How to Deal with an Aggressive Cat

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This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.

There are 13 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.

This article has been viewed 31,845 times.

Just like humans, cats can be aggressive at times. Often it is possible to handle a cat’s anger and calm them down. Most situations that cause cats to become aggressive are manageable. Those situations stem from fear, anxiety, lack of communication, or bad experiences in a previous life. An aggressive cat needs to be treated with patience and understanding in order to improve his behavior. However, if your cat has an aggressive nature, you should think about sending the cat to a farm where it can use it for hunting. For the safety of yourself and those who come in contact with your cat, you need to understand and control your cat’s behavior.

Table of Contents

Understanding the ferocity of cats

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Notice the cat’s behavior pattern. Cats can be confusing or unpredictable for us, but really, we just don’t understand cat body language so we don’t know what cats want to say. However, we do know for certain that there are distinct behavioral patterns associated with cat aggression. These behaviors can be classified into different categories depending on the situation, but are not mutually exclusive. ^{[1] X Research Source}

Aggressive play behavior occurs when cats play excessively.
Fear/defensive aggression occurs when the cat feels dangerous, vulnerable, or trapped.
Aggressive behavior when encroached on territory is usually seen only among cats, but can happen to humans and other animals as well.
Aggressive behavior when petted is not well understood and may stem from overstimulation.
Aggressive behavior among males stems from a natural competitive instinct among male cats.
Aggressive motherhood is a female cat’s instinctive protective response.
Aggressive redirection can occur when the cat is angry and unable to release it, and it directs the anger toward another object, such as a cat or someone nearby.
Aggressive predatory behavior comes from cats with a stimulated hunting instinct.
Aggressive behavior when in pain is the result of a past or present pain.
Idiopathic aggressive behavior occurs spontaneously, and can be a threat to the safety of those in contact with cats.

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Understand your cat’s body language. Knowing when a cat is becoming defensive or rebellious by watching its body language can be key to solving the problem. Look for signs of aggression such as:

Defensive Pose
- Shrink yourself
- Head retracted
- The tail wraps around the body and hangs down
- Eyes wide open with fully or partially dilated pupils
- Ears drooping to the sides or back of the head
- Feathers stand up
- Turn your body to the other side, do not stand directly
- Hissing or spitting up
- The front paws come out to scratch quickly, exposing the claws to the outside
Opposing Pose
- Sheer legs
- The hind legs stand straight, the back slopes down towards the head
- Tail straightened, lowered or lying on the ground
- Look
- Ears erect, slightly turned back
- Feathers stand up, including the hair on the tail
- Narrow pupils
- Facing the opponent directly, can get close to the opponent
- May growl or scream
Aggressive behavior attacks
- Use strong legs
- Bite
- Attack
- Growling, screaming
- scratch
- Prepare to strike by slithering sideways or back, baring your teeth and spreading your claws. ^{[2] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Record when the aggressive behavior took place. Do cats become aggressive in the presence of another animal or person? In many cases, aggression can be caused by a certain trigger. Pay attention to your cat’s surroundings in case she becomes aggressive, so you can find the cause and improve her behavior.

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Recognize postpartum cat aggression. Your cat may become more aggressive after giving birth. Their maternal instincts make them protect their children from potential threats. Cats will become aggressive when the mother and kittens are approached by people or other animals, which the cat may perceive as a threat. Usually cats will be aggressive towards other cats, but can also be towards people. Mother cats can be quite aggressive when it comes to protecting her young, especially within a few days of giving birth. ^{[3] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to the source} Avoid touching kittens for the first few days of their lives. Slowly get used to them.

Create a low-stress environment for your cat, keep visitors to a minimum, and avoid approaching or touching the mother cat and kittens if you have ever experienced aggressive postpartum cat behavior.

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Talk to your veterinarian or an animal behavior specialist. This is important whenever you encounter aggressive animal behavior so you can evaluate your options. Since there are so many different types of aggression, some behaviors are acceptable or not, you should make sure that what you do doesn’t make the problem worse.

Build trust

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Give the cat space. While it’s important to make sure the cat enjoys its surroundings, an aggressive cat may still be reluctant to interact with humans. Cats need their own space to have faith. Do not lure the toy in front of the cat. You should not try to force the cat to play if the cat shows no interest.

When entering a room where there is an aggressive cat, avoid eye contact and make sure the cat has a safe way out. Don’t try to approach the cat unless absolutely necessary. It’s best to let the cat come to you on its own.
If you need to hold your cat, wear thick gloves and long sleeves to avoid getting scratched by the cat. To pick up your cat, wrap the cat in a towel to minimize movement.

