The cat became aggressive and attacks the owner. What to do?

What causes sudden aggression in cats? Why does a cat attack its owner for no apparent reason? What could be the prerequisites and what should be done in this case? In the article, we talked about breeds prone to aggression and considered options for response.

Usually a gentle and affectionate domestic cat, the family favorite with a loud purr and soft paws sometimes turns into a hissing, scratching monster in a second. Owners are often faced with such dramatic changes in the behavior of their beloved pets and do not know what they should do. Let's try to figure out what causes unexpected changes and what to do about it.

What to do about cat aggression

Methods of influencing aggressive kittens

The younger the animal is, the easier it is to socialize it. Therefore, there is always less hassle with a kitten than with adults of either sex. If possible, you should try to find out if the pet’s parents have similar character traits. Hereditary ones are more difficult to correct, but with proper upbringing you can achieve a lot.

The younger the animal is, the easier it is to socialize it.

The main principle of interaction with a kitten is conflict-free communication. It is necessary to take into account the desires of the animal and, if it wants, for example, to sleep or be alone, there is no need to force affection and games on it. This will not achieve mutual understanding. On the contrary, the kitten will begin to distrust and fear the owner. The consequences will only be negative. It is necessary to find out what causes the kitten’s aggression and eliminate this factor.

How does aggression manifest in a cat?

The severe nature of an aggressive pet is externally manifested:

Hissing, growling, loud meowing
Twitching in the back area
Raising the wool
Arching your back
Swinging a paw

Changes in the animal's behavior signal to the owner that the cat is not happy and is ready to attack. During this period, do not tease your pet, do not provoke it, behave calmly. In the presence of a cat, do not make sudden movements, speak kindly. Your pet should feel safe.

The owner's actions in response to aggression

If we are talking about a kitten that is excessively active during play, it is recommended to play with the baby more often with a toy with a string on a stick. This way he will be able to waste excess energy, after which he can be caressed and stroked. You need to make it clear to the small pet that you do not allow him to attack you; to do this, you can firmly grab him by the withers for a while, showing that you are in charge here. Experienced owners also suggest a method of calming with a spray bottle. Splashes of water cool the ardor.

When it comes to an adult with suddenly enlarged pupils, waving its tail and frozen in a hunter's pose, the first thing you need to do is remain calm. Do not make sudden movements and under no circumstances attempt to use physical force. Slowly move away to a safe distance, try to distract the animal with a toy. The spray bottle method can also help, keeping the cat switched and occupied for at least a while. As punishment, it is enough to leave the animal alone for at least an hour.

Punish the animal

Remember that in all cases violence begets violence. Punishment, whether verbal or physical, will cause repeated aggression

Never hit a cat!

As punishment, grab the cat by the scruff of the neck, this is a gesture of behavioral superiority. Take the animal out of the room and leave it alone for a while. It is possible to retrain a pet at any age, but the older it is, the more work and patience will be required from you.

Punishment will only cause retaliatory aggression

Engage in education

Raising a cat doesn't end when it's no longer a kitten. Just as you can spoil an animal at any age, you can also instill in it good habits. It is important that your pet understands that you are not equal to him, and that you are in charge here. In parenting, you should not succumb to provocations: if you decide to teach your cat a lesson by being alone, plaintive meows should not make you change your intentions.

Caress treatment

Not the safest, but effective way to combat aggressive behavior is treatment with affection. Noticing that the cat's mood is changing, arching its back, flattening its ears, waving its tail from side to side, caress it with all the tenderness that you have. The aggressor will have no one to fight with and nothing to fight for. The animal will feel safe and calm.

Types of aggression in cats

Aggression often develops as a result of the appearance of a child in the family.
There are several types of aggression that can develop in a pet:

Intraspecific - occurs when there is enmity between two animals. Two pets find themselves close to each other without having time to get to know each other at a distance. The result is a struggle for status and territory.
Redirected - happens when some irritating action constantly occurs near the pet. So, an animal may see another cat outside the window, but not be able to drive it away from the territory - aggression is taken out on the owner.
The answer to affection is that the cat does not want to be petted. Often a person does not notice warning signs - the pet twitches its tail, the body is tense, and there is no rumbling heard. If the owner continues to pet the irritated animal, the attack will not be long in coming.
Reaction to fear - the pet is driven into a corner, he sees no other way out but to attack the offender. Visual signs of fear in a cat are a tail tucked under the body and a closed, compressed posture. Children often become aggressors - they frighten the animal with loud sounds and annoying actions.
Protecting territory - a cat often bites and scratches when its personal boundaries are violated. She hisses, takes fighting stances, raising his fur.
Pain is the main stimulus for a cat to show aggression. If some place hurts, it is better not to touch her. Often the owner is unaware of the pet's health problem. These could be diseases or injuries.
Excitement in the game - often young cats or kittens painfully bite the owner’s legs and arms during the game. The reason lies in upbringing. If a kitten is orphaned early or separated from its mother, aggression develops.

