next step involves supervised visual and olfactory introductions, often with carriers or leashes, associating the other cat’s presence with positive experiences like feeding. If aggression occurs, return to a more restrained setup until calm. This process can take weeks to months. Medication may be prescribed by a veterinarian but should complement gradual desensitization. Never place your hands between fighting cats; use barriers like baby gates or cardboard panels.
Maternal Aggression
Queens nursing kittens may become aggressive towardsapproaching individuals. Providing a quiet, low-stress environment, minimizing visitors, and avoiding contact with the mother and kittens when aggression is observed can help. This aggression usually subsides as the kittens grow.
Inter-Cat Aggression
Male cats, and less commonly females, may show aggression towards other males nearing social maturity (two to four years). Neutering or spaying is the first step, as hormones play a significant role. Territorial aggression may also contribute. If neutering/spaying doesn’t resolve the issue, separation and reintroduction using the territorial aggression method may be necessary.
Updated December 2016
