Aggressive Feline Behavior

Cats can become aggressive when they feel threatened.

Many people are quite surprised when they see just how aggressive felines can be. Cats will lunge, scratch, bite, growl and hiss when they feel provoked, not to mention roll, defecate and urinate as part of their defense. If your cuddly feline has suddenly turned into a vicious tiger, it may be due to a medical reason. However, if your cat has always been cantankerous, it could be the result of traumatic experiences when it was young.

Aggression Facts

Cat aggression comes in many varieties and can be toward both humans and other animals. Aggression is typically in the form of biting, hissing, growling and lunging. However, it also manifests more subtly, such as in blocking other cats from the food bowl or nibbling on your hand in the midst of a petting session.

Causes

According to the Perfect Paws website, feline aggression is brought on by many factors. The cat may feel that its life is in danger and will do whatever it takes to defend itself, including biting. When a cat feels its territory is being infringed upon, it may become aggressive. Cats can even bite if they become overstimulated. For instance, if you’re petting your cat and it wants you to stop, it may tell you so by biting you. A cat may also suddenly become aggressive when it doesn’t feel well. It may growl or hiss when you pick it up or for no apparent reason. In addition, if the cat experienced traumatic situations when it was younger, it may show aggression toward what caused the trauma.

Diagnosis

If the aggression has come on suddenly, take your cat to the veterinarian. The vet will likely run a few tests to determine the cause. Blood and urine may be obtained to check the cat’s organ functions, along with radiographs to check for masses or other internal issues. If the veterinarian cannot find any medical reasons for the aggression, she may refer you to a behaviorist to find out what is going on.

Treatment

If the aggression is caused by medical reasons, the aggression will likely not stop unless the issues are addressed. For instance, if the cat has diabetes or thyroid problems, it needs insulin or thyroid medication to resolve the problem. Once the cat feels well again, the aggression may resolve. If the problem is a behavioral issue, medication may help to alleviate the problem, according to Chick Newman, DVM.

Prevention

Feline aggression is often preventable by socializing kittens to new experiences, along with stopping the aggression as soon as it begins. For instance, the Newman Veterinary website states that if a kitten displays biting or clawing behavior when it is young, such as when it plays, startle it or stop playing with it to eliminate the behavior. Stopping the behavior as soon as it starts is much easier than stopping it when it has been allowed to continue. In addition, expose the kitten to other people and animals when it is young to prevent fear aggression as an adult.

References

• Perfect Paws: Feline Aggression--Biting, Fighting, Scratching, Attacking
• Newman Veterinary: Feline Behavioral Problems