Attention! Aggression in three- and eight-month-old kittens is often caused by changing teeth.

Features of the manifestation of cat aggression

The reasons for a cat's bad behavior lie in its psychology. As a rule, most cats are not prone to unmotivated aggression.

A mentally healthy animal never attacks, scratches or bites for no reason. Most often there is some external irritant.

The most common causes of aggression in cats include the following:

defending oneself or one's territory;
sexual arousal;
pain.

Kittens that have been abused may also exhibit aggressive behavior.

Domestic cats are generally not aggressive

The owner should understand the reasons for the animal’s anger. If a cat is constantly under stress, over time its psyche will become unstable, and it will truly become inadequate.

Aggression towards other animals (cats and dogs)

A striking example is the aggression of a mother cat when danger appears for her kittens. Such cat “negativity” can manifest itself both towards people and animals. Therefore, it is better not to disturb the mother cat and her offspring again. The place where she is with the kittens must be safe so that the cat is calm and that her babies are not in danger.

Enmity between two or more cats can also turn into aggression. They can fight for territory or simply “find out” which of them is stronger by meeting in open territory. Aggressive relationships arise between animals if one of them was recently brought into the house, and the other has been living in it for a long time, and even if the cats have been living in the same territory for a long time, then something can provoke their mutual aggression.

Sometimes a cat attacks and bites, reacting to a stimulus it sees and hears, to which it does not have access, so it takes out its feelings on those it can reach - household members or animals, even if they have done absolutely nothing to it. This is especially common in cats of oriental breeds. This phenomenon is called redirected aggression. At the same time, it may seem that the cat begins to fight for no reason at all. At the same time, the animal can remain so “reactive” for quite a long time.

Aggression over the division of territory can also manifest itself in “war” between species.

Cats often share a home with other pets, including those of the same species. And each of them may have their own reasons for “evicting” their opponent. In a cat, territorial type aggression can be directed towards various living objects - people, other animals, regardless of their species. But most often these are other cats. In this regard, it is dangerous to keep two sexually mature males in an apartment, as life will turn into a complete nightmare.

And even if the animals previously tolerated each other completely normally, but at some point one of them returned, for example, from the veterinarian, carrying a lot of unfamiliar (and even somewhat scary) odors, then the pet, staying at home at this time, unexpected aggression may arise. Since representatives of the feline family recognize members of their pride by their smell, if the absent animal comes back and smells different from everyone else, then it may be mistaken for a stranger. Much the same thing happens when one of the owners, who has been absent for a long time, returns home, then at first the cats may not accept him and behave aggressively.

Causes

Cat attacks may not be as destructive as large dog attacks, but they can be painful, both psychologically and physically. However, they cannot be ignored. First of all, you need to find out where this behavior comes from. These may include the following:

