Cat Aggression
Cat Aggression - A Problem
Cat aggression is a problem that many pet owners face. Their cute little kitty that was cuddly and affectionate becomes more like a wild animal. Most owners are confused and unhappy when this happens. There are, however, steps you can take if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation. We will take a look at some of the different types of cat aggression and how to recognize them.
If you know your cat well, you should have no problem noticing even the slightest of behavioral changes. If you notice a sudden increase in your cat’s aggressive behavior, the first thing you should do is rule out any medical problems, by a routine visit to the vet. Medical issues are often responsible for this behavior.
A Pet Behaviorist
If you’ve ruled out any significant medical problems, you can try taking your cat to a behaviorist. The behaviorist can run a series of tests to try to determine the type and cause of the cat aggression. Here are some of the most common types of cat aggression:
- Fear
- Predatory
- Territorial
The first type is known as fear aggression. This could result from a number of different factors. Your cat may begin to act aggressively in response to punishment during training. Cats are much more sensitive than dogs usually, so great care must be taken when training them. This fear aggression may also result from being placed in unfamiliar surroundings. Under these circumstances, be as friendly and gentle as you can.
The second type of cat aggression is predatory aggression. Cats have a natural instinct for hunting, which is not necessarily a problem unless they begin to turn that aggression toward people, especially children. Other pets could also be in danger from this type of aggression.
Other types of cat aggression are related to social and territorial factors. If a cat is not trained properly, it may act aggressively to try to dominate social situations. This is where you, as the owner, must step in and teach your pet who is really in control. Cat aggression can also result from another person or pet entering what your cat considers to be its territory.
Certain changes to the cat’s environment may be necessary to stop the aggressive behavior. If no other measure seems to work there are drug therapies that have shown success in treating this condition. The most important thing is to take the necessary steps to alter the behavior of the cat before someone gets hurt.
