how to deal with an aggressive cat

And no matter how well prepared you are to deal with the situation, it will set you back a step (or two)! In certain cases, cat aggression toward other cats can stem from boredom. Remember to give the stray treats when he exhibits good behavior, and consider going to a vet to get him fixed; that alone could cut down on a lot of the aggression. Good job.". Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If you are experiencing an issue with an aggressive cat, one of the best things you can do is discuss the issue with a trained veterinarian. Provide a low stress environment, keep visitors to a minimum, and avoid approaching or handling either the mother or her kittens if you are met with maternal aggression. It is true that some cat breeds tend to be more aggressive than others. Do you have other cats in your home? Just give the cat space. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. You can then take the cat into your bedroom or bathroom. Call your local authorities or pest control to tame the aggressive cat. Keep an aquarium with live fish can occupy your cat's attention, or position bird and squirrel feeders outside windows where your cat can observe animals coming and going during the day. For example, a cat whose tail was once caught in a door may be protective of its tail long after the pain is gone. Hi there; in this article, I’ll be going to explore some interesting facts about how to deal with aggressive cat breeds. Dealing With Aggressive Cats . When your cats are aggressive toward one another, it's likely that a fight will break out at some point. By using our site, you agree to our. The two cats should be able to smell and hear each other through the closed door, but there should be no physical contact. Some cats occasionally will bite or scratch at you when irritated or handled roughly. Territorial aggression is most often seen in intact cats, but neutered indoor cats can get aggressive about territory, too, particularly if there’s a new cat in the house or there are cats outside doing urine marking and frustrating the cat. We want to keep him, but he is aggressive towards our dog and other cat. Cats, especially ones that are feral, see … Try again later, this time positioning them farther apart. This will make your cat realize the situation and this will be enough to calm the aggression of your cat. Don’t despair: There are ways to deal with aggressive behavior in cats. If you can be patient and identify what is triggering your cat’s aggressive behavior, then you can typically make … It's something cat parents tend to notice more when the aggression is directed toward them, usually in the form of ankle attacks, ambushes or biting and scratching that break the skin. For example, if your cat has an aggressive fear of a specific person, that person might stand at a distance that does not trigger aggressive behavior. This article has been viewed 223,583 times. Don’t resume playing until your cat is calm if it bites or scratches you. After a few days, switch the positions of the cats. If you're old enough and living on your own, or if your parents don't mind, you could get a humane trap. Having two aggressive cats is not fun. For additional guide, below is a short video of how to deal with an aggressive cat: Therefore, if you want to help to calm your aggressive cat, you should give it some space. They have five potential weapons (their teeth and all four clawed paws) compared to a dogs sole weapon of his or her mouth. Giving food or attention to the. To be safe, make sure your cat always wears identification tags on her collar when walking outside. Make sure someone plays with the cats regularly. She’s treated cancer in dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, rabbits, bearded dragons, sugar gliders, snakes, and turtles. We are now in the UK. This whole process can take weeks or even months. In order to resolve your cat’s aggression, you’ll first need to find the … The average healthy cat adopted from a shelter is not aggressive and should not hurt you under normal circumstances. Even seasoned cat owners can be alarmed by aggressive cat behavior. To pick the cat up, wrap it snugly in a towel to impede movement. If the toy doesn't work, interrupt bad behavior with an aerosol hiss. New or returning cats should be confined to their own room with separate litter box, water, and food. Most situations involving cat aggression are entirely manageable and result from fear, anxiety, lack of socialization or previously traumatic life experiences. At Germantown Vet, we have years of experience dealing with all types of cats—from pokey and playful to irritable and aggressive. Your vet can check your cat's health and rule out any health-related causes. Rotate playtime objects frequently, so that your cat doesn’t become bored. Do not physically punish your cat for rough play. Predatory aggression derives from cats whose predatory instincts are triggered. