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.
166 comments on “Dealing With an Aggressive Cat? 7 Reasons Why Cats Become Aggressive”
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I have two female cats and they’ve been together for many years but all of a sudden my older cat Bella he is being aggressive towards the younger cat I have PB is her name and aggressive to me histon pack me one time I was trying to calm her I don’t know what to do so I took her to the vet to vet gets her anti-depressants I would like for her to be drugged up but I don’t know what to do it’s sad I missed and sometimes the older cat chewed sweet as can be but there’s times that she’s just like evil what should I do PeaceHealth
Hi
We have a 2 years old regdoll. She is very friendly and kind with children.
She gave birth a month ago. We never had any issues with her till today. So the problem is my 4 years old live her and play all the time with her.
Today my 4 years old was watching TV while the cat was sleeping, he screamed and the cat got very aggressive and attacked him badly. Thanks God I wasn’t far to run and help my son. I took my son upstairs because he was scared and bleeding. So after one hour I can downstairs with my son and the cat ran again to attack my son. But because I was there I kicked the cat out of the room.
I really can’t understand her behaviour how can she be suddenly so aggressive. We love her and for us she is part of our family. Do you think she will attack again? I am very worried about the situation. My son is very scared of her. I am trying to put them in different rooms. And see if the cat is going to be normal otherwise I don’t have Any other options then giving her away, I love her but my son before everything. The other thing that bothers me is about may be she attacks again.
suggestions please. Can anyone help me to understand this change in her behaviour?
What should I do?
Thanks
We have 2 cats that are 3 years old and we rescued a kitten things went pretty well. They are all females and all have been spayed. One cat will sleep with the kitten all is fine the other wants nothing to do with her. Times has moved the Kitten is now 1 1/2 years old. The cat that wanted nothing to do with her is now attacking her all the time. She will sit or lay down in an area so the little one can not go to that area without being attacked. The older cat will stare at the young one so that she slinks about the house hoping not to be caught. It is getting hard on us. The young one hissing back at the old one and screaming when she get it by the old cat. We do not know what to do!!!
I don’t know what to do. My husband threw out our second oldest cat, Casper last night. He’s always behaved aggressively when other cats stray onto his territory and has attacked me when I’ve tried to intervene. Two years ago I found a five day old kitten and raised it. Bilbo is a sweet and gentle animal. I intended getting him adopted because we already had three cats and we lived overseas. However, the African country we found Bilbo in has many strays and no one wanted to adopt him. In addition, another kitten needed a home so I took in her. When Bilbo neared two years old a few months ago, Casper suddenly found him a threat and started attacking him. Bilbo is terrified now. We were evacuated back to the US about six weeks ago and the attacks have increased. I woke one morning hearing Bilbo growling by my head. As I lifted my head, Casper leapt up and bit my ear. However, Casper squeezes his eyes closed when I look at him, so I know he doesn’t really mean ME harm. Last night, Casper attacked Bilbo again, my husband got into a rage and terrified Casper. He chased him all over the house, searching him out when he hid. Eventually, at midnight, he opened the door and Casper ran outside. He hasn’t come back- no surprise- but I put out food. When he saw the food, my husband took it back in saying Casper wasn’t coming back. He says he’s not going to allow Bilbo to be terrified all the time. I don’t know what to do. All Casper wants is to be an only cat. He snuggles up on our bed. I’m so upset with the whole thing. Advice please?
Sounds like cats are in a constant state of fear. You may want to rehome both. Your husband is abusive. The cats are being victimized (and maybe you too). Cats have no control or defense. You do.
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