Cats are great choice as pets because they are not only cute and adorable, but they are also easy to care for. However, what would you do if your cats show some aggressive behavior and they start to hurt other pets inside the house?
Cats are not only great companions to family members, but they are also source of joy and happiness as well. They are great stress reliever and great companion for elderly people. Since they are already part of the family, they are treated with love and respect just like other members of the family. However, when cats show aggressive behavior, it can be scary for everyone, especially the children.Aggressive behavior is normal in cats, but they can be destructive in dogs because they tend to bite. Cats are different because aggression is usually shown during mating and hunting but in the case of house cats, they are manifested through the scratching of furniture pieces.
If your cat shows aggressive behavior, there is usually an underlying cause why they show such aggression because normally, cats are attentive and loving towards their pet owners and other members of the family.
The common causes of cat aggression include:
Abuse or mistreatment
Lack or inadequate handling
Injury or illness
Frightening or threatening scenarios
Diet
Old age
Stressful environment
Boredom
Lack of exercise
Temperament
Abuse or mistreatment
Lack or inadequate handling
Injury or illness
Frightening or threatening scenarios
Diet
Old age
Stressful environment
Boredom
Lack of exercise
Temperament
Cat aggression can be handled and prevented by following the tips below:
Be sure to accustom your cat and kittens to being handled. It is easy to prevent aggression during early stage because you can give kittens extra care by providing them food and petting them in the head to relax them. Talk to them while petting them in the head.
Avoid encouraging cats to rough play because it encourages scratching and biting. Make sure to give them lots of toys to play with and a scratching post for scratching. Be sure to keep their nails clipped always.
Avoid punishing your pet for showing aggressive behavior because it would just worsen the problem. If your cat manifests hostility, withdraw your affection. By doing so, they are quick to realize that they are showing bad behavior towards you.
Make sure to build confidence and trust. Build trust by letting him go hungry and let him beg food from the person whom he is aggressive with. If he refuses to approach the person, let another member of the family whom he is comfortable with offer the food with the person inside the room.
When bringing a new cat to your home, start by introducing him to the environment and to other pets in the house. Let the new cat roam and be familiar with the house. For timid cats, you can place him inside a room for several days. You should remember that teaching them to overcome the said behavior requires lots of understanding, time and patience.
Be sure to accustom your cat and kittens to being handled. It is easy to prevent aggression during early stage because you can give kittens extra care by providing them food and petting them in the head to relax them. Talk to them while petting them in the head.
Avoid encouraging cats to rough play because it encourages scratching and biting. Make sure to give them lots of toys to play with and a scratching post for scratching. Be sure to keep their nails clipped always.
Avoid punishing your pet for showing aggressive behavior because it would just worsen the problem. If your cat manifests hostility, withdraw your affection. By doing so, they are quick to realize that they are showing bad behavior towards you.
Make sure to build confidence and trust. Build trust by letting him go hungry and let him beg food from the person whom he is aggressive with. If he refuses to approach the person, let another member of the family whom he is comfortable with offer the food with the person inside the room.
When bringing a new cat to your home, start by introducing him to the environment and to other pets in the house. Let the new cat roam and be familiar with the house. For timid cats, you can place him inside a room for several days. You should remember that teaching them to overcome the said behavior requires lots of understanding, time and patience.
By following the tips and suggestions above, you can address cat aggression in no time and they will become loving and adorable.
