Dealing With an Aggressive Cat? 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 an aggressive cat. 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 an aggressive cat.
1. Cats Become Aggressive Because They’re in Pain
An aggressive cat might be responding to pain. Photography ©points | Thinkstock.
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. Ignore the warning signs and 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 terrified cat 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 dilate. 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
An aggressive cat may be responding to stress within your home. Photography ©Ornitolog82 | Thinkstock.
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.
The bottom line on handling an aggressive cat
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!
Tell us: 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.
Thumbnail: Photography by elwynn / Shutterstock.
About the author
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.
160 comments on “Dealing With an Aggressive Cat? 7 Reasons Why Cats Become Aggressive”
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I have two rescue cats, i found them at 2 weeks old. the mother took the shy one and brought him back and dropped him off at 4 weeks, but my black one i bottle fed for those weeks. they just turned one yr old and they are both boys that have been neutered.
i recently move to a new house and they traveled with me in the car for 5 days and we stayed at a family’s members house for a month or two and then got my own. i have always lived alone and the cats had the run of the house. (they dont go outside). i now live with my mother with dementia, and she has two small dogs and hates my black cat (the alfa, the other one is quite and shy) and i have caught her hitting him with a broom and squirting him with water and she threw a dust pan at him and hit him a few weeks ago. I have tried to keep them separated, but living in the same house it’s almost impossible all of the time.. my mom stops and tries to shoo him away with whatever is in her hand. and now he tries to scratch her everytime she walks by… This make everything worse and mom starts screaming… come get this devel cat!
he was the most loving cat and always laid by my face and in my lap. now he is climbing my legs to get up to me everytime i go in the kitchen. i finnaly put a stool in there to sit on while i work in there … so he can be closer to me without climbing up my legs… he keeps trying to get me to pet him while on the chair and reaching out to try to grab me as if to hold him and get close to my face… when i bend down to pet him he has started (the last three weeks)to swipe at my face… i say no and pull away and he goes right back to insisting to get close, reaching out at my arms to get closer, but when i do … i pet him he purrs and then gets close to my face and swipes again. i do not know what to do for him i will give him all the love he needs but he seems like he is turning mean and so insecure. he is upset and seems desperate to feel safe which i want and am willing to do… just not sure what to do with the obsession/aggression signals he is putting out. i have so many scratches on my legs, thighs, butt and arms that i have no more bandaids. i never do anything but say no in a low voice and just withdraw from him when he swipes at me to show him this is not how we behave. but when he comes back to me i try to love him, he seems so insecure. I love this cat and he is so affectionate, but i am afraid my mom being mean to him is warping his little personality. i can’t get rid of my mom and i wont lose my sweet cat. any ideas other than keeping the two cats locked up in my bedroom every day? He puts his face to mine to rub me, purrs and then after a couple of min he swats me.. i’m so confused!
any ideas on what to do???
Hi, I understand about the humans arguing. We had some difficult emotions with ourselves as we got our first cat. His first year poor baby we fought a lot. But he’s a trooper and did his best to love us both equally. His 2nd year with us all those difficult emotions in the family were finally resolved. Things are much more peaceful and loving. If we do need to fight we either text it or go outside where he cant hear us if our voices get loud. Our furbabies now realize they dont cause their humans to fight and therefore our kitties became little love bugs and no more hard nips or scratches from them. Happy ,responsible humans have furbabies who are happy and happy to be good! Dont forget to talk to your kitty in a positive tone such as good boy or good girl frequently. It’s as good as getting a good treat and they learn to not fear you.
hi, I had a similar encounter with my cat yesterday. How were you able to deal with this? I need help.
I took in a Young stray cat and got her spayed (she was in early stage of pregnancy). I have been keeping her in a separate room because I have 3 other cats. I go into the room several times a day to talk, pet, and interact with her. She seemed fine at and very affection, but now, anytime she thinks my face is too close, she hisses and swats at me. The only clue is she squints her eyes before she hisses. It’s only been a little over 24 hours since I brought her home. Do you think I need to be concerned?