Fear . In most cases, a cat rushes at its owner out of fear. Fear incapacitates a cat and causes it to attack people and other animals. They usually don't do this on purpose; they're just out of sorts. You can help your little feline friend cope with his fears by giving him access to a safe place. This could be anything from a little-used shed in the yard to a nearly empty storage room in the garage. If their fear seems to be at an extreme level, you may need to contact your veterinarian.
Disease . Unusual aggression in normally docile cats may be a sign of health problems. Sometimes when a cat is sick, it may attack you. If it seems like this could be the cause of the behavior, schedule a visit to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Misrepresented game . Cats chase each other around the house, attack each other and fight over toys. In other words, they love to play. However, they must understand the difference between unacceptable and acceptable play. This way they won't confuse biting or scratching with play. One way to control your cat's excitement and prevent her from lashing out during play is to give her plenty of toys. Also, keep in mind that cats get bored easily, so add a new toy to their pile from time to time.
Hunting instinct . This is a cat's instinct to hunt. Although they usually do not perceive you as their victim, some situations may be the exception. The first is when they want to practice their stalking and attacking skills on you. You could be walking around your house, minding your own business, and get attacked out of nowhere. Of course, it won't be an actual attack, but it will be painful, with several bloody scratches on your calf. Redirecting your cat's attention to his toys rather than his feet is a great way to discourage this behavior. You can make your cat chase a dot with a laser pointer, or play hunting with a toy mouse or insect.
Territorial behavior . The presence of an intruder, usually in the form of another cat, can be enough to cause our feline friends to revert to their baser instincts. Having another cat can sometimes stress your pets and cause them to become aggressive. This aggression towards animals invading their territory can be transferred to you, or more precisely, to your hand, when you try to pet them, the cat lunges at you.
Maternal instinct . Kittens can provoke the mother cat to attack the owner. You may have been responsible for raising your feline companion and giving her a home, but she will be far from sane when you try to pet her while she is feeding her kittens. You can say you don't want to cause harm as much as you want, but some kittens' moms just won't stand for it.
Pain . Your cat may lunge at you due to pain. The explanation could be so simple. This is quite understandable since even we tend to lash out at others when we feel uncomfortable. Of course, we're not inclined to create a bloody mess, but nevertheless, we get to where our feline friend came from. As for where their pain is coming from, you may need to consult your veterinarian about this.
Overstimulation . Sometimes petting can overstimulate a cat's senses and cause discomfort. This leads to cats lunging at the person petting them. Some signs that your petting is causing excitement are changes in body position, loud meows, quivering skin, and flapping of the tail.
It would seem there is no reason . Cats may attack you for no reason. Although it is rare, it can be difficult to diagnose when it occurs.

How to distinguish anger from aggression

True aggression is always a spontaneous reaction, the reasons for which are many. It is not possible for a person to predict what exactly a pet may not like and cause a negative reaction in him. Aggression does not appear all the time and is always justified. Most often it is observed in temperamental animals, intelligent and with developed intuition. This must be taken into account when deciding how to stop a cat from biting.

True aggression is always a spontaneous reaction

If an adult cat is taken into the house, its increased aggressiveness is most often a manifestation of a defensive reaction. In this way, the animal sought to protect itself earlier, being in street conditions. It is more difficult to socialize an animal that has been homeless, but nothing is impossible for a loving owner.

Animals taken from the shelter also do not make contact with humans for a long time and treat them with caution. Many owners of such cats report that their pets began to trust them only after a year or more.

Two types of aggression should be distinguished:

reaction to an external stimulus;
abnormal, caused by organic brain damage.

In the first case, there is every chance to independently minimize and eliminate the manifestation of negativity; in the second, the help of a specialist is required.

Classification of forms of aggression according to Moyer

Researcher Moyer classified forms of aggression in cats and dogs, and refuted the common belief that an animal attack is an element of feeding behavior caused by hunger. This was confirmed in the works of other scientists.

According to their research, the most common causes of inappropriate behavior are:

the instinct of a predator seeking to suppress a rival whom the animal considers obviously weak and perceives as a victim;
intraspecific aggression between males;
fear;
feeling of insecurity from danger;
physical pain;
maternal aggression, manifested in the desire to protect their offspring in any way;
sexual, expressed in the struggle for a mating partner;
a learned reaction that occurs when someone tries to “pay off” an aggressive animal or appease it with a treat;
gaming;
redirection of physiological pain or mental discomfort to surrounding objects, animals and people;
conscious aggression, which is the result of negative interpersonal relationships between an animal and a person;
the result of the manifestation of such feelings and character traits as conflict, the desire for self-affirmation and dominance, jealousy.

Signs your cat is about to become aggressive

Cat attacks happen more often than they should because many owners fail to recognize signs of impending aggression in cats.

Defensive posture

A frightened cat may adopt a submissive or defensive posture, which entails:

Erect fur
Tucked-in tail
Squatting position
Hiss
Flattened and pointed ears
Don't meet your opponent face to face

Offensive posture

When a cat takes this position, it tells you that it is about to attack. Avoid cats that show the following signs:

Faces the enemy face to face
The tail is straight and pointed downwards
Fur costs
Steps forward
Looks your opponent straight in the eyes
Growls
Rectangular ears

Hissing as a character trait

In some cases, a cat's hissing is a consequence of a manifestation of character. There are breeds of cats that hiss due to their inherent temperament, for example, Siamese.

Representatives of active cat breeds may hiss with insufficient physical activity.:

egyptian Mau,
turkish van,
Abyssinian,
Cornish Rex,
oriental and others.

Most furry cats, such as Persians, do not like to be stroked after washing, and hairless cats will become angry if touched with a cold hand. In addition, hairless cats are talkative and their hissing is everyday, not necessarily an expression of aggressiveness.

