Articles of Interest

Nothing spoils your expectations of a happy relationship with a cuddly kitty than the problem of aggressive cat behavior. A cat scratch or bite can be more than just painful at the time. Cats have a considerable amount of bacteria on their claws and especially in their mouths and these injuries can easily become infected.

But there's no need to be overly worried about the problem of aggressive cat behavior when you can do something about it. Beginning from the time a new cat or kitten enters your home, aggressive behavior extending beyond the boundaries of simple play should be discouraged.

Kittens will naturally exhibit some degree of aggressive behavior since it is instinct for them to stalk and capture prey. However, it's important for the new pet owner to teach the kitty appropriate behavior. The kitten needs strict limits for his behavior and substitutes he can use to vent his aggression. Your first thought may be "How cute!" when your kitten viciously attacks you with little bites and claws. At this point you have to think of the future and tell your kitty a forceful "No!" What is cute now won't be so cute when kitty has grown to adulthood.

Cats, including kittens, should have a supply of toys and scratching posts that are designed to be scratched and otherwise played with aggressively. Make sure that they know not to scratch or bite you or other humans. When cats behave well, reward them with treats and kind words. Don't hit a cat to punish it, as this will make the cat more aggressive and ruin its relationship with you.

A cat that is ill or stressed out is unable to tell you in words, so he may display aggressive behavior to get your attention. If you pet begins showing aggression you haven't seen before, be sure to take him to the vet immediately to have it checked out. A pet can become stressed by such things as changes in your household or his diet, loud noises, or having a new pet invading his territory. If you can, introduce your kitty to changes gradually in order to reduce his stress. Lower stress levels should result in less aggressive behavior.

Some think aggressive cat behavior may also be caused in part by the diet, so discuss this with the veterinarian as well. Obesity may cause joint pain in older cats, so weight loss can improve both mood and health. Again, speak with a vet because to rapid a loss can be dangerous and even fatal to a cat.

Make sure that you pay attention to the body language of your cat. An over-stimulated feline can quickly turn and show aggressive behavior, just like when a cat goes from purring to biting in the flash of an eye. Danger signs include a flicking tail, an arched back, and pulling back of the ears, which should warn you to back away from the cat. Starting behavioral training early in a cat's life and reinforcing good behavior will pay dividends for years and years by teaching the cat good habits at an early age.