Interpreting Signs of Feline Aggression
Are you aware that a cat bite can land you in the burn unit of your hospital? It absolutely can! This happened to Dr. Broschay from Ash Veterinary Clinic when she spent 7 days in the burn unit of the hospital trying to save her hand after an average cat bite. A cat bite is one of the worst animal bites to get. They have hearty bacteria in their mouths, so it is one you want to avoid. Cats can be aggressive and bite for many different reasons. We at Ash Veterinary Clinic want to educate you so you can watch for signals of aggression so you avoid situations that can lead to injury of yourself or your pet. Obviously some illnesses can cause aggression in cats due to pain, infection or senility, but there may be other aggression triggers that you might not be aware of.
Play aggression is common in kittens and young cats. Typical feline behavior includes predatory acts like pouncing, stalking, biting and scratching. You may see some physical clues that your pet is in a heightened state of awareness. Look out for a lashing tail, flattened or pulled back ears and dilated pupils. Kittens raised with littermates learn how to play with appropriate intensity. Kittens raised without feline playmates may be more aggressive due to not having their mother or littermates to correct them when they get out of hand. Felines that are understimulated or lack appropriate play outlets are also common play aggressors. Aggression during petting can also have the same warning signs as play aggression. Felines with pet aggression will seek out owner’s attention but then turn on them while petting. Many cats have thresholds for physical attention. If you are petting your cat and notice a lashing tail or a tensed body, the best thing to do is walk away and give them time to relax.
Fear aggression is what we see most in veterinary clinics. Cats exhibit a defensive behavior that is directed at an unfamiliar or threatening object or situation. Fear-aggressive cats may crouch low, hiss, bare teeth and even attack if they feel threatened enough. We handle these cats in clinic with slow movements and a calm voice. In situations where we are dealing with aggressive cats, we never allow the pet’s owner to hold the pet for procedures. When your cat is in our clinic, they are in an unfamiliar environment. They may misdirect their fear and aggression towards us on you and the last thing we want is an owner getting injured by their own pet.
Cats can also be territorial animals. Most often territorial aggression is triggered by a new cat’s introduction into the home. It can also be directed toward an established cat that is bearing unfamiliar smells, possibly from a veterinary visit or another human. The cat that is the aggressor may start with growling or hissing and then proceed to chasing and attacking. The pursued cat may also develop fear and become aggressive to the attacker. In situations where you are introducing a new cat into your home, the best tool you have is a carrier. Bring the new cat in a carrier and let the established feline investigate. If any signs of aggression are shown, remove both cats and try again the next day. This may take a while to adapt the pets to each other, but it helps the pets to adjust to each other before coming face to face.
In all of these situations, the best way to handle an aggressive feline is to not handle them at all. If your pet is exhibiting any of the above signs of aggression, the best way to deal with it is to walk away. Give your cat a few minutes to calm down before approaching them again. Do not try to soothe, kiss or chase an aggressive cat. Pursuing a cat that is cornered or trying to escape can be risky. Also, if your cat suddenly becomes aggressive with you or other pets, they may be signaling that something medical is going on. If you have any questions about an aggressive cat or need to schedule an appointment, please call Ash Veterinary Clinic at 734-782-2827.