What should an owner do if a cat bites and attacks?

You can understand what to do if a cat attacks its owner using the reason for its aggressiveness. The problem that arises can be solved by proper education or treatment.

Bring up

Regardless of the reason for the pet’s inappropriate behavior, retaliatory aggression on the part of the owner is unacceptable. Animals respond best to being ignored. If the attack occurs while playing together, demonstratively leave the room and do not come into contact with the cat until it realizes its mistake.

Education begins from the first days of the appearance of a mustachioed pet in the house. If the moment has already been missed, then more time will be required. It is more difficult for adults to overcome established habits than for kittens.

The following recommendations will be useful for retraining your cat:

Avoid playing with your hands. Reconsider your arsenal of toys in favor of teasing fishing rods and mice that are suitable for displaying the hunting instinct.
Don’t break away when another conflict arises. Gently remove your hand when the grip loosens and leave the room immediately.
Buy a scratching post. Make sure the type you choose is suitable for your pet. The scratching post will not only shorten the length of the claws, but will also absorb some of the energy.
Use a spray bottle. A jet of water is the ideal tool to prevent unwanted actions.
Get another pet. If the cause of aggression lies in a lack of attention, then an additional playmate will quickly solve the problem.

Be patient. Over time, your efforts will definitely bring results.

Treat

If a disease is detected, the problem is eliminated after it is cured. Prolonged and frequent attacks require a mandatory check with a veterinarian.

A cat with an unsatisfied sexual instinct will have to undergo castration. If you have a mental disorder, you will need long-term drug treatment, but rabies cannot be cured. The patient will have to be isolated in a special box to confirm or refute the disease. A positive prognosis is only possible if you are vaccinated against the virus.

How to calm your pet

At any age, a cat's behavior can be corrected. It is better to start training your pet when it is still small.

Prohibition of physical punishment

You won't be able to train a cat like a dog. These animals have completely different thinking and perceptions of humans. After physical punishment and shouting, the cat associates the owner with danger; she does not perceive him as a leader.

The key to success is patience and perseverance

When communicating with a furry pet, they act patiently, but persistently achieve their goals.
When stroking, when the pet behaves calmly, he is given a treat. The animal should feel cared for and affectionate. The owner is perceived as a source of goodness and something good. Otherwise, friendship will not work.

As soon as the cat begins to get irritated and show signs of hostility (sharply swish its tail, hiss, arch its back), all communication is stopped.

The pet is not approached, ignored for some time, and he understands that friendly communication with the owner brings more benefits than aggression.

Cat toys

The best way to relieve stress in the confined space of a city apartment are special toys.

A rubber mouse, a small ball, or a string will entertain the animal, it will spend excess energy on games, and the owner’s legs and arms will remain intact.

Correct behavior

A cat can and should be taught to understand the word “no”. Pets are raised from an early age. There are studies proving that kittens raised next to humans are more sociable, affectionate, and rarely show aggression.

The animal is often played with using toys; it is not recommended to use your hands. Any contact is rewarded with a treat.

When a kitten is played with by hand and it bites heavily into its limbs, they clap their hands sharply or shake it with a baby rattle. Cats do not like sharp sounds, after several repetitions the animal will understand: if you bite the owner hard, a sharp sound will immediately follow.

The second option: unclench the jaws of the animal that is clinging to your hand, and strictly say: “No!” The offending kitten is suspended and all contact is temporarily stopped.

You cannot force affection on cats; you must wait until the pet itself jumps into your arms, showing trust. Over time, he will understand that he needs to be more careful while playing.

Methods to combat aggression in cats

What to do if a cat lunges at its owners? In fact, there are few options in this situation. Your main task will be to make the animal understand that aggression is unacceptable, and that any manifestation of it will be immediately punished. Try the following cat training methods:

After your pet attacks you, it must be punished immediately. Scold him loudly, shame him. You can also spray the cat with a spray bottle of water several times.
Try to play with your cat more often and spend more time with it. This will help her burn off excess energy and she will be calmer.
If the owner is attacked by a cat, the cat should not be allowed to sleep with her for several nights, and the animal should not be allowed into the bedroom. If the cat meows and scratches near the door, ignore her attempts to get into the room. This method will show the animal who is boss in the house, and, ultimately, the cat will behave calmer.

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Remember that you need to punish a cat not so much with physical methods as with psychological ones. The use of force in such cases can only aggravate the situation and make the animal even more inadequate. Focus on making your cat understand which of his actions are unacceptable and cause your displeasure.

