Some cats are feistier than others, and specific situations can make even a sweet marshmallow of a cat act aggressively. As cat lovers, our responsibilities are to recognize signs of aggression early before anyone is hurt.
#1 Read the Cat
“Management strategies should include learning to recognize signs of arousal in cats so that you know when it is safe or unsafe to approach,” says Pamela J. Perry, DVM, PhD, board-certified veterinary behaviorist at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “In general, cats prefer to avoid confrontations rather than fight. However, when avoidance isn’t possible or fails, then cats may resort to using aggression.”
Common signs of aggression are:
Hissing
Growling
Swatting
Scratching
Biting
Cats may behave aggressively out of fear or to initiate a confrontation. A cat will show subtle differences in her posture and behavior based on why she is acting out. “Fearful cats often crouch, tuck their tail, and flatten their ears, whereas a confident or offensive cat has an upright body posture with ears turned slightly to the side or forward and tail out from the body,” says Dr. Perry.
#2 Move Away
“When a cat is highly aroused, it is best not to engage with him but to keep a safe distance until he returns to his normal, calm state,” says Dr. Perry. Even if the cat’s aggression is not directed at you, a cat who is that worked up is unpredictable and dangerous. “This may entail calmly leaving the room and closing the door or using a physical barrier to block the cat’s view of his target.”
If your cat is acting aggressively toward another cat, an animal, or a child, increase distance between the upset cat and the target. Remain calm and move with smooth, fluid movements. Avoid making eye contact with the angry cat. You can use cardboard, a pillow, or a similar item to create a barrier between the upset cat and her target, then get the target out of there. Increasing distance between a cat who is acting aggressively and her target helps in several ways. First, it reduces the risk of injury. Second, it reduces pressure. Third, it gives the cat a chance to calm down.
#3 Identify Triggers
“All triggers for the aggressive behavior should be identified and avoided as much as possible,” says Dr. Perry. “For example, using opaque window film can block a cat’s view of outdoor cats who can trigger redirected aggression. If a cat is aggressive when handled, then limit handling or petting to prevent unnecessary confrontations.”
Consider the situation and what events led to your cat behaving aggressively. This will allow you to figure out why your cat got so upset, and then come up with a plan to prevent it from happening again.
#4 Be Proactive
If your cat acted aggressively because of how a human treated her, it’s time for a chat with that person to encourage them to respect the cat’s quirks and preferences.
For inter-cat aggression, consider how you manage your cats’ environment. “In multi-cat homes, owners should provide separate but equal key resources for all cats so that they can access those resources without needing to confront each other,” says Dr. Perry. Cats sometimes bully each other by preventing access to a litterbox, food bowl, preferred perch, or other resource, which quickly leads to fights and trouble.
“If owners are willing, they also can use positive reinforcement to train their cats to go to a mat or certain area on cue, which can be useful for redirecting the cat and defusing a situation,” says Dr. Perry.
