Aggressive Cat Behavior

A cat can be a wonderful addition to any family. Unlike a dog, a cat does not demand a great deal of attention, and is not in need of an inordinate amount of love and affection. In fact, many cats shun too much of this sort of attention. However, some cats take this a step further and actually display aggression. Too much aggressive behavior can make the cat a problem and an unwelcome member of the household.

Identification

The most important first step in dealing with a cat's aggressive behavior is to recognize that there is a problem. Finding solutions to cat aggression will only get more difficult if the same problems continue to go on unchecked. The quicker you are able to identify aggressive behavior, the better your chances of finding a way to cure it. Make sure you observe your cat carefully, especially during periods of stress. This could include a new pet in the household, moving to a new house, or any of a variety of things. If you notice anything strange about your cat, it could be a sign of unhappiness and stress, which could very well lead to aggressive behavior.

Effects

When a cat becomes aggressive, it can cause a great deal of turmoil in a house. The cat may strike out at the furniture, causing expensive and unsightly damage. It may lash out at other pets in the house, not only endangering their safety, but possibly altering their behavior as well. Finally, it may hurt a member of the family. Unfortunately, when this occurs, many people decide that they should give the cat to a shelter, which, in 9 cases out of 10, means the cat will be destroyed. If your cat means a lot to you, you should make an effort to control and dissuade aggressive behavior before it gets to that point.

Theories/Speculation

A cat can display aggression for a variety of reasons. Not all of them have a concrete source. Although there may be bestselling books that claim "there are no bad cats," the facts are not with these feel good tomes. Some cats, and other animals (just as with some people) are simply born with a screw loose, for lack of a better term. However, in the majority of cases, there is a root cause for the behavior. If your cat is exhibiting unwelcome aggression, it would be in your best interest to discover the cause of the problem. Have you recently introduced a new pet into the household? Not all cats are fiercely territorial, but some are, and feel very threatened by another animal in their living space. A new baby can present much of the same problems, making the cat feel as though your affections for it have been redirected. Sometimes the problem is with the cat's early life. If a cat is mistreated from birth, it can harbor hostilities that won't go away without special treatment.

Prevention/Solution

Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can tame an aggressive cat, if you're willing to do the research and follow through with the practices you learn. If you find that your cat becomes aggressive when it is being petted, take the time to use techniques that will accustom the cat to being handled. This could include scratching it and petting it solely about the head, while it maintains its distance. Sometimes a cat can feel trapped if petting occurs while it is sitting on your lap.
If your cat's aggression is coming from the presence of a new pet, then the problem is rooted in the feeling of fear. The fear comes from being threatened, either territorially or physically. Mostly this can be overcome with time, as long as the aggression is not disrupting the household too much. If the other pet is more pliable, concentrate your efforts on that animal, and instruct it to stay away from the cat. In time, the cat will likely get over its fear and the two can live in harmony.
If you find your cats aggression is too much for you to handle on your own, it is advised that you seek out the thoughts of a veterinarian in your area. Some cats can be controlled and tempered with a small dose of medicine. This medicine can make a world of difference in the behavior of your cat, without turning it into a zombie. Consult with a professional and see what they have to say about your pet's symptoms.

Warning

Here are some of the common signs of aggression in many breeds of cat: inability to settle down; pupils which are fully dilated or fully contracted; ears flattened back against the head; thrashing of the tail; fur bristling and poofing up away from the skin--the cat does this automatically to present a larger, more threatening appearance; hissing and overly agitated, deep meowing.