My husbands cat recently started pooping all over the house . This has happened several times within the last month. He babies her and interacts well with her but he is a very angry man.He has become angrier and moodier lately . Might I add he does not have close relationships with people. Is she doing this because she is sensing his anger? She has been to the vet and she is absolutely very healthy. She also does not like people …just like her owner
My cat Lily was 2yrs old when I had her. She was shy and sweet when I had her but a year later I adopted Maisie – a cat who would have been homeless if I hadn’t. I did all the correct things, kept them apart at first, introduced them gradually but Lily disliked Maisie and would do things like sitting in doorways so she couldn’t go into other rooms, and attacking her when she was just walking past. Maisie has settled well despite being attacked and bullied but 6 years on, Lily is still full of hate. She attacks anyone who goes near to her. All I do is feed her and keep her tray clean for fear of her attacking me, she has even attacked my grandchildren and they are terrified of her
Her face is full of hatred and temper, but I love her and would love to be able to fuss her. Just don’t know what to do.
Our cat, Milo likes to scratch the furniture. Sometimes I feel it’s an attention game with him. Thoughts? Advice? Thx!
He is sharpening his claws. They’ll do it on curtains and carpet. My girl does it. She also claws at stuff when I leave her alone.. seperation anxiety. That is caused by when the mother doesn’t give them enough attention when they’re first born
My cat is the sweetest, most affectionate kitty in the worl 99.99999% percent of the time. But about every 6 months he just turns aggressive and we dont know why. It’s also for multiple days on end. He is fixed, has lots of toys, is not declawed, and is on hypo food due to allergies. I dont know why he just randomly does it
how do you deal with the aggression when it happens? My cat recently just started acting out… He’ll be one in a few days. He scratched me and even drew blood… and howls at me. I’m unsure of what to do and I don’t want to put him down. I love him too much. How do I handle his aggression?
You had me until you mentioned homeopathic remedies as a viable treatment.
Homeopathy has been debunked many, many times. It is a scam. If you know anything about science and/or critical thinking, one can figure this out.
BTW, except for that one thing, it’s a great article. Kudos. :)
When we adopted Emma she was three years old. The shelter did not know much of her history. The aggression started just a few days after we brought her home. We figured she had been abused in her first three years and probably beaten with a newspaper as she was afraid of newspapers. We think she was afraid of humans and had lost all trust in them.
We learned how to recognize when she wanted to be left alone and we left her alone at those times. We were patient, giving her pets and love when she would accept it. It took years but with patience and love she finally started trusting us and turned into a loving adorable cat that we loved and still love.
My cat had kittens like my other female. She had a hard time i helped her the whoe time. She would steal our othet females kitten, usually only one of them. She have one less than our other female. Ever since the kittens were old enough to be on regular food she’s been grumpy as we call it. She growls at the sight of another of our cats. She attacks if they get too close. It’s more annoying than anything. Any advice?
I had the same experience. I had heard that related cats will share kitten duties, but not with my mother and daughter pair. When the kittens were tiny they spent the whole time stealing each others kittens. I even had to rescue one when they were having a tug of war with it! It got worse when the kittens were older. One night the two mothers set up a noisy territorial catawalling. I rushed down stairs to find the mothers threatening each other while all the kittens were hiding! I had to keep them separate until I found new homes for the kittens, then peace was restored. I suppose I should not have been surprised, Cats are not social animals like dogs.
I have a three year old neutered Tabby who didn’t become aggressive until I took in a second cat. Now he has a strange routine. At 6 pm he starts hissing and growling and demanding to go out. He stays out all night coming in about 9-10 am. He eats and goes straight to my bed where he sleeps all day and is perfectly docile.He has bitten a few people who have tried to pick him up. I tried giving him prozac and CBD oil but he won’t take it.
My cat, over the last few months has started attacking my son at random!! My son will just be walking by and he’ll hiss and scratch him!! My son LOVES this cat, and he doesn’t do anything to him! I don’t know what to do! I can’t keep him if he’s going to scratch, his and spit and GROWL at my son, but my son doesn’t want me to try to rehome him. This cat is very much loved, but not to the detriment of my family! What can I do?
May be what you don’t know your son may have at some point in the past hurt her or him, so.cats don’t forget their trauma they may have suffered , sorry if this may sound that your son did something, but I know behind parents back children do often abuse pets, like pull their tail, kick them, or throw them etc, or even beat them with objects like sticks etc, cats don’t hiss at anyone unless they feel uncomfortable, especially strangers coming near them, but if they hiss towards regular visitors or member of your family, that is what it is and cats cannot talk so they can’t tell what happened when you were not there, only your son can tell. My apologies if I sound like accusing your son .
