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Published in the Greenleaf: Health Matters in the February, 2003 issue
The Many Faces of Feline Aggression
By MICHELLE BAMBERGER
Perhaps the most worrisome type of aggression diagnosed in cats is that directed towards people. Which type of aggression is shown will depend on many factors, including the age, background and general health of your cat. Cats and kittens not raised with littermates or playmates often show play aggression. To avoid reinforcing this type of behavior, never play with your kitten by offering your hands as play objects; instead use a fishing pole toy or toss objects to your cat. Also, it is important to remember that many cats have petting limits, meaning that after just three or four pets, you may get bitten or scratched. Take petting-induced aggression seriously. If your cat attacks you or another pet after becoming aroused by something else, for instance a dog seen outside the window, this is known as re-directed aggression. In these cases, calm your cat by moving him into a quiet room. Do this by herding him or putting a cardboard box (open end down) over him and sliding it along slowly to the room. Once in the room, leave him there under the box with the lights off for a short while. If your cat is old or ill, you may have experienced pain-induced-aggression. Determine and treat the cause of the pain if you have not already done so. A cat that has recently had kittens may exhibit maternal aggression. It's best to keep your distance until the kittens are older, and if you must approach, gently restrain the queen.
Some cats become fearful of new situations, including people, or try to control situations. If your cat stalks and attacks visitors, he is showing fear aggression. Avoid these situations by isolating the cat when people visit and warn your visitors of your cat's behavior. Cats that block doorways or balk when removed from your bed or furniture are showing dominance or status-induced aggression. It's best to ignore these cats and give them your attention when they are relaxed and behaving.
Besides attacking people, cats may also turn on each other (an example is re-directed aggression noted above) or other animals. Cats that chase and kill wildlife and small pets are showing predatory aggression. If possible keep your cat separated from your other pets and do not let him outside if his killing wildlife disturbs you. Cats with predatory aggression may also turn on infants and toddlers; bell your cat so you can be more aware of his whereabouts. Another example of cats aggressing against each other is territorial aggression: when a cat attacks a new cat, a cat returning from the vet hospital or a stay at a kennel. To prevent this type of aggression, restrict the new cat to a room off-limits to the others. Gradually introduce this cat over a period of a few weeks; if done slowly enough, the transition will be smooth. Cats may also become fearful of each other (fear aggression); in these cases, reintroduce the cats by feeding each cat tasty treats when in each other's presence.
Whatever the type of aggression, there are some general principles which may be helpful when trying to prevent or manage aggression in cats:
· To avoid conflicts between cats, keep the number of cats in the household as low as possible.
· Be sure to neuter all cats before or by the time they reach social maturity (two-four years of age).
· Catch your cat behaving well and reward with a tasty treat.
· Avoid situations that provoke aggression in your cat.
· Be aware of the signs of aggression in your cat and try to startle your cat out of the aggression by use of a water pistol or air canister. You may also try to distract him with play or a treat but keep in mind that to be successful, you must do this just before he demonstrates his aggression (stalking, scratching, biting), not after.
· Bell your cat so you can be more aware of his exact whereabouts.
· If two cats are fighting, keep them separated and reintroduce them very slowly.
· Do not use verbal or physical punishment when your cat misbehaves; this will only serve to make your cat fearful and may exacerbate the aggression.
· Make sure your cat has a safe place to go, away from children or other pets.
If you follow these basic recommendations and are still unable to manage your cat's aggression, it is better to seek help sooner than later to avoid reinforcement of the aggression. A veterinary behaviorist can recommend behavioral and environmental management techniques and, if necessary, prescribe medication for the problem.
Michelle Bamberger (mjb57@cornell.edu) is a veterinarian and owner of Vet Behavior Consults (www.vetbehaviorconsults.com), a practice based in Ithaca and devoted exclusively to solving behavioral problems in small, large and exotic animals.