7 Reasons Why Cats Become Aggressive
Even the most experienced cat caretakers can find themselves charged up on adrenalin when having to face a cat in the midst of a fit of aggression. But encountering a hissing, growling, screaming, and possibly even scratching and biting cat can strike terror into the hearts of people who don’t know how to handle a feline freakout. I suspect this is at least in part what happened in the tragic situation of Lux the cat, whose owners felt the need to barricade themselves in a bedroom and call 911 when Lux lost it after a series of traumatizing events. But cats don’t just suddenly go crazy: There are almost always warning signs and there’s almost always a good reason for cat aggression. Here are seven reasons why cats become aggressive and how to handle them.
1. Cats Become Aggressive Because They’re in Pain
Cats who are in pain will respond with hisses and swats when sensitive areas are touched. My cat, Siouxsie, does this if I accidentally put pressure on her sore hips. A hard yank on the tail, for example, can be quite painful. If the warning signs are ignored, a scratch and possibly even a bite may follow. This is especially true if the pain is a result of physical abuse such as being kicked or hit.
2. Fear Can Cause Cat Aggression
A cat that is terrified will respond with body language that’s obvious to an experienced cat caretaker: She will turn sideways and puff up her tail and fur in order to look larger. Her ears will flatten backwards, she will hiss and her pupils will be dilated. Attempting to approach a cat in this state is risking an aggressive reaction, not because the cat dislikes you but because she’s in the middle of a panic reaction.
3. Hormones May Cause a Cat to Become Aggressive
A cat who is not spayed or neutered is much more likely to be aggressive. Male cats in particular are biologically wired to fight with other male cats when females in heat are present. If you see two cats fighting, do not physically intervene because you will almost certainly become the target of the cats’ aggression.
4. Cats Can Get Aggressive Due to Frustration
“Redirected aggression” is the term for violent acts carried out by cats because they can’t reach the object of their predatory passion. For example, an indoor cat who sees another cat walking by or marking his territory in “his” turf may get into a highly reactive state. At that point, anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby, whether that’s another cat, a dog, or a person, may end up on the receiving end of the cat’s aggression.
5. Cat Aggression Happens Due to Stress
If a cat lives in a highly stressful environment — for example, a home in which people are fighting or a home with too many cats — it’s quite possible for that cat to be quick to respond aggressively. Like children who live in homes with a lot of verbal and physical violence, or a lot of unspoken anger, cats often act out the dynamics of their human families.
6. An Aggressive Cat Might Be Responding to Trauma
Don’t laugh: Cats can suffer from post-traumatic stress. Their brains are wired similarly to ours, and the effects of chronic anxiety from past human violence or struggling to survive on the streets can lead cats to become aggressive. In order to resolve this issue, a short course of anti-anxiety medication (prescribed by a vet, of course; don’t give your cat your antidepressants, please), homeopathic remedies or flower essences can help make a cat less reactive to triggers.
7. Chemical Imbalances Can Cause Cat Aggression
This is by far the rarest reason for cats to become aggressive. But like humans, some cats simply have biochemical imbalances that affect behavior. For these cats, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can be a lifesaver.
No matter what the cause of the aggression, there are almost always warning signs. If you understand feline body language, you’ll be able to see that your furry friend is getting wound up before the situation escalates to a crisis point. If you have a highly reactive cat and you want to help him or her, be aware that it will take time and patience — but take it from a person who has rehabilitated traumatized cats: The reward is so worth the effort!
How about you? Have you had an aggressive cat? Were you able to help your kitty feel better and become less reactive? What did you do to help her? Have you ever been unable to help an aggressive cat? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Read more about why cats become aggressive on Catster.com:
- All About Cat Hissing — Why Do Cats Hiss?
- Do You Have an Aggressive Cat — or Just a Brat?!
- Feline Non-Recognition Aggression: 4 Tips for Reintroducing Your Cats After One Returns From the Vet
About JaneA Kelley: Punk-rock cat mom, science nerd, animal shelter volunteer and all-around geek with a passion for bad puns, intelligent conversation, and role-play adventure games. She gratefully and gracefully accepts her status as chief cat slave for her family of feline bloggers, who have been writing their award-winning cat advice blog, Paws and Effect, since 2003.