You don’t mention the age of your cat or how long you have had him. Forty-six years ago I got my first kitten. As he got older he started exhibiting behavior similar to what you describe. He would hide around corners and pounce on my legs. My boy friend (who became, and still is my husband) suggested that I get another cat. I thought he was crazy, but since he had grown up with cats I took his advice and we got another kitten. Lol and behold all the aggressive behavior transferred to the new cat. He had been treating me the way he would treat another cat. Once there was actually another cat in the house, he didn’t use me as his wrestling partner any more. I don’t know if this would work for you but it might be worth a shot. Just don’t go smothering new kitty with so much attention that you would make older kitty jealous.
My male cat who is 2 keeps running outside and yesterday he ran outside as I opened the door just for a second, he was in the street and I was about to pick him up when he suddenly attacked my hand and my leg.I am terrified. He won’t stay inside the house and would just run as soon as the door opens.He is always meowing very loudly. My parents think that he isn’t happy here with us and that we are being cruel by keeping him inside when all he wants to do is leave this house. I don’t know what to do? Should I just let him go? Or should I keep a female kitty in the house, may be that way he’ll be happy or not? Please reply.please!
Is your cat fixed?
If he neutered? If not, that’s the first thing you need to get done, so he’s not controlled by his hormones and wanting to go out looking for females.
How much attention does he get? Playing with him every day and before a meal time will greatly help to dissipate him energy. Use a wand toy he can chase. (Wand with a string and a “bird” at the end type of toy.) You WANT to make him tired. That will use up pent up energy and help lower his aggression also. Then feed him, and he’ll see the food as a reward. Don’t give up on him. And don’t just let him run around outside.
I would try what I’ve suggested before you make any attempt to introduce a second cat. That could backfire big time. He needs to feel totally comfortable in your home before you might bring in another animal, which could really upset the apple cart further.
Best wishes to you, and your cat.
Hi !
I’m really scared and concerned about my male cat who is 1. So this incident happened today when my cat came from my friend’s home who has a female cat. My cat came home after 4 days. When I took him inside he lied down on the floor and I started to pet him then I tried to pick him up but he won’t come so I tried again but he won’t come so then I just got up and was gonna go when I suddenly saw that my cat stood up, was staring right at my face and suddenly jumped at my leg and won’t stop! I somehow managed to ran away and came to my room, now I have bruises on my leg due to his nails, but he didn’t bite ! Now I’m not even going to him, I’m just here inside my room ! I’m really worried about my cat, I really love him and I hope there’s nothing wrong with him! Can you please tell me why is he doing that!?
Oh my god! Are you kidding me that is the same thing that happened with me! Like totally same!
Sorry for that I thought it was someone else’s comment
He also stood up and attacked my leg after I was trying to pick him up! And I thought that okay let’s leave him alone and then saw him looking right at my face and then he grabbed my leg.
Hi,
I need some advice to understand my kitten more, He’s 6 months now, very confident, sociable and very sweet. He loves meeting new people and will tend to go up to them straight away to cuddle people. He walks on a harness perfectly fine. Understands code words Like nom nom for feeding timers, walkies for going for a walk, he alway excited to go out for walks with his tail held high straight and pointing up.
We have trained him very well and it’s not been hard work. He also does not mind baths, very weird for a cat but it’s great weird.
Anywho, there is one thing he does that is out of character for us and that is when we take him to my sisters house he is fine but when the children comes in he lash out and is on edge. He even lashes out at me when I go near him while in her house. When the children are not there he is fine. Now my sister has a cat but he is timid and shy so stays away. My kitten will attempt to play but will stay away from her cat when he hisses at my kitten.
He fine in any other household with children and again as I said he loves meeting new people including children, however just not my sister two young once’s why might this be?
Hi Ryan,
Sorry to hear that you’re dealing with this! This sounds like a specific incident that might benefit from the individualized attention of a behaviorist.
Sometimes kittens don’t like certain kids, if they like kids at all!! They can be (the kids) way too hyper for a kitten. Also your cat may not like the way they handle him. You’re not always around to see how they treat it. I’d say don’t take your cat there anymore. They’re not like dogs, and they aren’t always social. So I’d say if your cat is uncomfortable there stop taking it there.
I’m guessing that at some point, unbeknownst to you or your sister, one or more of her children did something to the cat that either hurt or scared him. Maybe not deliberately, but kids often don’t know how to deal with cats, in particular. And cats can have long memories about such stuff.
Not unusual that your cat and your sisters would have some “issues” together. Cats are territorial, and their different personalities also feed into how they deal with that. I hate to say it, but I would suggest you probably should leave your cat at home when you visit your sister and her kids )and their cat), if at all possible.
