Understanding Aggressive or Fearful Behavior of Cats

 

Understanding Aggressive or Fearful Behavior of Cats

Cats usually do respond to situations they see as threatening. For example, each and every one of us, cat lovers, is familiar with the very common following situation: the door bell rings, a person that is a stranger for the cat walks in, and the cat becomes very frightened, scared, and runs as quickly as it can to hide and find shelter in one of the rooms. Sometimes, the cat's stress and fearfulness can cause discomfort to the cat's parent. The cat's parent may feel like he or she has not done enough to make the cat happy and calm. The cat usually is very friendly when it is around familiar people. However, what could possibly cause the cat to suddenly become so scared, run away and hide?  On the other hand, some cats can become very aggressive, and even bite or scratch the owner, or other people that are considered strangers for the cat, when it becomes frightened. It is likely that you are familiar with the unpleasant situation, when a cat forcefully grabs your hand, when you simply intended to pet it.

Many people are surprised to learn that the cause of both extreme reactions of cats – whether the cat becomes very frightened and nervous or very aggressive – is the same. It is important to keep in mind and know that cats' reaction is not determined by the cats' emotions. Different cats react differently when they are exposed to certain unfamiliar or stressful situations or noises such as people that are yelling, unfamiliar loud noise, a new pet in the house, etc. The cats are indeed able to feel different emotions such as love, happiness, depression, anger, frightfulness, jealousy, joyfulness, and more. However, aggressive reaction is not linked necessarily to a certain emotion. In other words, the cat does not attack or hides because he feels like he is angry with its parent for any specific reason. For example, a cat's parent who went to seek professional consultation explained: "My cat runs and hides under the bed when I walk into the house. I'm certain that it's because my cat feels angry at me since I spend so many hours outside the house when I'm at work. "

In the described example, the cat's reaction is not a consequence of anger towards its parent. A certain stimuli can cause a certain reaction. For example, a certain loud sound, a smell of another animal on the owners' clothes or the owners' hands can cause the cat to feel threatened. Consequently, the cat might react aggressively or fearfully, in correlation with the cats' character. Often, the best way to deal with a defensively aggressive cat is to simply avoid him and leave him alone until he calms down.

Fear and aggression can occur when a cat perceives a threat, and the cat's normal, natural, and expected reaction is described as "fight or flight". In other words, if the cat feels like it cannot escape from the threat, its aggression or fearfulness may escalate. Cat's aggression includes spitting, hissing, growling, swatting, biting, scratching, puffing fur and tail, and arching back. On the other hand, fearfulness includes freezing in place or hiding. It is very important that a cat's parent understands what triggers the cat's aggressive or fearful reaction, and minimizes these triggers as much as possible.

Causes of cat's aggressive of fearful behavior can also be genetic or cognitive. Some cats are born with certain genes that trigger more aggressive or fearful behavior when they perceive threat. Cognitive aggression or fearful behavior can be caused by past negative experiences, especially when the cat was very young and tried to learn survival skills. In addition, lack of positive experiences in the cat's life during the first critical eight weeks of its life (or even less than the first eight weeks), including, for example, growing up in a very threatening, hostile, unpleasant environment can also cause the cat to adapt very aggressive or fearful behavior.

Is it possible to help a naturally frightened cat to learn to control its fear and thus, react more calmly to different triggers he perceives as threatening? It is very important that we, cat lovers, keep in mind that triggers that the cat perceives as threatening, we may not perceive as threatening, such as a ring of a door bell, and in addition, every cat has its own character, its own genes and its own perceptions that are influenced by the cat's experiences during the first weeks of his life. Try to be understanding, patience, empathetic and do not expect or force the cat to behave in a way that is not natural to him. For example, do not tempt to forcefully lift up a cat that is purposely hiding, just because you would like to show your cat to a visitor that came to your house. It is best to leave the cat alone, let him hide as long as he wants to, and let him calm down on his own.

Keep in mind that some cats like to hide in places where they feel safe, and therefore, allow your cat to find safe places in the house. It's possible, for instance, to take some cartons and cover them in a pleasant blanket, where the cat can safely hide, and enjoy the comfort of the blanket. In case the cat hides under the blanket, it's best to leave him alone, even if, for example, your new friend who came to visit you in the house would really like to see your cat. Don't be mad at your cat, don't yell and most certainly don't hit your cat, even in case your cat is aggressive, bites or scratches. Keep in mind that the aggressive behavior is caused by the cat's perception that triggers fear. The cat may feel like the "danger", such as the strange person in the house, does not leave, and therefore, the cat feels that he needs to use his survival skills. Therefore it is best to speak calmly to the cat, understand his behavior, and allow him to calm down on its own.

When the cat is allowed to calm down on its own, he will start to lick its fur, eat, or scratch its nails on its favorite scratcher. It's highly recommended that you learn what triggers the cats' fearful or aggressive reaction, and try to minimize those as much as possible. For example, if a door bell triggers a reaction with your cat, try to tell your friend to avoid using the door bell, and simply call your phone just before he or she arrives. Speak calmly to your cat and offer him a tasty snack, just before your friend, who is a stranger to your cat, arrives. The delicious snack, your petting and your calm voice just before your friend arrives will teach the cat to relax, and if that pattern of behavior is repeated, the cat will learn to associate the "threat" to a positive, not frightening experience. As a result, your cat's level of anxiety will decrease, and his aggressive or fearful reaction will gradually decrease as well.