9 comments on “7 Reasons Why Cats Become Aggressive”
My 5year old male neutered cat has an occasioal aggression problem. He is usually very loving, sits in my lap and follows me around. He lets me kiss him and will turn his head up for me to do so. ( Sorry people, yes, I’m a cat kisser)! But, once in a while, he gets that look in his eye, stares at me intensly and then strikes out, biting me on the arm or leg. He does this so fast that you can’t really see him. He bites, releases and sits back as if to say, “there, I showed you”. He draws blood and leaves a tiny three cornered bite.
I wish I knew why he does this and what I can do about it. I also have an older female whom he sometimes chases. They tolerate each other, usually.
Catster, Catster, Catster, what are we going to do with you. You forgot one very important potential reason. She could be hungry. It is so sad and pathetic we humans dictate to these beautiful creatures when WE think THEY should eat, we dictate the times to THEM, and specifically, put the absolute horrifying stuff of nightmare legend crud garbage known and sold as commercial waste, I mean cat “food” in their faces, yet many wonder why they walk away, get agitated, don’t behave “properly”, get sick, and receive their untimely, wholly, and grossly hurrendous early euthanasia. AAFCO needs to get their head out their ass, step their game up, and look up to the standards set forth in Europe, where they have literally eliminated Feline Cancer, if they even give about quality control and allowable ingredients, they could take credit for reducing and removing kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, and all these other unthinkable diseases and early untimely deaths we are literally feeding my babies. But not me, I’m ahead of the curve. Omega 3 Icelandic wild caught fish oil, free range meats, quality dried, and water, water, water. Cats like to eat relatively frequently throughout the course of a single day. My 17 year old probably likes to have roughly 10 stomach fill ups in a day, in between her roughly 10 naps, and among her roughly 10 visits to either of her 2 running water fountains. I feed her real actual meat and protein frequently, NEVER E.V.E.R. complete crud garbage like Friskies, and almost never Fancy Feast, I go with Soulistic wet canned, Orijen dried, real catnip in the garden, ice in her water, and for being the oldest cat in the neighborhood, she’ll probably outlast them all too. My ideology, more food, more nutrients, more beneficial digestion, enzymes, greater immunity, more tools for her body to work with to fight disease and aging, and increasing her physical and cognitive ability. Doesn’t hurt she has two pet steps, and her own cozy getaway in the form of a tent on a couch. You may refer to me as The Egyptian. Thanks for reading.
So nice to hear someone so tuned into kitty. My boy is also on special diet, always has clean water. One cat and spoiled rotten, but does not get store food.
Your older cat, who had the surgery, maybe she is having pain still? If she is in pain she might feel vulnerable. I agree with the others who say get another vet! Then look into the pain issue.
Good luck, I hope your girls can be friends again.
I am having a hard time posting this for some reason.I think the aggressor feels very vulnerable.Seperate high perches might help.I have played with my seven all at the same time with a laser and they forgot about the aggression and even the shy one got involved,also rewarded them with treats.I agree about a new vet also.He may still be hurting.He needs reassurance and you should see if something else hurts.
just a shot here but maybe tuna oil on the non aggressor?keep them separated but initially offer some tuna to both within eyesight of each other.put tuna oil on the non aggressor often enough for the aggressive cat to smell it and associate the non aggressor with that scent.you don’t have to actually feed them some tuna every time you just want to make a pleasant association.Give the aggressor alot of space from the other cat.Sounds like he feels vulnerable.Maybe separate high perches.The aggressor needs alot of reassurance and patience.Even playing with them together can distract from the insecurity with a laser pointer or something that involves you all and then reward with treats.That helped us.Good luck.
Get yourself a new vet!!!
I have 2 spayed females, 6 & 7 who were best friends until the 7 yr old had surgery for bladder stones in April. She will attack my 6 yr old at every opportunity. The 6 yr old has ptsd! I have to keep them separated now. We tried pheromones & an antidepressant, but nothing helped. Now I have them eating in sight of each other separated by the babygate. Would love more info. My vet said to put her down but I can’t. Thanks
Run don’t walk to a different vet. Any professional who would say that cannot be trusted with your fur babies’ care. With that said, I feel your pain and hope your girls work it out.