When cats become agressive and fight, keep your distance.
“Mommy! The cat just bit me! And all I was doing was petting her. I wasn’t hurting her, honestly. Mommy, she scratched me.” Cat aggression is not an uncommon problem, and can be displayed by both adults and kittens. This is why all caring pet owners should know how to handle any aggression their cat might display, especially if there are children in the home. This problem needs to be resolved quickly before the behavior becomes ingrained and an adult cat seriously hurts a child or even an adult.
An alpha cat (the ‘number one’ cat in the group) demands to be given extra or special attention. These alpha cats like to use aggression to gain rewards for themselves instead of any other cats in the house or territory. They can turn hostile over food, space, toys, and definitely any attention another cat (or even person) in the family might be getting.
Even a trained house cat can become aggressive as a way to stop something they believe to be unpleasant. An alpha cat could ‘ask’ to be petted by rubbing your legs, sitting on your armchair or lap and then suddenly start to scratch or bite you because it wants you to stop what you were doing. This aggression or tendency is often called ‘petting-induced behavior’ and is widespread in cats that might not have received much petting or physical affection, or who may have been mistreated by a previous owner. This is a method of showing who is in control of any situation.
It is imperative that any aggressive behavior that your domestic cat shows is dealt with immediately and in a firm way. If a cat bites or scratches you when it is sitting on your lap being stroked or petted, you should show your displeasure by immediately putting it on the ground and telling it ‘no’ in a disapproving voice and not allowing it back on your lap for a couple of hours. When you do allow it back up again, make sure that your cat realizes that you are in charge of what happens. You must be the one to start and finish any petting that occurs. If your cat starts biting, hissing or scratching again, take her and shut her in a room (with food and water) for an hour or so. Repeating this a few times will let her know that you are the alpha person, not her. This method will also work if an alpha cat tries to push other cats out of the feeding area or tries to eat all the food. Make sure the other cats (and your family) are able to eat in peace before allowing the alpha cat back in for her food.
Kittens can also show a high level of attack type behavior, although in kittens it is considered normal and is usually called ‘play-aggression’. It is a genetic disposition within kittens to play rough. Play-aggression usually occurs when your kitten becomes a juvenile and starts to practice natural survival instincts. Luckily, this is just a stage that most kittens, given some love and attention, will grow out of as they mature.
In the case of a playfully aggressive kitten, you will have to learn patience. By playing with and watching your kitten, you will soon learn to read and understand your cat’s ‘body language’ and you can then prevent the undesirable behavior before it becomes entrenched. Make a game of it and initiate some gentle play aggression yourself – it can be a wonderful bonding situation as well as a lot of fun.
The kitten in this video is being teased and is frightened. It is cornered and has nowhere to escape to. Notice how the ears are flat back indicating anger at what is happening. This cat is learning how to be aggressive and could well turn on her owners later.
Learning more about your cat and understanding why it does various things, and stepping in to prevent a problem such as cat aggression before it becomes a real problem doesn’t just benefit you, the owner, it also allows your cat to live a happier and less stressful life. And by taking steps to work on a problem immediately it manifests will make life easier for both of you.
For those of you who wish to learn more about cat aggression and how to avoid being bitten or scratched, *Cat Secrets Revealed is an excellent resource.
Cat Training or Keeping Them Off Your Counter Or Desk
Tags: alpha cats, cat aggression, cat attack, cat fighting, play aggression, types of cat aggression
hi
i desperatelly need your help. i have 2 cats first one mitzi is a ragdoll we bought her from a breeder,second one gipsy is a domestic long hair i got her from a petshop as a kitten because i couldn’t stand watching her in that cage. She came in a few months after mitzi. I had them for 2 years now they played together they ate together they really loved each other.
today they were playing and for some reason gipsy just snapped and now she is very very agressive towards mitzi and us but only when we try to grab her.i don’t know what to do i am crying because i don’t want to lose any of them.
i don’t have any kids and they get all our attention. they have a huge area enclosed outside and the whole house to play inside.
they are not spaded but not pregnant either.
please help me
cristina
Hi Cristina,
Have you checked gipsy to make sure she is not hurt in any way. Is it possible that mitzi snapped at her or bit her when you weren’t around? Give them both some special attention when the other one isn’t around. It sounds like you have a wonderful setup for your cats. Unless you want kittens, have them both spayed as soon as possible.
