Cat-Human Aggression

Cat aggression is a common behavior problem and can be quite severe. Cats have five potential weapons that they can use against you when they become angry—their teeth and four clawed paws. Aggressive cats can be risky to have in your home as they pose a real danger to family and visitors. Cat bites can be painful, become inflamed, and may lead to an infectious disease called Cat Scratch Fever.

Aggression in cats falls into several categories. If you have a cat with an otherwise sweet disposition, you might see spouts of aggression when you visit your vet, vacuum the house, or when the cat experiences other loud noises. Such outbursts are examples of fear aggression and usually subside once the cause of the cat’s anxiety is addressed. A more lingering type of aggression is related to petting, brushing, and general handling by humans. We might see such outbursts in rehomed cats that have suffered trauma, been mishandled, or had other reasons to mistrust humans in the past. These cats can develop tactile issues later in life and have a very low tolerance for petting and brushing. Cats will also show aggression to guard their territories, defend their offspring, and protect themselves if they feel attacked. Such types of aggression might appear if you introduce your cat to a new partner, a new baby, or other pets, or if you redecorate your house.

When we have a pet cat, we need to respect their boundaries and understand their body language. Every cat will show you through their body postures if you have gone too far and need to back away. In caring for a cat with tactile issues, we must use specific petting techniques, and if you have children, you must teach them the proper way to handle and play with your cat. This advice is relevant for adults, too. NEVER use your hands, feet, or other body parts to play with a new kitten! You might think it is cute when they bite or wrestle with your hands, but you are, in fact, teaching your cat that it is okay to attack you—and cats do not stay kittens with soft baby teeth forever!

If you struggle with cat-human aggression, Smiling Kitty can help! Our expert behavior modification plans will address the most common sources of feline aggression. We will guide you through the process of re-training your cat, rebuilding damaged cat-human relationships, and show you how to modify your play and petting techniques to prevent spouts of aggression. We can also assist with initial cat-child introductions and help you make their first meeting as successful as possible. Lastly, please note that a sudden onset of cat aggression can be a sign of underlying, serious health issues, so be sure to take your cat to the vet before making an appointment with us! Click here to read our section on cat-child introductions!