Three Reasons Why Your Cat Becomes Aggressive
Sometimes it seems that cats are complex animals, but they are actually very simple. If they are comfortable, you are comfortable. As with any other pet, each cat has its own personality. Some are naturally more aggressive than others are, but this should not be a major problem if they were properly socialized as a kitten. There are times when our pets act out. Of course, they have their moments! Even if they are domesticated, they are still animals.
Reasons for Aggression in Your Kitty
1. Invasion of Territory
Their territory has been invaded. Even the friendliest of kitties has a line they do not want crossed. Sometimes that line is involved with other cats or animals invading their personal space. If you have had one cat for a while, they will have gotten used to having you and their home all to themselves. Bringing in another cat may have a profound effect on his or her behavior. While one cat might immediately welcome another, some of them just want the “stranger” to leave, so they set out to make it happen. Other cats are not always the problem. While you might think a cat would immediately run away from a dog, some of them are braver than you know. My kitty will not stand for a dog being in his house. He will do everything he can to make sure that dog leaves and so far attacking the dog has worked. When it works, they are encouraged to do it again the next time. Personally, I love dogs. However, I do not advise friends to bring their puppies over. People can be on the receiving end of such rude behavior, too. Some cats just do not like anyone but their immediate family. However, they usually do not attack people unless socialization is forced upon them.
2. Real and Perceived Threats
Fear can cause a cat to attack. If another cat, a dog or even a person has ever hurt them, they will either hide or assert their rights. Cats do not know the difference between a perceived threat and a real one. When confronted with a threat, the fight or flight response kicks in. If kitty is not running, then kitty is fighting
3. Illness or Injury
How do you feel when you have a migraine? What about a bad toothache? Any kind of severe pain can cause a person to feel ornery. Most people are able to apply psychological principles to their response. They will either seek a solitary place or tolerate the intrusion on their pain. Cats are not big on psychology. They are affected by it, but they do not consciously apply it. Some cats will want to cuddle with their owners when they are feeling sick. Others will just want you to go away, so they do what they can to make sure you do. It is not as though they can tell you in another way! When there are no “threats” around and your otherwise friendly kitty is hissing, scratching or biting, then a trip to the veterinarian is in order.
Whatever the cause of aggression in your kitty, if the problem gets to be too much, seek out advice from an expert. If you are introducing a new pet into your household, take it slow. Try keeping the other cat or dog somewhere else for a day or so. Get a blanket or another item, rub it on the new addition and then bring the object into your home. Place the object in a central place and let your kitty get the scent. Move it from room to room, so your cat recognizes the scent as “belonging” there. This does not always work so easily, but it can make a difference in how fast your pet accepts another animal. Cats may have to get used to people in the same way. Do not make them socialize with a new person. Let them get used to their scent and their presence.
