About Types of Aggressive Cat Behavior
What causes cats to be aggressive toward one another or humans?
It's critical to assess the circumstances that lead to this aggressive cat behavior so that we can identify the triggers.
Never rule out the possibility of a medical problem. Your cat may appear normal, but he could be suffering from one of several diseases that cause aggressive behavior, particularly those that cause pain, such as a mouth or tooth abscess, trauma, or even arthritis. If your dog's aggressive behavior has suddenly appeared, it's critical to seek advice from a veterinarian.
Some cats haven't been properly socialized. Socialization is a critical aspect of cat behavior. If your cat has been socialized from a young age, it will be much easier to introduce a new cat to the household. When confronted with a new situation, such as the arrival of another cat, cats who have not been well-socialized lack the necessary skills to interact with other felines, and they will become defensive and aggressive. The best course of action in this situation is to ignore the cat until he calms down. Place the newcomer in a different room. Slowly begin the introduction.
Cats have a strong sense of belonging. Each cat has its own space or territory at home. When you bring home a new kitten or cat, this becomes apparent. It can also happen when a housemate tries to take over a space that the other cat "owns." To avoid fights, make sure each cat has his or her own space, toys, utensils, litter box, cat tree, and so on.
The "redirected" aggression is another type of aggressive behavior. It occurs when something disturbs one of the cats or when his environment changes abruptly. If a cat is startled by the presence of a stranger, person, or animal he can't reach, he will direct his aggression towards the person or animal closest to him. As a result of the redirected aggression, the cat becomes extremely dangerous. This type of aggressive cat behavior is uncontrollable; it's almost like the cat is acting on an impulse.
Even petting your cat can cause it to become aggressive. According to cat behavior experts, repetitive petting can arouse some cats to the point where it becomes unpleasant, if not painful. Your cat becomes irritable and aggressive as a result. Flattened ears, tense body, twitching tail, and growling are all signs that your cat is bothered by petting.
Play aggression is common among kittens and young cats, and it is the most common form of aggression directed at humans. Some cats never learn to control their rough play and can be overly aggressive when playing with their humans. Allowing your cat to "attack" your hands or feet and leaving him alone for long periods are two factors that promote this cat behavior. Instead of using your hands or feet, you can teach your cat to play with his toys. To deter rough play, use compressed air or water spray.
Whole male or female cats are more aggressive than fixed cats, so spaying or neutering all of your cats is the first step to avoid having an aggressive feline.
Feline Aggression:
There are six different types of feline aggression.
Pet cats, despite being domesticated, can be aggressive toward other cats, other animals, and humans. Furthermore, while feline aggression may not be perceived as aggressive as canine aggression, it is just as dangerous for the animals involved as it is for humans who enter the fray.
The six major types of cat aggression, as well as their triggers and causes, will be discussed here. Keep in mind that medical conditions, territorial issues, and behavioral issues can all contribute to feline aggression; examples include epilepsy, arthritis, trauma, rabies, hyperthyroidism, and cognitive dysfunction. It's critical to take your aggressive cat to a veterinarian for a thorough medical examination to rule out any underlying medical issues.
1- Territorial Conflict:
Cats are fiercely territorial animals, and male cats are more likely than female cats to defend larger territories. Their territorial aggression is usually directed at other cats, but it can also be directed at other animals, particularly dogs, as well as humans. They mark their territory by spraying urine, rubbing their chins, and patrolling the area, as well as chasing, ambushing, and stalking the prey.
Territorial aggression is typically a form of offensive aggression, and cats will engage in offensive body postures such as growling, swatting, and hissing.
2- Aggression on the defensive:
Defensive aggression, also known as fear aggression, arises from a cat's fear of a threat posed by another animal, a person, an object, or even a sound. The more fearful your cat is, the more pronounced his reactions will be, so avoid appeasing or approaching him when he's displaying defensive aggression. Before offering any comfort or food, you must wait until he has calmed down.
Defensive signals like flattened ears tucked tails, and crouching, as well as aggressive signals like spitting, hissing, and biting, are common body postures in defensive aggression.
3- play Aggression:
Aggression in cats can be caused by rough play, but it is most common in kittens and young cats under the age of two. In many cases, play aggression is directed toward the cat's parents, a redirection that can be harmful to humans due to the possibility of biting and scratching.
While rough play allows kittens to "practice" their life skills, cat parents should keep an eye on them. You must give your kitten plenty of opportunities to play and discourage them from attacking people, particularly their hands and feet, while they are playing.
Aggression Induced by Petting:
Cat owners should pay attention to their cats' reactions to petting. For example, a Siamese cat may enjoy being petted, hugged, and carried, whereas a tabby cat may tolerate being petted but not carried. You might even have a cat who isn't fond of being petted, let alone hugged and carried!
Even if a cat enjoys being petted, he may have a tolerance limit that, once reached, causes him to become aggressive. According to popular belief, stroking a cat repeatedly can cause excitement, arousal, and even pain; static electricity in the fur may also contribute to unpleasant sensations.
You'll notice signs like your cat quickly turning his head toward your hand, as if he's about to bite it, flattening his ears, and twitching his tail, as well as dilated pupils and restlessness, if he has petting-induced aggression. In this case, you should stop petting your cat and let him out of your lap to avoid being bitten.
Predatory Aggression:
Even when they are domesticated, cats are natural predators. Cat parents, on the other hand, should respect their cats' predatory tendencies because they keep them motivated. Cats are also excellent hunters, capable of catching rodents such as voles and mice, which is a useful trait to have in the home.
Predatory aggression isn't technically aggression because it's directed at prey rather than other cats or people. However, unless necessary, cat parents should avoid interfering with predatory behavior.
Aggression that is redirected:
Redirected aggression in cats is among the most dangerous because the attacks can be destructive to property and frightening to witness, especially when they bite and swat with their paws. The cat's frustration at not being able to avenge a wrong, hunt prey, or gain access to something, among other things, leads to redirected aggression.
When your cat can't get at another cat intruding on his territory or a prey he can't hunt, he becomes agitated, anxious, and aroused. He then directs his rage at another animal or person who is close by or approaching him.
Another reason redirected aggression is dangerous is that there is a long period between the situation that arouses his rage and the actual attack, sometimes even hours. You, the cat parent, may then describe the attack as unexpected, even though the trigger had been present for hours before he attacked.
Conclusion:
In many cases, cat aggression is idiopathic, meaning that there is no identifiable cause. Whatever the reason, you should make every effort to address it properly. Be sure to work with your pet’s veterinarian and, if needed, with a cat behaviorist for this purpose.
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