Aggressive Cat Behavior: The Reasons And The Solutions

Nothing spoils your expectations of a happy relationship with a cuddly kitty than the problem of aggressive cat behavior. A cat scratch or bite can be more than just painful at the time. Cats have a considerable amount of bacteria on their claws and especially in their mouths and these injuries can easily become infected.

But there’s no need to be overly worried about the problem of aggressive cat behavior when you can do something about it. Beginning from the time a new cat or kitten enters your home, aggressive behavior extending beyond the boundaries of simple play should be discouraged.

Kittens will naturally exhibit some degree of aggressive behavior since it is instinct for them to stalk and capture prey. However, it’s important for the new pet owner to teach the kitty appropriate behavior. The kitten needs strict limits for his behavior and substitutes he can use to vent his aggression. Your first thought may be “How cute!” when your kitten viciously attacks you with little bites and claws. At this point you have to think of the future and tell your kitty a forceful “No!” What is cute now won’t be so cute when kitty has grown to adulthood.

Always have cat friendly toys and furniture available for your four legged friends. These provide safe outlets for aggressive play and healthy scratching and stretching. Stand firm and be clear that biting and clawing people is unacceptable. Use kind words and occasional treats to help reinforce every positive behavior you see, but don’t use violence to punish your cat. This will devastate your relationship, and often makes the cat more aggressive.

A cat that is ill or stressed out is unable to tell you in words, so he may display aggressive behavior to get your attention. If you pet begins showing aggression you haven’t seen before, be sure to take him to the vet immediately to have it checked out. A pet can become stressed by such things as changes in your household or his diet, loud noises, or having a new pet invading his territory. If you can, introduce your kitty to changes gradually in order to reduce his stress. Lower stress levels should result in less aggressive behavior.

It is possible that aggressive cat behavior is partially related to what a cat eats, and this should be discussed with a qualified veterinarian. In older cats, obesity may play a role in joint pain, so dieting could improve both the mood and the health of your cat. Once again, involving your veterinarian is important, since dieting too quickly can be harmful and even cause your cat to die.

Make sure that you pay attention to the body language of your cat. An over-stimulated feline can quickly turn and show aggressive behavior, just like when a cat goes from purring to biting in the flash of an eye. Danger signs include a flicking tail, an arched back, and pulling back of the ears, which should warn you to back away from the cat. Starting behavioral training early in a cat’s life and reinforcing good behavior will pay dividends for years and years by teaching the cat good habits at an early age.

Aggressive cat behavior can make for an uncomfortable home. Both owner and cat need to know their boundaries. Owners need to set the limit for a cat or kitten’s behavior as soon as it enters the home to avoid bad habits. On the other end of the spectrum, the owner also has to pay special attention to the feline for signs of distress or annoyance. A cats health can cause aggressive behavior, so a vet appointment might be in order. Letting a cat scratch at their own scratching post or the like will give them a set place to do what comes natural without getting upset.

- Paul Proctor