It is also very important to keep in mind that in order to decrease the level of anxiety of your cat, a routine must be followed. As much as possible, try to keep feeding time, sleep time, play time, etc. at the same time every day. Although you might find yourself very busy, it is very important that you keep play time with your cat as part of your and your cat's daily routine. Both you and your cat will enjoy your quality time together and the cat will feel secure, loved and safe. Keep the food and water bowls at the same location in the house.  The litter box, the cat's toys and the sleeping area should also be kept in the same location in the house so that the cat will feel calm as much as possible. If, for example, you are hosting many people in your house, keep your cat alone in a room so that the cat will feel calm.

When a cat is behaving aggressively or fearfully in certain situations, but not all the time, it means that the cat is happy. The most important and determining parameter of the cat's happiness and mental well-being is how the cat behaves when he is around you, the cat's parent. Understand your cat's aggressive or fearful behavior, and always keep in mind that your cat is not angry at you, and that the cat is using a defense mechanism against a trigger that he or she conceives as a threat.

Many forms of aggression are considered normal and even expected. For example, when a new cat comes into your cat's territory, your cat will behave aggressively. Nevertheless, when an aggressive behavior is not expected, it is possible that the cat is not feeling well. For example, your cat usually enjoys being petted, however, your cat shows sudden aggression when it is being touched, it is possible that he is suffering of pain. Take the cat to a medical checkup immediately at a certified vet clinic.

Petting-induced aggression occurs when a cat suddenly feels irritated by being petted. The cat sometimes scratches or lightly bites the person petting him, and then jumps up and runs of. Don't be angry with your cat. Keep in mind that all cats have feelings, and all cats are trying to use their survival skills in different situations when they feel like it is necessary. Not all cats are capable of dealing with the full physical attention given to them by petting them. The petting itself may cause an emotional reaction that is difficult for the cat to cope with. Sometimes, you had no intention of hurting the cat, but the cat felt discomfort, possibly threatened, and therefore, reacted aggressively to defend itself. Therefore, it's recommended to pet the cat only when the cat is calm, relaxed and enjoys being touched. If the cat is naturally anxious, pet him for a very short period of time, and check his body language. Stop petting immediately when you feel that the cat is going to attack you. It's important for cat parent to understand what the cat is communicating through his body language.

A very important rule is don't touch, attempt to reassure or punish your cat when it shows a posture such as ears flattened sideways or backward on the head, eyes wide open with pupils partially or fully dilated, tail moves quickly from side to side, or twisting of the back. Use your hands to touch the cat only when you intend to pet it calmly. Allow the cat to calmly relax when you stop petting him, and then talk to him in a relaxing tone, and give him a treat. Play with your cat using toys that are specifically designed for cats.

Sometimes a cat redirects its aggression. For example, a cat inside a house sees another agitating cat or a dog through a window that he cannot get direct contact with. Unable to get the trigger of his agitation, he turns and shows aggression towards someone else who is nearby such as a person or even the parent. The behavior is interpreted by cat behavior specialists as a reflex, and not as an intentional planned type of aggression.  Therefore, it is essential to provide special toys for cats that allow him to get rid of any frustration or aggression. It is also important to provide a nice and tall scratcher that a cat can use every day. The best toys for cats are games that simulate actual hunting. Cats respond positively to toys that move like real pray. The interactive toys are great because they also keep the cat active, fit and healthy. A wonderful pet toy that cats always enjoy playing is a fishing rod toy. A fishing rod toy can be easily made at home with household materials, such as a want with feathers attached to the end of a string.

Sometimes a cat directs its aggression towards another animal such as another cat that the parent decided to adopt. The cat might feel frightened and threatened, and sometimes even feel like his life is in danger. The pet parent should always stay calm, understanding and show a lot of compassion and love towards that aggressive cat. The cat needs a lot of reassurance from the parent, that he is still loved, and that the house is still his territory, even thought there is one more cat in the house. Be patient and understand that the cat's aggression is very necessary for him. Both cats understand each other. Even the new cat will understand the other cat's aggression towards him. If you interfere and try to separate the two cats, it is more likely that the aggression will escalate and the new cat will become even more frightened. It is best to leave them alone, especially if both cats are spayed or neutered. The cats' aggression will not cause any of the cats to have a life threatening injury.

It is also recommended to keep the new cat away from the first one, by keeping him in a room. Provide a bowl of food and a bowl of water, as well as a litter box in that room so that the cat will have what he needs. After about a month, open the room and allow both cats to interact. The cats will gradually get used to each other. Keep providing separate bowls of food and water, and separate litter boxes for both of the cats. Give both of the cats love and attention equally. Both cats will learn to enjoy each other's company, and the frightened aggressive cat will no longer feel like it needs to behave aggressively since he will not feel threatened anymore.

 

Please feel free to contact us in case you have any questions. We are cat behavior specialists and we will be happy to assist you.