Aggressive Cat Behavior Can Be Fixed

Cat lovers will tell you cats make great pets. Most say it is because of the love they show when they nestle up to you purring. Others are drawn to a cat for its demeanor. However, some cats can be aggressive and this can give them a bad reputation. If your long-time pal has suddenly turned aggressive, it is important that you get to the root of the problem and fix it.

All aggressive cat behavior is not the same. Sometimes aggression can be a sign that a cat is in great pain. Beware of sudden unusual biting and scratching from a previously sweet and non-aggressive cat. It could be that this sudden aggressive cat behavior is you cat's way of telling you he is in severe pain.

By far, the most commonly seen aggressive cat behavior is play aggression. It usually is caused by the owner! Everybody loves to play with their pet, and the kitten owner is no exception. As the cat ages, it may not understand that aggressive playing can hurt you, or why you no longer wish to play with him. This behavior can frighten others and damage the cat's reputation. Declawing the cat doesn't address the root problem. The better way to handle play aggression is to provide toys to substitute for playing, and to startle a cat with a loud clap.

When a cat is backed into a corner, it is on the defense. Sometimes the cat may become violent when it's been over stimulated and can misbehave if it feels anxious or afraid. When something like this happens, it is the owner's job to recognize the warning signs of the cat so it can be safely removed from the situation. Every now and then, the aggression may be misplaced when a cat sees something through the window that upsets him; it may act aggressively towards you instead. If this happens, the cat may react with a growl or hiss and will most likely need a break.

Some other types of aggressive cat behavior are Maternal, Territorial, and Dominance aggression. In Maternal aggression, a mother cat can be overprotective with her kittens -- remember that as an owner, it is your job to trust your cat's maternal instincts by leaving her alone. In Dominance aggression, the causes are much more complicated. In order to be treated, the owner must stop providing attention to the cat until it eventually becomes gentler. Finally, territory fights can be handled by breaking up the fighting cats and separating them so that they can each be in a tranquil place. In order to ensure that they behave, one must make life more boring for them.

Punishing a cat will never correct aggressive behavior. Getting help from a cat whisperer, or "feline therapist", if you can't handle the problem yourself, would prove more effective, especially when the problem appears to be a deep-seated one. Whisperers understand feline psychology and how to relate to those naughty kitties. Yes, you can find some advice online, but when the case is very difficult, a whisperer will usually make a "house call".

Although they are wonderful pets, sometimes cats can develop behavior problems. This article explains the several different types of aggressive cat behavior (pain aggression, play aggression, and maternal, dominance, and territorial aggression), what causes this kind of aggression, and what to do about it. The author concludes that cat behaviour problems are best treated by getting the help of a caring feline therapist, otherwise known as a cat whisperer.

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