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Pay attention to your cat’s body language. Some cats are very excitable, and the game can turn into a tantrum. For cats, the game is often associated with learning how to hunt. Playful aggression is the most common type of behavior that owners experience in their cats. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

It is believed that when kittens play together, they will learn to bite and retract their claws when playing with prey.
The degree of practice of hunting through play varies from cat to cat, and cats that are orphaned or weaned often do not know how to control their play.
Being alone for too long, not getting the chance to play, and owners encouraging cats to play with or grab other people’s limbs are all contributing factors to aggressive play behavior. ^{[5] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Offer a variety of cat toys. Some cats like toys that they can toss around. Some cats prefer toys that their owners have to participate in playing, such as waving or baiting. Presenting games to your cat is associated with a chance of “predation,” so wave or lure the toy so it looks like a bird or mouse movement. Give your cat new toys from time to time to prevent them from getting bored with the toy. ^{[6] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Spend at least 20 minutes with your cat, twice a day. 40 minutes is not a very long time for humans, but it means a lot to the relationship between your cat and you. That will strengthen the bond between you and your pet and help your cat expend less energy.

For a really aggressive cat, you just need to stay in the room, lie on the floor, close your eyes, and place treats around you. That will give the cat time to believe that you are not a threat.
Use fishing toys to keep your cat away from you while playing.
Do not continue playing if the cat bites or scratches you, wait until the cat calms down.
Don’t let your cat play with your hands, feet, or any other part of your body. When the cat is young, this can be fun, but as the cat grows, it can be very painful and dangerous.
Do not use toys that allow your cat to play with your hands, such as gloves with balls hanging from the tips of your fingers. If you do, the cat will switch to playing with your hand.
Don’t punish your cat for hurting you. If you hit a cat, the cat will probably interpret your actions as playing or afraid of your hand.
Do not run away from the cat or block the cat’s path with your paws. Such actions can cause the cat to play more aggressively or become aggressive.

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Create a separate outdoor area for cats. A varied environment will stimulate the cat, and the cat will pay less attention to you. A separate outdoor area will not only keep your cat from running away, but it will also keep other animals out of the cat’s reach. Place other tools and toys so your cat can explore and rest there. Cats will spend hours watching leaves fall, birds flying, and squirrels running around. If you can’t create a separate outdoor area for your cat, create a pedestal next to a window where your cat can sit and enjoy the view outside.

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Try some pheromones that mimic your cat’s natural scent. They have a similar smell to the smell that cats leave when they rub their heads against objects. It can help reduce stress. Use a diffuser when necessary to reduce your cat’s aggression. ^{[7] X Research Source} Talk to a pet professional about which brands they recommend and how to use them appropriately.

Using food to control behavior

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During your cat’s mealtime, protect your cat from things that could cause them to become aggressive out of fear. Examples include loud sounds, children, other cats bullying them, and dogs. If the cat is afraid of one of these things, it may stop eating and become aggressive. Keeping the space around the cat quiet during mealtime will calm the cat.

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Use treats to reward your cat when it doesn’t act aggressively. Cats often associate eating with pleasant feelings, so food can be used as a reward to help them regulate their behavior. ^{[8] X Trusted Source Animal Humane Society Go to source} There are a number of techniques you can try:

To build trust in your cat, find a treat your cat likes and spread it around the room while you play. Hold the treats in the palm of your hand and drop them to lure the cat closer.
Expose the cat to the aggressive trigger at a safe distance, for a short time, and then reward the cat with food for the non-aggressive behavior. For example, if the cat is afraid of a certain person, that person can stand at a distance without causing the cat to show aggression.
When taming multiple cats, they can be kept in a large cage on the other side of the room, with a leash, or a seat belt, so they can see the trigger but not get out. . After a few hours, they can be brought closer. After a few training sessions, they can get closer to each other without being aggressive.

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Teach your cat to enjoy petting by using treats. Aggressive behavior when petted is poorly understood, even by the most connoisseur of animal behavior experts. Maybe it’s because some cats have sensitive spots or have little tolerance for touch. When petting your cat, watch for signs of discomfort. As soon as you notice signs that your cat is about to run out of stamina, stop petting and remove the cat from your lap. ^{[9] X Trusted Source The Humane Society of the United States Go to source}

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Try luring the aggressive mother cat away with food. This can be a simple way to distract the mother cat. When the cat is busy eating, it is an opportunity for you to take care of the kitten without being threatened by the mother cat. This can be applied during the cat’s gradual acclimatization process.

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Feed your cat on a new schedule so you can tame the cat right before mealtime. Know what actions your cat likes and use them only when practicing. Change the behavior a little from time to time, as repetitive behaviors can bore and upset your cat. ^{[10] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Feed your cat several small meals a day instead of one or two large meals to help control aggressive predatory behavior. Avoid “free feeding” (the cat’s food bowl is always full). If you can’t feed your cat several times a day, you can buy a feeder with a built-in timer that will only open on a certain schedule. Predatory aggression does not occur when the cat eats food from the bowl, but does occur when the cat assumes the object is prey. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Exposing the cat to another cat

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Let’s start slowly. Most territorial aggression occurs when another cat is present. Controlling this aggressive behavior may be similar to controlling aggressive behavior when fearful, by introducing gradual exposure.

Confine the cat in different rooms with litter, food, and water. Two cats must smell and hear each other through closed doors but must not come into direct contact with each other.
After a few days, swap the positions of the two cats. Let your cat discover the new cat’s scent, while the new arrival cat explores the house and its new friend’s scent.
Change their positions after they have had time to explore.