How about NOT taking your cat to your sister’s house! It’s a CAT, NOT a DOG! SMDH
My Male cat just started attacking me and I dont know why
Hi Phil,
We are so sorry to hear this! This article might provide some additional insight: https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-to-detect-and-prevent-a-cat-attack
My grandson cat, Theo, has come back to live with me. He used to live with my daughter. He has always been an indoor cat. I have a screened back porch that he would love sitting out on all day! I also have dog that Theo grew up with. I started letting him out on a leash and harness. He loved it. He now goes in/out the doggie door and absolutely loves it. Just recently after my daughter came to visit, Theo ran and hid from her. Then he has been very aggressive at night towards the dog and us. Now for the past couple of weeks he has been consistently aggressive just about every night. We thought maybe he is/was mad at my daughter and acting out. Maybe it is because he has been going outside. Any insight? I think I remember that he has had several “”bouts”” of aggression, even before coming back to stay with me. He also has a constant stuffy nose and sinus trouble. Could that have anything to do with aggression?
I have a female, formerly feral cat who has become aggressive toward the other cats in the house, but more affectionate with me. When I first rescued her, she preferred the company of cats and avoided me, except at feeding time. Now, she’s done a complete 180 – follows me around the house, sits on my lap and swats at the other cats, including her kitten (I rescued both before winter set in.) I think she was the queen of her feral colony, so is she trying to re-establish her place as head of the tribe now?
I have a 8 year old female non-spayed cat and a 8 year old (soon to be 9) year old spayed dog(shepherd/pointer/pit). Both have been living together, sleeping together, playing for several year now. A few days a go I came back from walking the dog and while my dog was drinking her water, my cat jumped at her with all four sets of claws out and attacked her. My dog was afraid so she backed away but the cat came chasing after her, hissing and swatting. I stepped between them and my cat tore my arm up, bit and scratched my legs and feet.
My cat now stalks and antagonizes my dog. My dog is starting to be afraid to walk around the house. I notice when she comes home after I walk her she starts to shake before we get in the door and she won’t go near the room the cat is in, even with the door closed. I have them currently separated as much as possible. HELP?!
hi,
My cat Lilly is two years old, she has become very aggressive. Every morning and night she will pounce on me and my partner and will not let us walk around without her attacking us, she makes a crying sound while doing this. she is fine during the day and i’m unsure what im spouse to do as it’s getting out of hand i have sctraches all over my arm and i can not walk around my house during these times incase she attacks. We have moved houses 4 times due to building and renting but she has always been in these moods but it has gotten ALOT worse. What do i do?
Have you played with her in the past with only your hands or not using any toys? It sounds like she has a lot of pent up energy and for some reason thinks you and your bf are the toys! Kitties need their people to play with them hopefully at least 15-20 mins a day, but for sure use some sort of toy. My kitty loves a simple short black satin string. I pull it around for him on the hardwood or linoleum floors and it wears him out fast! It’s funny as heck too! He also loves the toy that is simply a golf ball sized ball in a circular track. I’ve yet to have a cat that didn’t love both of those things, oh and maybe a paper bag open on the floor!
My cat who is 14 years old always was a very loving cat and about a year ago she had te go on a diet because she’s overweight. She is now very aggressive and randomly attacks me. Could this be because of the diet? And should i take her of it.
Hi there,
We’re sorry to hear you’re experiencing this. We suggest asking a vet for the best advice when it comes to cat diets.
Hi!
I moved in with my bf, he has a cat & I have a cat. Both are female, 2-2.5 years old and fixed. They were separated for 2 days, one in living room and one in bedroom. They have separate cat litter and food. I wipe their scents onto each other. Then they were introduced to each other in 2 separate carriers. I’ve also brushed them with the same brush and tried to mix the scents, but my cat growls & hiss at the brushes too. They were introduced to each other on 4th day, with toys and snacks for distractions. They didn’t fight, only hissed at each other. Over the last week, his cat has calmed down, no more growling or hissing or charging at my cat. However, my cat is still making growling, hissing and loud screaming. They had been eating in each other’s bowl and using each other’s litter box even thought it’s at different places. My cat stays in the room while we’re asleep. And it seems like she acts territorial with the bed or me? And growls extremely loud when his cat try to come into bedroom. They do this like 5-6 times throughout the night. The way his cat meows, sounds more familiar now. But my cat is still growling reallllllly loud. Any suggestions? Thank you in advanced!
