Aggression In & Between Cats

Is It Really Aggression?

The well-fed housecat is an unmotivated and clumsy hunter. However, your cat still has the skills and instincts of a born predator. This shows up as play; stalking, pouncing, rough-housing, tumbling across the floor, chasing anything that moves, and ambushing you or other companion animals are all feline ways of having a good time.They may even growl or hiss with each another. Unless one or both cats are screaming and snarling loudly and it looks like a cartoonish fight, you’re probably witnessing play.

However, the effect of playful “aggression” can be just as damaging and painful as the real thing! When caught in the act of playing too rough with you, gently remove the cat with a firm “No”, then direct Kitty’s attention to a toy. This will help shape your cat’s play to appropriate toys or another cat.

If your cat is an “only cat”, it can get pretty bored during the day and is often more likely to play rough with you (or your furniture, drapes, etc). You might consider getting a second cat, as this oftentimes cures the situation, rather than exacerbating it.

Finally, be sure you’re not sending your cat a mixed message. If you use your bare hands to play with a kitten, don’t be surprised if that cat happily chomps and scratches you as an adult. After all, you taught Kitty that human flesh is an appropriate toy! Even if you don’t mind some scratches and nips, your friends and family probably will – it’s better to make human flesh “off-limits” for your cat’s teeth and nails.

Fearful Aggression

Even though they have the instincts of predators, cats don’t go looking for trouble. If startled, they generally make a hasty retreat. However, if a cat is confronted with a sudden danger and it’s too late to escape, that cat may attack – with or without warning.

Cats will also fight being restrained. Any injured or frightened animal will bite or scratch. Any animal startled out of a sound sleep may attack the first thing to come into view. Most animals become possessive of food, toys, sleeping spaces, and other resources- and may defend them aggressively.

Cats are also notoriously poor at adjusting to change, whether it is something as simple as a change in furniture, or more complex, such as a new addition to the household, a move to a new household, or even outside loud, continuous noises such as neighborhood construction. The point is, any change can make your cat jumpy – and more likely to bite or scratch.

Real Aggression

A truly aggressive cat is rare. In general, cats can be quick on the defensive and will scratch and/or bite without warning if provoked a little. Or another scenario could be that for no particular reason, your cat just up and bites you. Was it a play nip? Was it for attention? Did you startle the cat? Could something else have startled the cat (including sounds that may be beyond your range of hearing)?

The overwhelming majority of these incidents are misunderstandings – the cat does not want to be touched; the cat does not want to be picked up; the cat was startled by a sudden movement or sound. The demeanor of the cat at the time of the bite is important to notice, too. Check the following characteristics: Was the tail lashing? Were the ears laid back? Did the cat growl, snarl, or hiss first? Did the cat give you a “hard stare?” These could indicate a genuinely aggressive bite.

If your cat continues to show genuine aggression towards other cats, you probably have a “one-cat household” cat. However, if your cat shows aggression to you, your cat may have medical, health or behavioral issues. In either case—aggressive behavior towards another cat or yourself—it is best to schedule a visit to your veterinarian to make sure there are no underlying physical problems. Your cat should have a thorough exam, and possibly a bloodwork panel done. Kidney, liver, urinary tract, or other problems may be the reason for your cat’s unpredictable behavior. Neurological problems can also lie behind aggression in cats. Signs of neurological issues can include sudden clumsiness in walking, twitches, head tilts, and noticeable differences in the size of the cat’s pupils. Again, in these instances, a veterinary visit is a must.

Safety First

In the case that you are bit or scratched by a cat, make certain that you immediately wash the bites and scratches thoroughly with hot water and soap (preferably a disinfectant soap or Betadine surgical scrub). Keep the cat bite wounds open so they heal from the bottom up, as they get infected easily. In addition, it is best to get medical attention for cat bites, so visit your doctor or a clinic within a couple hours after the bite if possible.

Of course, we believe the best place for your housecat is in your house. However, if your cat does go outside, these bites or scratches carry a higher risk – that of rabies. If your cat goes outside, or has just “gotten out” for a few hours, your cat should be seen by your veterinarian within 24 hours after the biting incident, should be kept indoors for the next 10 days, and should be examined by your vet again on the tenth day. This is not just good practice – in many areas this is the law.

Copyright 1992 Tree House Animal Foundation. All Rights Reserved.