Normal Cat Behavior
It’s common for cats to engage in play fighting and wrestling. This is a normal social behavior, especially between young kittens and cats under 3 years old. Play fighting helps cats develop hunting skills and learn social boundaries.
During play fights, cats will chase each other, pounce, leap, and gently bite or “box” with their paws. They typically take turns being the aggressor. Their ears are up and forward, and their claws usually remain sheathed. The cats may vocalize with meows, growls or yowls that do not convey anger or distress. Overall, the mood is relaxed.
Play fights often occur in short, energetic bursts followed by resting or grooming periods. The cats take breaks to catch their breath and reaffirm social bonds by rubbing heads. Serious injuries are rare, though scratches or small punctures can happen. Cats tend to self-handicap and inhibit their bite strength when playing (1).
(1) https://www.comfortzone.com/behavior-blog/multi-cat-tension/are-my-cats-playing-or-fighting
Aggressive Behaviors
Cats exhibit various aggressive behaviors such as hissing, swatting, and biting. While these actions may seem aggressive, they are often simply normal feline communication.
Hissing is a cat’s way of vocalizing displeasure, fear, or a warning. It’s meant to startle and deter the cause of their unset. A cat may hiss at a new person or animal in their territory or when feeling threatened. According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, hissing is a distance-increasing behavior meant to avoid further escalation.[1]
Swatting or batting is another way cats create distance from something unpleasant. It’s a physical warning to “back off.” Swatting with claws retracted is relatively gentle, while swatting with claws out can cause scratches. This typically occurs during play or petting when the cat becomes overstimulated. Cats may also swat other animals that get too close to their territory or food according to the ASPCA.[2]
Biting usually happens during play fighting or “rough housing” between cats. Gentle bites to the neck are normal social behavior for young cats establishing hierarchy. Biting during play is how cats learn limits. It’s not intended to harm but can sometimes escalate too far. PetMD recommends redirecting biting kittens by giving appropriate toys to bite and discourage rough play.[3]
Injuries from Cat Fights
Cat fights can lead to various injuries, with the most common being bites, scratches, and abscesses. Cat bites are small but deep puncture wounds that can introduce bacteria under the skin and lead to infection. According to Vets4Pets, puncture wounds from cat bites “can develop into an abscess – a collection of pus under the skin caused by infection”. Scratches are also common, which may appear minor on the surface but can cause deeper tissue damage.
Abscesses are a major concern with cat fight wounds, as the Animal Medical Center notes: “Wounds inflicted during these altercations are primarily deep puncture wounds with small external openings that can seal over with skin before the underlying infection and inflammation has resolved. Eventually, this will lead to the formation of an abscess – a walled off infection of pus.” Proper cleaning and antibiotic treatment is required for any cat fight injuries to prevent infection and abscess formation.
According to the ASPCA, signs of a potential abscess from a cat fight wound include: “swelling, redness, pain, heat and drainage” at the injury site. Immediate veterinary care should be sought for suspected abscesses before they spread or rupture. Other signs of infection include “loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, and depression.” Thus cat owners should monitor their pet closely following a fight and seek prompt medical care for any concerning symptoms.
Sources:
https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/cat-advice/cat-fight-wounds-and-injuries/
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/wounds-fight-wound-infections-in-cats
Territorial Disputes
Cats are very territorial animals and disputes often arise when unfamiliar or stray cats encroach on a cat’s perceived territory [1]. A cat’s territory can include areas around their home as well as parts inside the home. When an unknown cat enters this space, the resident cat can become stressed, anxious, and aggressive in an effort to defend their territory.
Territorial disputes frequently occur between cats who live together when one cat suddenly perceives another cat who was previously accepted as an intruder. This often happens after events that disrupt the cats’ normal routines like moving, adding new pets or family members, or even rearranging furniture. The displaced cat tries to re-establish territory through aggression and fighting.
Outdoor stray cats roaming and marking territory near a cat’s home can also trigger territorial disputes through windows or when the cats encounter each other outside. These disputes can turn violent as cats fiercely defend their space from intruders.
Redirected Aggression
Redirected aggression occurs when a cat sees or interacts with another cat or animal outside, but is unable to attack the stimulus directly. As a result, the agitated cat redirects aggression toward another cat, dog, or human in the home (VCahospitals, 2023; Cornell University, 2023). This often happens when an indoor cat sees another outdoor cat through a window or door.
The indoor cat becomes highly aroused and aggressive, but cannot actually get to the outdoor cat. So it instead attacks a housemate cat or the owner. Attacks are generally quick and intense. This type of aggression can occur suddenly, with no warning signs beforehand (VCahospitals, 2023).
Treatment involves identifying and removing the source of arousal when possible. Prevent outdoor cats from coming near windows and doors. Distract and redirect the agitated cat’s attention. Try toys, treats, or affection. Avoid punishing redirected aggression, as this can make it worse (Cornell University, 2023). With patience and care, redirected aggression often resolves over time.