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Last Updated: July 31, 2020 Redirected aggression. Then let the other cats in the home sniff around under the door. Increasing the number of toys, cat trees, litter boxes, and feeding stations reduced competition for resources. Allow your cat to investigate the smells of the newcomer, while the new cat explores the house and the scent of his new playmate. Inter-Male aggression relies on the natural competitive nature between toms. Idiopathic aggression is spontaneous, and may be a threat to the physical safety of those who come into contact with the cat. Once the aggressive cat walks away and is calm, reinforce its good behavior with a desirable treat, toy, or attention. Tail curved around the body and tucked in, Eyes wide open with pupils partially or fully dilated, Ears flattened sideways or backward on the head, Piloerection (hackles up/hair stands on end), Turning sideways to the opponent, not straight on, Stiffened rear legs, with the rear end raised and the back sloped downward toward the head, Stiff tail, lowered or held straight down to the ground, Upright ears, with the backs rotated slightly forward, Piloerection (hackles up), including fur on the tail, Directly facing opponent, possibly moving toward him. It helped. "There were a few good tips I didn't know about. Dealing with aggression. What’s a … Damage to the eyes from claws, and infections cause by bites and scratches may require emergency treatment. It will NOT hurt the cat. Dealing with a bad “cat-itude” Every pet sitter has been—or will be—confronted with a hissing, growling irate feline. Cats can show signs of aggression when in pain. Aggression in cats is usually motivated by, or related to: An angry, aggressive cat is in some ways scarier to confront than an aggressive dog. Unprovoked Aggression in Cats, Know How to Deal with a Violent Cat Behavior. % of people told us that this article helped them. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. Keep in mind that medication is only part of the solution; it must be used in conjunction with slow introductions and consistent rewards for peaceful behavior. She was severely dehydrated and was taken care of the vet. They may bite repeatedly and remain in an aroused state for long periods of time. It is afraid. You'll only end up bloody and scratched and potentially lose the trust of one (or both) of your cats. After several hours, they might be brought closer together. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. The majority of the time, the fighting involves intact same-sex cats and worsens during mating season—90 percent of instances of inter-cat aggression can be decreased or prevented by. Fear Can Cause Cat Aggression. Some cats just wont give peace a chance. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 223,583 times. Do not encourage your cat to play with your hands, feet or any other body part. You can also use cat videos. Petting aggression is not well understood, and may come from over-stimulation. Maternal aggression is the queen cat's instinctual protective response. Keep your own cat indoors. However, we found her caught up in a fishing net. Biting & Aggressive Behavior in Cats Cat bites and scratches are painful and possibly prone to infection. What should I do? We want to bring him indoors, but we're afraid he'll attack them. We can help you understand the reasons behind aggressive behavior and how to stop it. What can we do to help her please. To build your cat's trust, find the cat's go-to treat and scatter some around the room during a play session. ", "You guys are really great. Speak with a board-certified veterinary behaviorist to see what kind of professional therapy may be helpful. If they must be in adjoining rooms, place a barrier at the bottom of the door. If you can't find a tall enough one, or don't have something you can use that they won't jump over, you can use a pet carrier. Any type of aggression in cats can be dangerous to you or other pets. Play aggression happens when cats take play too far. Presence of other pets This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. To avoid escalating the brawl, resist the temptation to break it up physically. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This is espe… Then you should tell all family members to give the feline some space. It is all about what you do and don't understand. It may not work for you, but it worked for me. Distraction is a better approach to stopping a squabble between cats. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. When cat food turns your snuggle kitty into an attack cat, she may suffer from food aggression, a relatively uncommon type of cat aggression. Below are some general recommendations for dealing with feline aggression problems. If your cat is only mildly aggressive and needs some exercise, going on leashed walks is a safe way to take your indoor cat on outdoor adventures. To deal with an aggressive cat, clap your hands loudly or spray the cat with water to disrupt the behavior. If your cat becomes aggressive, your first step should always be to visit your vet. For a truly aggressive cat you just need to be in the room, lying on the floor, eyes closed, with treats around you. Then set the trap where you usually see the cat. Aggression from an illness might be a sign of great pain. He will also sometimes attack people's legs. Give the passive cat the choice of locations within the house, sequester the bully cat… If you have more than one cat living under your roof, you may be familiar with catfights, technically known as inter-cat aggression. After all, cats have to be fed. 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