Kathy
Hi there,
I also desperately need your help… I have had cats my entire life and have always been blessed with wonderful, calm, loving and playful cats.
The cat I have now I almost two years ago from an animal shelter; at the time, she was only 7 weeks old. She is (for the most part) very loving and is extremely intelligent (plays fetch and fully understands a stern “no” if she is misbehaving).
Our problem all along has only been that if I am not paying complete attention to her (if I am reading or trying to sleep) she will “bounce” off my arm or ankle, bite and dig her claws in – then slowly walk away. Only once did she attack my face, and that was when she was only about 4 months old. This behaviour has bothered me in the past, but the only thing I have done to rememdy it was to hold her down by her scruff and scold her with one or two stern “no”s, then letting her go sulk.
This past week, however, she has really scared me. I am now 8 months pregnant with my first child and after attacking my ankle (once again) while trying to sleep, I got up and she ran away, started hissing, growling and ‘screaming’ at me – she even got herself so worked up that she eliminated on the floor. I left her be, to calm down,a nd she was back to her loving self the next morning.
Last night; however, I went down to the living room to find my cell phone, and she ran behind the sofa and started to growl and hiss at me again; she looked as if she was ready to attack me. I am VERY worried that her aggression is going to get worse (I have no idea what is causing it) and with the birth of my daughter soon happening, I am afraid I cannot trust her.
I SO don’t want to give her away, but my child comes first. Please advise if you have another solution! She IS my baby too.
Much thanks…
Hi Angela,
As a mother I totally understand your worries. Cats are incredibly perceptive and she may have picked up on your changes now you are pregnant. I think she is trying to establish herself as the ‘alpha person’ in your house, especially now that you are occupied with the coming birth. This is why she will do something to hurt you then walk away or compete for your attention all the time. Try shutting her in a room where she can’t do too much damage (eg laundry/bathroom) each time she attacks you. Do it immediately if at all possible, so she will associate the punishment with the behavior. Leave water in there and food if it is a meal time but leave her in there for 30 minutes. It will probably be noisy as she won’t enjoy this. After half an hour let her out and make a fuss of her so she knows she is still loved. If she bites or attacks you again, put her back in the laundry for 45-60 minutes. It is important to make a fuss each time she is let out but if she tries to bite you during this time, straight back to the laundry. Increase the time she is left each time the behavior occurs. It might take a week or so (hopefully not) but you must make her realize that you are the ‘alpha person’ in the house.
Please let me know how you go with this. Good luck with the birth of your daughter. All babies are special but the bond between mother and daughter is indescribable.
Hello there,
I was recently received two cats from my husband’s aunt. Both cats are over five years. These cats are obese, so I regulate how much they eat because when the female eats too much, she throws it up on the carpet. I try to play with the male cat (female sleeps all the time, plus she is blind) and since I control how much they eat, they have lost some weight. The male cat uses his claws for everything, even for tapping my knee for attention. Recently he has become more vocal, and also aggressive. When he wants food and I dont give it, he runs around the house, meowing loudly and occasionally clawing furniture and me. Basically he gets very aggressive if he does not get what he wants. What should I do?
Hi Kia
It can be hard as the cats are adults, but you have to make the male cat know you are boss. Keep up with rationing the food and exercise, it does help. When he runs around the house clawing and meowing, try to catch him and put him in a closed room where he can’t do much damage. Laundry or bathroom are good for this. If necessary, wear gloves and long sleeves or use a towel if you have to as you don’t want to get scratched. He will complain loudly when he is shut in but will eventually quieten down. When that happens, let him out and make a big fuss of him. Repeat this each time he gets aggressive. You will find the time out in the closed room will reduce. With your blind female, try to get her interested in chasing a squeaky toy or a small ball that has her smell on it. You can do this by leaving the toy in her bed or perhaps smearing a very small amount of food on it. She will be able to find it by smell.
Good luck. Please let me know how you go.
