Aggressive behavior is one of the most common problems found in cats. Aggression refers to the actions of an animal that can harm a person, another representative of the fauna, or the cat itself. Aggression can be a natural response to certain circumstances, or it can be a manifestation of pathological conditions.
Many owners of aggressive pets fall into despair, not knowing what to do in such a situation. But you shouldn’t get upset prematurely and, especially, don’t immediately get rid of the animal. First, you should understand the reasons that cause hostile behavior, and also familiarize yourself with methods that can prevent aggression in your pet.
Changes in your pet's behavior
First, you need to understand that manifestations of aggression do not always indicate some kind of pathology. Representatives of felines are predators by nature, so in many cases aggressive behavior is considered a variant of the norm.
- For example, a cat that has recently given birth instinctively changes its behavior in order to protect its offspring.
- Therefore, one should not be surprised at the aggression directed at the owner.
- The behavior of cats also changes at the stage of hormonal changes.
- This usually happens in the spring, when natural instincts for reproduction are activated.
Even neutered cats can become more aggressive, since the instinct of dominance is embedded in the cat's brain.
According to experts, white cats are more prone to aggressive behavior. This is due to the fact that they are descendants of Angora cats, which are known for their wild temperament.
Make carrying a habitual place
The transportation process is always exciting for pets. To minimize unpleasant sensations, it is worth accustoming your cat to a crate from an early age so that it does not cause him fear. It is better to leave the bag open in a visible place in the house. Lay a soft blanket inside and place your pet's favorite toy. Wait until the cat wants to go into the house, do not force him there. During short trips, transport your cat in a carrier; you can also use the cage when going to the store or visiting friends and relatives. This way the bag will become a second home and favorite place for your pet.
External manifestations of aggression
Signs that your cat is aggressive include:
- Ears pressed to the head;
- Dilated pupils;
- Sweeping nervous movements of the tail;
- Hiss.
Some pets literally hunt their owners, waiting for them and then pouncing around the corner.
The causes of aggression in cats may be different, but they all require detailed analysis.
Categories of cat aggression: what's wrong with your cat
There are reasons for everything, everything has a consequence, and there are no hopeless situations. The owner panics: “The cat is aggressive! What to do?!" will not lead to a positive result.
First, you need to calm down. Secondly, figure it out. Thirdly, begin correction and treatment. If the cat attacks or behaves inappropriately, follow this simple algorithm.
Calm down, master!
A person is only able to help an animal when he himself is calm and reasonable. The emotional life of animals is no less eventful than ours. Therefore, any human reaction is perceived by the animal as a signal to action.
Causes of aggressive behavior
Why does a cat show aggression? One of the reasons is poor physical health. The animal may experience pain caused by injury or surgery. In this case, the owners have to endure the attacks steadfastly in order to help the pet or feed it.
The second reason is hormonal changes. For example, a grown-up kitten may be aggressive towards humans during puberty, and adult cats and cats - in the spring.
- Aggression in a male manifests itself during the cat's heat period. Depending on the individual characteristics of the animal, behavior may be different. In general, aggressiveness decreases with age, but there are exceptions to this rule. If an adult cat behaves too nervously, it is better to simply leave him alone without doing anything.
- Representatives of the cat family are constantly fighting for leadership with their brothers. Friendly relationships between animals of the same sex are extremely rare. Therefore, owners should not be surprised if their pets begin to show hostility towards each other and fight for territory.
- Often cats become aggressive simply under stress. This can happen after a change of place of residence, major renovations in the house, or the appearance of an animal or child. In these cases, aggressive behavior is predictable: the animal worries that its usual way of life will change forever.
- One of the reasons for aggression may be the lack of proper upbringing. If from childhood a kitten was allowed to bite and scratch its owner, then you should not be surprised that an adult cat will demonstrate aggressive behavior. He believes that he has the right to this.
The animal may be thirsty or hungry. If a cat has long run out of water or missed feeding time, he may bite or scratch his owner in order to communicate his needs. In addition, the pet becomes nervous if it does not receive enough important vitamins and microelements from its daily diet.
Unfortunately, one of the most serious causes of aggression can be mental problems.
In this case, the animal simply cannot control its behavior. You can understand what exactly is happening to the cat by consulting with a specialist.
The cat growls and hisses – video
If a cat hisses at a kitten that has just been brought into the house, with this behavior she shows that she is the only one in charge here. The animal may behave aggressively towards the newcomer if he approaches personal belongings. This is how the pet shows that it is forbidden to use her things. Another common reason why a cat does not accept a kitten and hisses is jealousy of the owner.