It would be a good idea to contact a veterinarian in such a situation. The specialist will be able to give more detailed recommendations on raising a cat, and will also check for the presence of pathophysiological disorders in the animal.

What to do and how to stop a cat from attacking its owners

At the very beginning of the fight against aggression in cats towards their owners, as well as, indeed, with any behavioral changes in them, you should show the animal to a veterinarian. He will examine the pets so that medical reasons for this behavior can be ruled out. Otherwise, while the animal suffers and suffers due to poor health, the owner will make fruitless attempts to correct its behavior. And only after a veterinarian can you contact an animal behavior specialist or take measures yourself. In no case should you leave everything to chance.

Since scratching and biting are considered normal expressions of feline emotions (provided that this is the “norm of life” for the cat, and only a temporary phenomenon), then if it becomes permanent, it is necessary to act. Screams and punishments cannot be dealt with here; they will only lead to resentment, which the cat will harbor and will subsequently take revenge. First of all, you need to establish the reason for this behavior.

For example, if a pet was chosen as an object by one of the household members, then it is possible that the reason is precisely this person. Perhaps he constantly screams and swears at others, and this angers the cat.

Fruitless attempts to attract attention can also irritate the cat when he tries with all his might to show his owners that he needs something from them, but they completely notice this. If an animal needs attention, you just need to give it to it, and not scold it.

If a cat bites and scratches due to anxiety and fear, for example, due to the appearance of strangers in the house or another animal, moving to another place of residence, etc., then the animal needs to be given time to get used to these innovations. During this period it is better to leave him alone. So, dragging out a hidden cat to guests is not a good idea. He needs time to get used to the new smells, and then he will be able to go out on his own. Or, having moved to a new apartment, you should give the animal the opportunity to sniff everything and get used to it, and until then it is better not to pick it up or pet it.

It happens that aggressive behavior is provoked by some things or creatures in the house. For example, if a cat is forbidden to touch aquarium fish or a bird in a cage, while instinct demands the opposite from it, then the animal experiences cognitive dissonance, resulting in anger. And he will take it out on the one who does not allow him to carry out actions dictated by nature, that is, on the owner. There are two options here - eliminate the irritant or get used to the fact that the pet will not behave quite adequately.

If the owners have played with the kitten since childhood using their hands, fingers or feet, then the kitten will perceive them as toys. Therefore, before you wean your cat from rushing and biting, you should stock up on objects to which you need to switch his attention. It is believed that in order to prevent unwanted actions of a cat and teach him to stop them, you need to clap your hands. This will trigger the animal’s reflex – after the bite there will be a sharp sound, which he would like to avoid.

Also, a pet can bite and scratch due to lack of movement, which means that it needs to be provided with the opportunity to splash out energy.

If a cat lacks personal space, then it can show not only anxiety, but also its aggressive behavior. It may just be a reaction to one of the odors that cats cannot stand (vinegar, essential oils, garlic or citrus fruits).

The nuances of raising a kitten from the first days of life together

In order to raise a kitten to be obedient and affectionate, you need to know the characteristics of the periods of its development. And in each of them apply the most appropriate methods of influence.

They begin raising the baby immediately after the completion of the period of adaptation to the new place of residence.

They begin to raise the baby immediately after the completion of the period of adaptation to the new place of residence. The first and main concern at this time is litter box training. This must be done affectionately, calmly and persistently. Many cats immediately understand what is wanted from them and begin to perceive the litter box as their latrine.

Immediately after a kitten appears in the house, they carefully observe it, trying to find out what kind of character the pet has. Punishment, even with the best intentions, is unacceptable. The kitten is not yet able to understand what exactly caused the owner’s dissatisfaction, and physical pain will only cause fear or resentment.

With systematic punishment, the animal will develop character traits such as aggressiveness and bitterness. Or on the contrary: the animal will become downtrodden and fearful. In the first six months, it is recommended to avoid situations that are stressful for your pet: noisy feasts and parties.

What else do veterinarians advise?

Sterilization is often the only way to avoid cat temperament. A safe operation changes the animal’s hormonal background, making it more balanced, sometimes even more affectionate.

If you are faced with the problem of unexplained outbursts of aggression in your pet, you should remember that everything happens for a reason. We need to figure out what is bothering the cat, why it needs to protect itself and from whom. The first symptoms of anger will help relieve your calmness, love and care in all forms. At the slightest suspicion of a health threat, ensure that your pet visits a specialist.