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Let the cats get to know each other during mealtimes. Two cats can be fed at the same time so they know how to eat comfortably together. ^{[12] X Trusted Source Animal Humane Society Go to the source} Place each cat on one side of the room, several times a day, and feed them small portions. When they are hungry and busy eating, they will gradually assume that the presence of the other cat is not dangerous.

If your cat can eat without becoming aggressive, you can bring the two food bowls closer together each day.
If cats don’t eat or become aggressive, they may be staying too close together. Try again next time, try to place them at a longer distance.

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Do not allow cats to fight by keeping the cat in a cage or on a leash on two different sides of the room. You can do this in conjunction with other approaches.

This process can take weeks or months. Signs of anxiety or aggression often indicate that getting to know each other is happening too quickly. If aggressive territorial behavior cannot be controlled, your veterinarian may prescribe medication for the aggressive cat and its victim. Remember that medication is only part of the solution; it must be used in conjunction with a gradual acquaintance with each other and with rewards for good behavior.

Intervene when the cat is too aggressive

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Do not expose your cat to the outside world. You can use an electric carpet with a light intensity, or apply double-sided tape to the window sill. Curtains are also an effective deterrent. You can prevent other animals from getting close to your home by installing sensor sprinklers, removing bird feeders, and using trash cans with tight-fitting lids.

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Wear a muzzle or isolate the aggressive mother cat. This is applied in case the kitten needs a caregiver and the mother cat does not allow it. In this case, don’t overdo it. Don’t let any cat get too stressed out. A blanket can be effective in certain situations. Remember that a mother cat’s aggression is due to her instinct to protect her young.

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Interrupt the tantrum by clapping your hands vigorously, using a water cannon, or blowing up a bag of balloons. ^{[13] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to the source} If you let your cat fight back, one or both of them will be seriously injured, potentially increasing the cat’s aggression later in life. If this type of aggression is not brought under control soon, it can turn into fear aggression. ^{[14] X Research Source}

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Do not punish the cat because the cat is angry. Even yelling at a cat can make things worse. Teach your cat how to be calm by keeping yourself calm. Your temper can make your cat even more aggressive.

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Always remember that kittens are smaller than you. While a cat can hurt you, you can also injure a cat. When the cat becomes aggressive, do not throw the cat away from you. The cat may be afraid of you, or get hurt when you fall.

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Give the cat time to calm down. When the cat plays too hard, end the game by walking out of the room. Don’t try to pick up the cat and take it to another room to calm down, it can make the cat angry. When you do this, take it easy. You should not provoke a chase.

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Do not comfort the cat. This action may make your cat think you’re encouraging its aggressive behavior. Visitors should not run away or show fear, as that will make the cat understand that it can drive away guests it does not like. Ignoring the cat in this case will be an effective method. ^{[15] X Research Source}

Seek medical help

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Spaying for cats. Male cats that have not been neutered are often aggressive towards each other. Spaying them is the best way to control this aggression. ^{[16] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to source} Although these males may exhibit other aggressive behavior, this is usually between males.

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Resolve or relieve their pain. This is the best way to control aggression when it comes from illness or grief. Aggressive behavior because of pain results from pain, frustration, and deprivation and can be directed toward people, animals, or objects. Any animal, including humans, can get angry when in pain. So even a friendly, docile cat can get angry when it’s in pain, when someone touches a wound, or when it’s in pain and someone is about to pick it up. ^{[17] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source}

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Take cats with aggressive behavior problems to the vet for a checkup and health problems. Pain from arthritis, toothache, and fighting injuries are often the causes of cats becoming aggressive. By knowing the cause early, you can avoid aggressive behavior due to pain in your cat. Not seeing the doctor early can make the problem worse.

The cat’s pose is usually for defense. A cat who doesn’t like being touched will show anger in pain to avoid being touched.
This behavior may also be related to a past grief. For example, a cat that has had its tail stuck in a door will continue to protect its tail even though the pain has long since gone. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

Advice

If your cat is just a little bit aggressive and needs a little exercise, walk her on a leash in a safe location where she can explore outside. To be on the safe side, make sure your cat always wears an identification tag on her collar when going outside. It may take a little while for your cat to get used to this. Take short walks at first, then slowly extend the time you take the cat outside.
In certain situations, cat aggression towards other cats can stem from boredom. Change the cat’s toys often so that the cat doesn’t get bored. Use cardboard boxes, paper bags, wrapping paper, and toys to encourage your cat to explore. Cats also love to watch birds, squirrels, and other small animals. An aquarium with a school of swimming fish can attract the cat’s attention, or place a bird and squirrel food box outside the window so the cat can observe them during the day. You can also use cat videos. It includes close-ups of birds and small animals. Many cats can spend hours watching those videos, watching the animals move, growling or stalking right in front of the screen.

Warning

Cats can cause permanent and life-threatening injuries. Eye injuries from claws, and infections from bites or scratches may require urgent treatment. Feral, free-range, and domestic cats can carry rabies, and a cat’s scratch can cause an illness with flu-like symptoms, called Cat Scratch Fever. ^{[20] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

Steps