An animal may hiss at kittens from its litter for the following reasons:
- The offspring are in danger and the cat hisses to explain to the kids that they need to sit quietly;
- Mama Cat teaches life lessons by preparing children for harsh realities;
- The baby's smell seems foreign. This happens when a person often picks up newborn kittens to look at and play with them;
- The cat does not want to waste time and energy on non-viable kittens;
- The cat doesn't feel well, then she hisses at the kids to leave her alone.
How to solve a problem
Ignoring the problem will make the situation worse. Your pet is likely to be under a lot of stress, which can directly impact their health. Sleep problems, decreased immunity and other problems may appear.
It’s not difficult to calm down a small animal that is getting really angry: just spray it with water. This will let the kitten know that he is behaving incorrectly. In a situation with an adult cat, the problem needs to be solved differently.
- Firstly, if the aggression has become constant, you need to visit a veterinarian to rule out diseases and injuries. The specialist will examine the animal and, if necessary, prescribe treatment. A sedative for cats with aggression is prescribed as an adjuvant.
- If aggressive behavior is associated with the reproductive instinct, then the problem can be solved through sterilization or castration. After the operation, which is performed by an experienced specialist, the animal quickly recovers and begins to lead its normal lifestyle.
- Sometimes the problem is solved by leaving the animal alone. If aggression is caused by the appearance of new pets, you need to isolate the animal for a while, allocating it a separate corner or room. Feeling safe, the cat will be able to calm down. The animals will have a chance to gradually get used to each other.
It may be worth reconsidering your cat's diet. To select the appropriate food or vitamin supplements, you should consult your veterinarian. Most animals respond very well to the addition of vegetables or grass to their diet.
What to do if you are attacked by a cat?
Naturally, the precautions taken depend on whether you were attacked by an outdoor cat or an indoor one. If you are attacked by a street cat, be sure to consult a doctor! Street animals prefer to avoid confrontation with people
If a cat attacks, there is a high probability that it is infected with the rabies virus.
After an attack by a domestic cat, the severity of the injuries must be assessed.
The scratch should be treated with an antiseptic as soon as possible. The condition of damaged skin should be monitored for 3–4 hours. If severe swelling appears in the damaged area, you have a fever, or feel very unwell, be sure to consult a doctor.
The bite should be treated with an antiseptic as soon as possible. If possible, do not allow a blood clot to form at the puncture site. The longer the blood flows, the greater the likelihood of avoiding further inflammation.
If a cat bites your arm or leg, it is better to soak the injured limb in the solution:
- 1 liter of clean water.
- 1–2 teaspoons salt.
- 10–15 drops of iodine.
If your indoor cat has free access to the outdoors and is not vaccinated against rabies, if bitten, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Useful tips
Solving problems associated with aggression takes a long time, so you will have to be patient. Experts recommend following several recommendations to avoid negative consequences.
- If the animal is about to attack, you can neutralize the threat in a simple and safe way - throw a blanket or blanket over it, wrap it in it and take it to another room, leaving it there for a while.
- You can spray the animal with water from a water pistol: this is an effective, safe measure that helps to quickly neutralize an attack of rage.
- When faced with aggression, the owner must remain calm, continue to talk kindly to the pet, and not make sudden movements.
Often, in order to correct the situation, you need to change your behavior too. The owner will have to show enough wisdom and patience to help his pet.
Treat yourself to something tasty after your visit
After each visit to the veterinarian, treat your pet to his favorite treat. Even if the cat behaved aggressively, do not neglect this tradition. Then, perhaps, next time the animal will better accept a trip to the doctor and behave calmer. Give treats by hand, do not put them in a bowl. This simple gesture will help establish a connection between the owner and the cat; the pet will trust you more.
Accustoming a cat to behave calmly at a veterinarian's appointment can be an almost impossible task if the animal senses danger in a given situation, so the owner must create the most comfortable conditions possible for his pet. We hope these tips help make visits to the vet easier for you and your cat.
Photo instructions on how to get rid of cat aggression
Helping a veterinarian examine a cat at home
To make things easier for himself, the veterinarian and the cat himself, the breeder needs to do the following:
Your cat's claws must be trimmed and straightened. You can also use special protective “attachments” for the paws. You don’t have to buy special products; you can even get by with an old sock.
If the veterinarian needs to examine the “posterior regions” of a nervous cat, the animal can be restrained using a felt boot. The method may look “savage”, but the felt will perfectly protect the cat and the specialist from injury.
In cases where the animal is very violent, children's undershirts of suitable sizes and surgical blankets can be used for fixation. With their help, it is easy to secure the limbs of the “mad beast” so that it does not scratch anyone.
And finally. The situation when a “cute cat” can hardly be held by four adults during examination is not a joke, unfortunately, but a sad reality. If possible, enlist the help of at least one “volunteer”. If the animal is very nervous, an extra pair of hands definitely won't hurt!