Hi there,
We suggest asking your vet for the most specific suggestions for your situation. These articles might help provide some insight as well:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-hissing-why-do-cats-hiss
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-growling-why-does-your-cat-growl-how-should-you-react
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-to-stop-a-cat-fight
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-training-introducing-new-cats-tips
https://www.catster.com/kittens/introducing-kittens-to-your-other-resident-cats
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-meowing-at-night
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-screaming-what-it-sounds-like-what-it-means
Can I suggest not mixing their scents? I know it’s best to have a ‘personal’ litter box for each kitty and that they should be in different places in the house (preferably) it could be that they feel they have to share everything with the other when they really dont even know each other yet. Then there’s always the possibility (like people) that they just dont like each other. It definitely happens. Good luck!
Our 9 yo, female (not spayed) cat, has suddenly become aggressive to the other 3 neutered male cats. Her belly looks like she’s pregnant, but she is a strictly indoor cat making this IMPOSSIBLE. We have had her and her siblings since birth, they all cohabitated, without any problems, to this point. Now she goes on the attack on the male cats and it scares them and us. Should we take her to the Vet?
Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out! Here is an article you might find helpful on cat attacks and how to prevent them:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-to-detect-and-prevent-a-cat-attack
We suggest contacting your vet for advice if this behavior continues or gets worse.
I have a cat, now almost 3y/o, rescued from the street, nursed to health. She always had a weird behavior. Doesn’t meow often and showed very little affection but would sleep next to myself and spouse in bed, or my son. Would also sleep on the foot rest of our recliners and would allow us to hold her occasionally. All of a sudden she is aggressive, hissing, slapping, growling and screaming whhen we get close. She is so aggressive currently for a few weeks and I cannot catch her to take her to the vet..no idea what to do.
Hi there,
Thanks for commenting! This article provides insight on how to get your cat to the vet even if she hates it:
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/how-to-get-your-cat-to-the-vet
Additionally, here is a post that talks about weird cat behaviors:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/weird-cat-behaviors
A year ago I lifted a kitten lying near the garbage bin. She has now grown and given two kittens who are two months old. I guess she is now again a month pregnant. My cat has all of a sudden started behaving rudely to her kittens. Few days back she couldn’t live without then would cry if they are not around, calling them, searching them. But now all of a sudden a different behaviour. Can you help me out with the reason for this kind of a behaviour. She isn’t allowing anyone next to her. I tried checking if any wounds on her body but everything seems fine.
Take her to the vet. Consider getting her fixed , perhaps she’s had rough of being P.G. Also encourage people to adopt kittens rather than breed because to many are homeless. You sound like a good fur baby mom.
Hi Belina,
Thanks for reaching out! You might find this article helpful on cat’s personal space:
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-health-care-behavior-multicat-home-personal-space
My cat is docile and can usually be picked up and cradled like a baby. Over the last two days, he has reacted in a ‘spooked’ way when my husband picks him up and literally jumps out of my husband’s arms. He has badly scratched my husband in the process of trying to get away. My cat doesn’t react this way with me at all. He follows me around and loves to be held and fussed on. He was a stray before we adopted him, so we don’t really know his history past that. My cat is 4 1/2 years old and other than going away for a couple of nights a week, my husband is usually home with him. I don’t know why this behaviour has started. Any advice?
Hi there Monica,
Thanks for reaching out! Here is an article that talks about what cats are scared of and how to help overcome their fears:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/what-are-cats-scared-of-top-things-cats-are-scared-of-and-how-to-help
You might also find this article helpful on healing cat scratches:
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/home-remedies-cat-scratch-health-tips
Thank you Michaela!
Hi , my cat is 10 months old , i rescued him from someone that wanted to give him away on facebook.. we love him despite him being feral at times. we buy him toys play with him and feed him everyday he recently learnt to jump our gate and run down the stairs we live on a main highway and the back is the bay (bushes) and water where people walk their dogs every day , so twice now he has run away ” roamed ” the first time we found him in the downstairs neighbours yard where there was a cat he was screaming my daughter grabbed him but he puffed up in a ball ( around his neck) something was wrong got him inside and he violently attacked my daughter we never seen him act like this before.So today he roamed again pushed the window open and got out down to the bay this time , was missing for a near hour but we found him, got him home again and this time attacked my partner and nearly me what do i do , does he hate us ? what should i do ,
Hi there Stacey,
Thanks for commenting and we are sorry to hear this is happening with your cat. Here is an articles that gives tips on preventing your cat from escaping your home:
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/ways-to-keep-your-cat-from-escaping-outside-this-summer
This articles provides more information on cat attacks and how to prevent them:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-to-detect-and-prevent-a-cat-attack
I adopted my (2 y/o neutered) cat about 6 months ago. She was energetic and felt at home quickly. Then, I let her out in my backyard and have continued doing so for a few months. Now that it’s raining season, I have tried to keep her inside and she tries to escape every chance she gets. She’s also aggressive towards the neighbour’s pets. What are the things I can do to curb her wild behaviour?
