how to deal with an aggressive cat

The lowest-ranking cat—often an older or infirm kitty—can become a target that's bullied by the other felines. When entering the room with an aggressive cat, avoid eye contact and make sure the cat has have a clear escape route. ", "I now know why my cat was being so aggressive. Don’t resume playing until your cat is calm if it bites or scratches you. What’s a … Cats also love to watch birds, squirrels and other small animals. % of people told us that this article helped them. When your cats are aggressive toward one another, it's likely that a fight will break out at some point. You can also give your cat several small meals a day to help manage predatory aggression, and reward your cat with food or treats for non-aggressive behavior. What is Play Aggression? Felines reach social maturity at 2 to 4 years of age, and that's when many first, A lack of space predisposes cats to territorial disputes. Territorial aggression is usually just among cats, but can be expressed toward humans and other animals. To learn from our Veterinary reviewer how to deal with maternal cat aggression, keep reading! Create at least one feeding station and one litter box location per cat. Treat the aggressive cats as though introducing them for the first time. If so, you might worry about her safety, as potentially aggressive cats may roam your neighborhood. Stick with it, but also realize that some cats may never get along. Dealing with Aggressive Cats. Thanks. Go back to the basics. Wait until it trusts you to pet it. There is a cat that keeps terrorising my cat. Dealing with a bad “cat-itude” Every pet sitter has been—or will be—confronted with a hissing, growling irate feline. A cat is capable of causing both permanent and life-threatening injuries. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If you have more than one cat living under your roof, you may be familiar with catfights, technically known as inter-cat aggression. If they get along, they can usually learn to tolerate or avoid each other as well. Territorial aggression can also happen after a move because the cat now has to establish a new territory. We are now in the UK. If you're old enough and living on your own, or if your parents don't mind, you could get a humane trap. And some may act mean toward other cats in the house or the neighbors’ cats. ", "You guys are really great. Diffusers are more effective than sprays. Cats, especially ones that are feral, see … Knowing how to deal with this behavior and working with your pet will allow you and your cat to … Biting & Aggressive Behavior in Cats Cat bites and scratches are painful and possibly prone to infection. You can also use cat videos. However, we found her caught up in a fishing net. Environmental changes, such as moving or rearranging cat furniture or feeding and litter box stations, can cause fights. However, you should be extremely cautious about placing her in a new home; you don't want to pass your problem on to someone else. Just like humans, cats have different forms and occasions for aggression. The cat is aggressive to the point of attacking other cats. We can help you understand the reasons behind aggressive behavior and how to stop it. But how can you avoid mealtime triggers? Expose to aggression-causing stimuli at a safe distance, for short periods of time, then reward with food for non-aggressive behavior. ", "Rewarding good behavior and physically ignoring poor behavior. Fear Can Cause Cat Aggression. If a health issue is not the cause, your vet may recommend a behaviourist. Cat-on-cat fights are usually the result of redirected aggression, play aggression, or fear aggression: If your home is the site of frequent catfights, it's important that you do your best to stop it; not only for your cats' health but also for your own well-being. Certain medications may control the aggressive behavior in the bully cat while decreasing defensive posturing and vocalizing of the threatened cat. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. They may bite repeatedly and remain in an aroused state for long periods of time. Feline aggression—from hissing and growling to swatting, scratching, and biting—can be scary for pet owners, but it's usually normal cat behavior. Redirected aggression. The most common is undersocializationa lack of pleasant experiences with other cats early in life. Play aggression happens when cats take play too far. Whatever you do, do not rush or crowd your cat. However, if your cat has a tendency to become aggressive due to stress or nerves when faced with unknown situations, try to introduce him to things gradually. Remember to give the stray treats when he exhibits good behavior, and consider going to a vet to get him fixed; that alone could cut down on a lot of the aggression. Back away from the cat slowly and then move its bed and toys to a quiet area in the home. It is all about what you do and don't understand. References At Germantown Vet, we have years of experience dealing with all types of cats—from pokey and playful to irritable and aggressive. Your vet can check your cat's health and rule out any health-related causes. Do not use toys that teach your cat to play with your hands, such as gloves with balls hanging from the fingers. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Properly-Deal-With-an-Aggressive-Cat-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Properly-Deal-With-an-Aggressive-Cat-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/03\/Properly-Deal-With-an-Aggressive-Cat-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid701784-v4-728px-Properly-Deal-With-an-Aggressive-Cat-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"