So, you finally own a cat, and you're both having a fun time
together. Congratulations on that!
But, suddenly you've started noticing a behavioral change in
your cat, something that you least expected. Your kitty is being more
aggressive towards people, both the guests and the inmates and the worst part
is that you understand nothing about the aggressive nature that she is showing.
In cats, aggressive behavior towards people can be a sign of
stress. As the owner, it is important for you to know the cause of stress and
find out a solution accordingly. Distinguishing between a genuinely aggressive
cat and the one that needs medical attention is necessary.
Here, the article summarizes the three leading causes of
feline aggression and their associated solution:
1. Play Aggression:
Causes- I agree you wouldn't want to spoil your cat's mood
and make her angry, but you might trigger the mood unknowingly. You might
contribute to 'play aggression' by using your fingers as toys. I'm sure you
adore your kitty, but letting her bite your fingers (even playfully) sends a
message that it is fine to eat flesh. Scratching and biting is a cat's nature
but inducing improved social behavior in her will avoid play aggression.
Solutions- Cats are hunters by nature, but that doesn't mean
they should be allowed to hunt human flesh. Using fingers to play with the cat
is a corrupt practice; instead, it is recommended that you use an interactive
toy (a fishing pole probably), maintaining a safe distance between the cat's
teeth and your fingers. Schedule at least two 15 minutes sessions to spend some
time with your kitty, while letting her play and hunt simultaneously.
2. Fear Aggression:
Causes- Trying to intrude into a cat's safe area will cause
her to fight you. Any cat can exhibit 'fear aggression' as a normal survival
response to a potential threat. A fear aggression posture is a combination of
many conflicting emotions during which the cat avoids confrontation. She may
choose to hiss and growl in the hope of scaring off the opponent, but if that
doesn't work, she might crouch. The cat's crouching action sends a message loud
and clear, "I will fight you if I have to, but I choose to get out of
here!" Children usually become victims of fear aggression when they try to
hold the cat against its will.
Solutions- Learn to accept that the animal might take you as
a threat and not enjoy you trying to cuddle with it. Teach your kids not to
intrude into the cat's safe area or it might just scratch and bite them. If the
cat hisses or growls back off! Offer a safe retreat because frightened cats
often look for an escape. Try setting up a hideaway in the house or opt for a
cat tree because most cats feel safer in an elevated location.
3. Redirected Aggression:
Causes- 'Redirected aggression' occurs when the cats are
stressed or in a situation they cannot control. For example, if an indoor cat
spots an unfamiliar cat in the yard. It might start scratching the windows in
agitation, but in worst cases, it might even jump outside the window and attack
the nearest animal or human without enough provocation.
Solutions- Try to figure out what caused the cat to show
this unusual behavior and consider getting it removed from there. If there was
something outside the house that resulted in this action, then try calming down
the cat by bringing it into a closed room and leaving it on its own. Keeping a
cat's cool isn't an easy affair, and it may take hours, but be sure once she
returns to her usual self she'll be fun to have around. Do not try to pet her
immediately as she might consider it a sign of restraint and might attack you.
No one ever said being a cat owner is going to be easy, but
they might not have told you about these forms of feline aggression as
mentioned above. Usually, the owners are taken by surprise when a cat attacks
someone aggressively, and they term it a violent pet. This, however, is not
true! Understand the nature of your pet cat and the cause of aggression. Play
sessions with your little purr balls including a lot of knowledge about their
behavior will eventually turn them into loving and well-behaved pets.
Owning a cat is not the easiest thing you can do, but if you
can take care of the little thing it will definitely give you a lot of
happiness.
Credit: Kritika Modgil
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