Play aggression
A kitten or young cat can behave very rudely during play: scratching, biting, hunting for a person and attacking from an ambush.
Do not encourage your pet's aggressive behavior / bandofcats.com
The reason is that the animal simply does not know how to control itself. Cats typically learn to communicate when they grow up with their peers. This is how they learn that aggression can be met with a mirror response or the fun will end. But those kittens that were taken from their mother before the age of three months did not have time to acquire social skills. Therefore, they can play very harshly and simply do not understand that such behavior is unacceptable.
According to researchers of Common feline problem behaviors: Owner-directed aggression, the only pets that never go for walks and those whose owners prefer rather rough games can also show aggression. Such predatory habits are also typical for some breeds in general, for example, Bengal cats.
What to do about it
First, determine if there is a pattern when aggression occurs. For example, an animal hides under a bed when preparing to jump. To prevent an attack, distract your furry with a game or simply block access to ambush areas. An ordinary bell on the collar can tell you where the pet is.
Also try to switch your cat's attention to different toys. But do not expose your hands to scratching and biting: the animal may perceive this as a general game, which will provoke new aggression.
Don't punish your cat: sometimes this causes fear of people. If you see an animal showing play aggression, simply ignore it and walk away. This way the pet will understand that his actions do not lead to a common game.
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Causes of cat aggression
Felines are not the type of animal for which aggressive attacks are normal. Large predators of the family prefer to retreat rather than engage in a fight with the enemy. There are several reasons that cause rage in furry pets.
Aggressive cat
Cat disease
Inappropriate behavior can be caused by various pathologies. Attacks of pain and poor health affect the pet’s mood, and attempts to communicate are perceived as an external irritant. An aggressive cat is a reason to visit a veterinary clinic and get advice from a veterinarian about the prerequisites for changing habits.
Sources of the problem include:
- hormonal imbalance during sexual estrus;
- pain due to injuries and damage;
- parasites, infections, arthritis;
- rabies, blockage of anal glands;
- tumors, poisoning, ischemic encephalopathy of cats;
- unpleasant symptoms of urolithiasis.
Important! Deviations in a cat's normal activities indicate serious physical health problems. Timely detection of the disease will allow you to avoid complications and help you quickly get rid of the symptoms that give rise to aggression and anger in the animal.
Early weaning
If a kitten is taken away from a cat too early, it often has problems with socialization as an adult. Pet games are associated with imitation of hunting, and deprived of the company of his brothers, the baby begins to involve people in the process.
What to do if the kitten is aggressive: try to distract it from the feet and hands of the owners with wind-up mice and balls. The owner must understand that the cub does not want to cause pain with his sharp claws, he is trying to play with him.
Antisocial kitten
Fear of man
Why does a cat become uncontrollable and aggressive: if socialization did not occur in infancy, then later the animals become fearful. Any rustle or the arrival of strangers causes fear and attempts to protect yourself at any cost. After buying a baby, you need to periodically walk him and introduce him to his fellow tribesmen and neighbors. This is the only way to avoid sudden outbursts of rage and anger.
Important! A frightened animal, even one that is properly raised and not afraid of people, can express its dissatisfaction with a threatening hiss and growl. This condition is observed in pets that have been abused.
Limited space
The family lives according to its own laws, the community is represented by a hierarchy, with one leader and subordinates, weaker animals. Leadership is not lifelong - periodically there are fights between cats with attempts to overthrow. Friendly relations between pets of the same sex are very rare, and when a second individual arrives in the family, they begin to sort out the right of residence among themselves. The hostess may also fall under the “hot paw”.
Predatory behavior
Despite living with people for centuries, cats remain predators. If they are prevented from hunting for small animals, they forget about feeding time or the need for fresh water in the drinking bowl, then the violation is immediately strictly punished. Through bites and scratches, the pet reminds that he is a relative of a lion, and not a shy gazelle.
Sexual instincts
Sexual heat causes a hormonal surge and aggressive attacks in animals. The absence of representatives of the opposite sex leads to manifestations of dissatisfaction:
- bites;
- scratches;
- loud calls;
- odor marks throughout the home;
- going to the toilet in inappropriate places.
Important! There are several ways to fight nature and instincts: use specially designed products or sterilize.
Cat scratches
Nursing mother
It can be unsafe to interact with a cat that has recently given birth. She protects blind kittens, so there is no need to be offended by hissing, scratches and attempts to bite - it is enough to provide the formidable nurse with everything she needs and not to approach the kittens again.
Aggression as a manifestation of fear
In certain situations, your pet feels cornered and defends itself if there is no way to escape. This often happens when a cat encounters an unfamiliar animal, person, or even noise. Although sometimes the owners can be frightening.
Another possible situation is events associated with less than pleasant experiences, such as a visit to the veterinarian.
During aggression, which is caused by fear, the cat tries to protect itself / webmd.com
This problem also occurs in animals that are not accustomed to people since childhood or are regularly subjected to physical punishment.
What to do about it
In such a situation, it is better to leave the pet alone for a while and give it the opportunity to come to its senses. It is important not to show fear. This behavior will only intensify if the cat realizes that you have retreated.
You should not reassure your pet; this may be perceived as encouragement. Lack of attention is the best way to deal with aggression caused by fear.
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