Hi there Sean,
Thanks for reaching out! This article provides more information on what to do to help keep your cat from escaping:
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/ways-to-keep-your-cat-from-escaping-outside-this-summer
My cat is very attched to me. There was point where be does not allow me to put him down. He wants me to carry him. Once i put him down he gets angry and wanted to attack me. 1 mth prior to that he attaccked me bcos he can sence pregnant cat was at the door outside. He got angry and attacked me viciously. What can i do? Now i put him in a small room by himself. Lure him into a carrier to lock him up before i clean up his room n litters and give him food and water. Please advice…i miss touching and hugging him.
Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out! Here is an article for more information on cat attacks and how to prevent them:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-to-detect-and-prevent-a-cat-attack
I’ve had a cat since he was 8 weeks old..he is neutered and 12 yrs old..inside cat all his life..apparently always docile and allowed me to pet him even on his stomach..out of the blue, without provocation and while letting his stomach, he turns on me and bites my arm hard..I’m concerned and shocked at his reaction..he is healthy and with no medical issues..I appreciate your opinion..thanks..!
Hi there Jossie,
Thanks for reaching out! Here is an article that talks about how to detect and prevent cat attacks:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-to-detect-and-prevent-a-cat-attack
This article provides more information on cat biting:
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/5-ways-stop-cat-biting-behavior-training
The day she was spayed, my feamale cat attacked me really bad, and I yelled and ran and she kept scratching me and biting me until I got out of the house. Then one or two weeks after, my cousin scared me and I must have yelled the same way, that the cat attacked my cousin, I don’t know if she was coming for me but I ran and she got my cousin the same way she attacked me. Now three months after being spayed we brought her to another country, also she might have gotten nervous because of a sound or the amount of people in the house and she came to attack and since I cannot react another way I just started yelling and running again and she kept following me and then kept acting really aggressive. Does any of these things are linked or could anyone help?
Hi there Camila,
Thanks for reaching out! You might find this article helpful on how to detect and prevent a cat attack:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/how-to-detect-and-prevent-a-cat-attack
I have 2 female cats(sisters). They’re 6 years old and lately are growling and hissing at each other. And now are urinating and pooping outside the litter box. I had the one checked by the vet and she’s fine. He said it was behavioral. I use that feliway and nothing helps. Any suggestions?
Hi there Rita,
Thanks for reaching out! Here are some articles for more information on cat hissing and growling:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-growling-why-does-your-cat-growl-how-should-you-react
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-hissing-why-do-cats-hiss
Below are articles with more information on litter box issues and what to do about them:
https://www.catster.com/cat-health-care/cat-not-using-the-litter-box
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/6-common-litter-box-no-nos
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/think-inside-the-box-promote-good-litter-box-habits
I left to go interstate with my family 5 yrs ago & couldnt take my cat with me as we were staying with friends for a short period of time & didnt have a home.
My female cat was very close to me,always slept close and never went to anyone else.
I did eventually find somewhere but when I returned to get her,she didnt want a barr of me and she was extremely aggressive.
She flicks her tail at me when im not near her and runs away.
I have not been able to take her back home with me.
I visit my parents and its always the same.
I have had “moments” where shell purr and let me touch her,but mostly she “hates me”..
What can I do?
She was such a beautiful cat..
She not only does it to me,she does it my mum and sometimes when shes lying near my dad and hes gone to touch het shes bitten him!
Has she been injured or is this all anxiety for me leaving her?
I did live here for 6 mths but nothing changed..
Hi there Lyndsey,
Thanks for reaching out! Here are some articles with more information on cat tail language:
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-tail-language-what-your-cats-tail-is-telling-you
https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-tail-wagging-the-meaning-of-different-cat-tail-wags
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-facts-body-language-tail
Here is an article that provides more information on why cats bite:
https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/how-to-prevent-cat-petting-induced-aggression-behavior
We suggest taking your cat to the vet to make sure there is no underlying problem.
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