Petting-Induced Aggression
Many cats can become overstimulated when petted for too long. This is called petting induced or overstimulation aggression. It’s a common behavior in cats, and can be frustrating and frightening for cat owners.
When a cat is overstimulated, the gentle act of petting can quickly become too much stimulation. The cat may abruptly bite or scratch the hand that is petting them. This reaction is due to the cat becoming overly aroused or frustrated.
Signs that a cat is becoming overstimulated include tail thrashing, skin rippling, ears folding back, and exaggerated body movements. At this stage, it’s best to stop petting the cat immediately. If petting continues, the cat is likely to bite or scratch.
There are ways to help prevent and manage petting-induced aggression. Try shorter, gentler petting sessions and watch for signs of overstimulation. Providing adequate playtime and enrichment can also help calm cats. In some cases, medication may be recommended by a veterinarian to reduce anxiety and reactivity.
With patience and care, petting-induced aggression can often be successfully managed. But it’s important for cat owners to understand and respect their cat’s boundaries when being petted.
Sources:
https://www.hshv.org/petting-induced-or-overstimulation-aggression-in-cats/
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cat-behavior-problems—aggression—petting-aggression
Pain-Related Aggression
One of the most common reasons cats become suddenly aggressive is pain or discomfort. According to the ASPCA1, sick or injured cats tend to hide any signs of pain from humans and may cat attack out of self-defense or fear when approached. Comforting your cat who is in pain may trigger aggression.
Cats are very subtle when it comes to exhibiting signs of pain and discomfort.2 It’s important to be attentive to any changes in behavior that could indicate your cat is in pain, such as decreased appetite, decreased activity, aggression, hiding, and changes in litter box habits. If you suspect your cat is lashing out due to an underlying medical issue, take your cat to the vet for a full exam. Treatment of the medical issue can often resolve the aggressive behavior.
Fear-Related Aggression
Fear-related aggression, also known as defensive aggression, occurs when a cat feels threatened by something or someone and responds with an aggressive display to protect themselves. This type of aggressive response is driven by fear and anxiety. Cats who suffer from fear aggression will often run away or hide after an aggressive outburst.
Common triggers for feline fear aggression include unfamiliar people, other animals encroaching on their territory, loud noises, unfamiliar environments, and quick or sudden movements. The aggressive response is not an act of willful violence, but rather a desperate attempt by the frightened cat to create distance and reduce the perceived threat.
Treatment for fear aggression involves identifying and avoiding triggers whenever possible. Slow, gradual desensitization training can also help countercondition the cat to associate the once fearful stimuli with positive experiences. However, the process requires time and patience. In some cases medication prescribed by a veterinarian may help reduce anxiety and make a cat more amenable to behavior modification training [1].
While startling a fearful cat may provoke an aggressive reaction, it’s important for owners not to react punitively. Yelling, punishment, and rough handling will only further agitate the cat and fail to address the root of the problem. Creating a predictable routine, providing safe hiding spaces, using calming pheromones, and working slowly to build trust can help an anxious, aggressive cat become more confident and relaxed. But the process takes time and a commitment to understanding feline fear aggression.
Preventing Aggression
One of the best ways to prevent aggression is by properly introducing cats to each other. Go slowly, keeping the cats separated at first so they can get used to each other’s scents. Exchange blankets or towels between the cats so they get accustomed to the other cat’s smell. After a few days, allow supervised visits, intervening if either cat shows aggression. Increase the visits gradually. With time and patience, the cats may eventually accept each other. Medication prescribed by a vet can help reduce aggression or fear during introductions. Using pheromone diffusers can also help calm stressed cats.
Providing plenty of vertical territory, like cat trees, shelves, and perches, allows cats to peacefully coexist by having their own space. Cats should each have their own food, water, and litter area. Adding extra litter boxes in different locations can help reduce conflicts. Try to spend time individually playing with and positively reinforcing each cat. Interactive play can help satisfy a cat’s hunting drives in a positive way. With patience and proper techniques, aggression between household cats can often be reduced or eliminated. But it’s critical to get professional advice if aggression persists or causes harm (ASPCA).
When to Seek Help
If cat aggression persists despite efforts to reduce stress and redirect behavior, it’s important to seek professional help. Consult with your veterinarian first to rule out potential medical causes like illness or pain. They may recommend seeing a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who can design a customized behavior modification plan (source).
A veterinary behaviorist has advanced training in feline behavior and can help identify causes of aggression and provide targeted treatment. This may involve things like medication in combination with a behavior modification program. Unlike punishment or discipline which can worsen aggression, the focus is on rewarding and reinforcing positive behaviors while minimizing triggers for unwanted behaviors.
Working closely with a trained professional provides the best chance to overcome aggression and develop healthier responses. Drastic measures like declawing, rehoming, or euthanasia should only be considered as an absolute last resort if the cat poses a danger that cannot be resolved.