Watching intently before taking off. This is part of play aggression.
Cats love to play. They stalk, chase, pounce, bite and scratch just about anything and anyone they see. This is normal behavior. It is part of their play aggression. This is how they learn to chase and catch prey such as mice. What is not normal is when these behaviors appear to take over, and this is all your cat seems to do.
Sometimes, your cat may use play aggression as a method of ‘paying you back’ for leaving them alone for too long. This sort of play aggression should not last very long, and if you make a fuss of your cat and play back with it, this will help. Play aggression could also be reinforced by owners who enjoyed letting their cat ‘attack’ their hands and feet, all the time. It becomes a problem when this is taken to extremes. While it might be cute in your kitten, this is not the case in adult cats.
You need to learn your cat’s body language and recognize the signs of cats that are planning to or are being outright aggressive. Keep in mind that typical play aggression will look like aggressive behavior, so it is up to you to learn the difference.
Cats love to stalk their owners and pounce on moving body parts such as hands and feet. This is a fun game to them. You need to train your cat to understand when to stop. Giving commands such as “no” in a firm but gentle voice, or removing yourself from the cat at the same time will help in this training. You can also pick your cat up and cuddle it to signal the end of the play time.
During play aggression there should be no growling or hissing. However, if you notice your cat’s pupils are widely dilated, it is time to back off. You may receive the occasional bite or scratch during play aggression, but these will be minor. Your cat might also dig his claws into your skin, but in play aggression it would be rare for him to break the skin.
If your cat does start to hiss or growl while he is playing and this is completely out of character for him, try to find the cause for this behavior. Is he in pain? Perhaps he is ill, or hurting somewhere. Check his body for any unusual lumps or bumps, or grass seeds that may be causing him problems. Of course, seek advice from your vet if you are unsure about a problem.
Cats will usually give a warning such as a growl or a gentle nip if they have had enough play. Learn to tell the difference between the different types of aggression your cat displays. Act early to stop true, aggressive behavior. You must make sure your cat knows who is the ‘alpha’ or number-one person in the relationship. This must be you.
If you are still having problems with your cat’s aggression, I suggest you read ‘The Power of Play’ in *Cat Secrets Revealed.
Tags: aggression in cats, aggressive cat, aggressive cat behavior, aggressive cats, aggressive kitten, cat aggression, cat attack, cat biting toes, cat body language, cat hissing, cats aggression, feline aggression, kitten aggression, kittens, play, play aggression
My cat has become very aggressive, bites me hard, breaking the skin and causing swelling and bruising. 80% of the time he is fine, playful and sweet. He’s neutered. Our vet put him on amitriptyline starting with 1 tablet daily then two. Main problem was getting him to take the pill. Pill poppers worked until he bit down hard on one and got a taste of the pill. Now he won’t touch pill poppers. His aggression didn’t improve while on the meds. I’ve tried telling him No!, moving away from him. I watch for physical signs but sometimes he just bites down on me with no warning.
Has anyone discussed the possibility of food allergies in this area? I’m thinking about trying different food.
Hi Paula,
Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. My town lost 41 houses in a bushfire at the end of 2009 and I’ve been helping in the relief effort since then.
I really feel for you. Having a pet doing this is unfathomable.
Regarding the pills, cats are very hard to give pills to. Does he have an absolute favorite food? Is it possible to either crush or soak the tablet in water and add it in some strong tasting food such as a tin of tuna or in his milk with a drop or two of vanilla to disguise the taste? You have a good idea with food allergies. Try feeding him on one brand and flavor of food and see if it makes a difference. Gradually add new flavors and keep notes.
Have you tried putting him in a closed room (laundry, bathroom) as soon as he becomes aggressive and bites? Have water in there of course and increase the ‘time out’ period each time he bites. Start with 15-20 minutes and be prepared for some wailing. Laundries and bathrooms are good as there isn’t much in there he can damage or do damage to himself.
Please let me know how you go.
Kathy