Kathy
Please help! I have a 3 year old male Maine coon cat,
and he also i believe is trying to demonstrate he is in control. He just attacked me again after he was all loving and letting me brush him. It is clear he loves me and he has always been loved on, but he turns and is scary and jumps on my hip from
behind… I don’t always have a water bottle nearby, and I automatically say no and put him in a room. But he keeps doing it every month or so, and when I have went on vacation in the past and a friend watches him after about 10 days or so he will do it to them! Please help! I love him dearly and want him in my life but not if this doesn’t stop, what can be done? Thank you
Hi Lindsay,
Has your cat been neutered? If not this could account for his aggression. Has anyone been teasing him? He may be reacting to this. If the answer to those questions is no, it sounds like petting induced aggression. He has had enough of being stroked and this is his way of letting you know. Try grooming him for a shorter time. Keep putting him in a closed room with food and water and some toys to play with each time he attacks you. You are not punishing him, you are letting him know that this sort of behavior is unacceptable and that you are the one in charge. You might need to do this for some time until he learns the consequences of attacking you.
I’m so happy that you want to solve the problem. Some people will just take the cat to a shelter. Please let me know how you go.
Kathy
Any suggestions about how to keep the neighbor’s cat from spraying on my front door? Nice cats. Not sure why they’ve started this. We do own a dog, but it is NOT allowed to harrass the cats, and is always kept on a leash if outside the house or our fenced yard.
Hi Kay
Try spraying some strong smelling oils or use a citrus spray all around the door and the area leading to it. My elderly cat started using our walk in robe for her ablutions and citrus spray (from Woolworths) soon stopped it. I just sprayed the area inside and outside the opening (no door) and up the walls. Lavendar is another good one to use. You could also try sprinkling something like cayenne pepper around the door. If the neighbor’s cat sniffs that it probably won’t be back for a while.
Hope this helps.
Kathy
Hello Kay,
I’m worried with regards to my parents’ cat suddenly becoming excessively aggressive and/or defensive towards them, end the (elderly) grandmother, living with them (no kids in the home, no other pets).
She was the youngest of the litter, and the smallest, but definitely the feistiest – the reason i picked her out. Two years old now, she has been very friendly the whole time, play-fighting sometimes, but no more than that. Her favorite person is my mother, and she is friendly with everyone else.
Two incidents occurred, both behaviorally-similar: from resting position (sleep, presumably), OUT OF NOWHERE she will start to scream (lengthy, loud whine), and slowly advance in an offensive crouch towards a family member. The first time was in my grandmother’s bed, where she also decided to relieve herself, and bite my grandmother. The second was months later (I witnessed it) – the primary target was my mother (or her feet, to be more precise), then my father’s feet and my own. No attack this time. Took her a minute to quiet down, and ten more minutes of wandering around and looking around to calm down, and have her fur return to its normal look.
She has been spayed, not de-clawed. Lives in Condo – closed-off environment.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Rick,
I am mystified as to why this would happen. Has the environment been changed in any way? Painting, changing furniture around etc? Has the food been changed? It sounds as though she is having nightmares and reacting to them. The fact that she is taking so long to return to normal suggests fear. See if you can get hold of some tincture of valerian and give her one drop per pound of body weight twice a day. You can also try the Bach Rescue Remedy from health food shops.
Please let me know how this goes. I’ll also do some more research.
Kathy
Hi Rick
This is quite unusual behaviour. I wonder if she is having nightmares. The fact that it takes time for her to calm down means she has been frightened by something. You could try some tincture of Valarian at 1 drop per pound of body weight twice a day. You could also get hold of some Bach Rescue Remedy from natural heath shops to see if that works. Gentle voices will also help calm her, although that can be hard if she has bitten someone. The elimination on the bed could have been an involuntary one due to fear.
Please let me know how you go. I’ll also do some more research.
Kathy
Kathy,
Thank you very much for your advice – I’ll definitely give those methods a try. As for their effectiveness – in this situation it’ll be difficult to tell, seeing as how the occurrences are quite rare, to say the least. I’ll be sure to let you know if there is a similar episode(s) in the future. I’ll also note the treatment used.
Regards,
Rick