Most cat anger stems from fear, and aggressive behavior stems from the cat's perception that he must protect himself. Putting the cat in a fear-inducing situation will lead to anger. Knowing how to reduce and eliminate such situations is an important part of calming your cat's anger and keeping him calm.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing Angry Cat Behavior
Step 1. Consider the cat's reasons for getting angry
A cat's primary motivation for displaying anger or aggressive behavior is fear. Cats are not as tame as dogs and will easily return to their wild state. This means cats are still like wild animals and many wild animals live in constant vigilance of danger, including the fear of humans. The highest fear is the fear of strangers because the cat does not know about the person until he has had time to observe and believe that the person loves cats. Keep in mind that the reasons for your cat fear are not always real to you.
- For example, a cat may start hissing at a young child because it tugs at the cat's tail when you are not with them. The cat may associate the child with pain that causes the cat to be frightened.
- Cats who don't socialize well even have a strong fear of strangers and people.
Step 2. Be aware of behaviors associated with fear or anger in cats
Reading a cat's body language can help avoid conflict. It is very useful if you can be aware of a cat's fear and aggressiveness. However, there is an overlap between the two behaviors so don't focus too much on distinguishing between the two. The most important thing is to recognize that the cat is under stress, and stress causes attacks. Be aware that a cat can go from calm to fear or anger in a matter of seconds. Signs a cat is feeling scared or aggressive include:
- Piloerection (goosebumps)
- Enlarged pupils
- A gaze directed at you (followed by an attack)
- Turning away (fear)
- Mustache stiffens and points back
- Ears aligned with head
- Bowed posture
- growl
- Pulls lips and growls.
Step 3. Consider the purpose behind the usual “angry” behavior
While it's mostly seen as a sign that an angry cat is about to attack, this behavior is more often shown by a cat that's stressed and scared and wants to get out of the situation.
Step 4. Look for the “redirected aggressiveness” sign
This term is applied when a cat takes its anger out on a cat or other person even though the source of the anger is a different person or cat. If this happens to two cats living together, it can be quite difficult to get the two of them to get along, depending on the seriousness of the attack.
Step 5. Watch for cat bites while playing
Be aware that some cats will get overly excited while playing and will bite or scratch which could be mistaken for aggressive behavior.
If your cat's playing mood is more aggressive, you can use a hanging toy to keep your hands and fingers away from the cat's bite while playing
Step 6. Distinguish between fearful behavior and aggressiveness caused by petting
Aggression caused by petting is common in some cats. This behavior does not only occur in the first stroke. The cat will appear to be enjoying it before it suddenly becomes aggressive. However, this should not be confused with anger. The reasons behind this aggressiveness include:
- Cats use this behavior as a way of saying, "That's enough, thank you."
- The cat becomes so sleepy with the pleasure that it suddenly starts to bite and bites to protect itself.
- This form of aggression often occurs in single-born kittens or kittens raised by humans. This kitten lacks socialization with other kittens who will reciprocate if he is too violent. However, DO NOT reply to your cat. Instead, learn to read the body language your cat will display. The cat will give the slightest sign of wagging its tail or it will stop purring and the skin on its back will twitch. At this point, stop petting the cat and stand up to remove it from your lap.
Part 2 of 2: Calming an Angry or Fearful Cat
Step 1. Put your safety first
If your cat is angry at you or shifting his aggression towards you, you could be the target of an attack where the cat will scratch or bite you. However, most cats won't attack unless you continue to provoke them after giving them a warning.
- If you absolutely must hold the cat, wear protective clothing and throw a blanket at the cat to help subdue the cat. However, this is only a short-term solution if you really have to catch it as it could do you harm. This will not make you love the cat and will make it less cooperative in the future.
- Have a water gun at hand if you live with a cat. This can be an ideal method for spraying a cat without having to use your hands. A water gun may be enough to separate a fighting cat and can be a good source of protection if the cat decides to attack you through aggressive diversion.
Step 2. Get away
The best step you can take once you notice an angry or scared cat's behavior is to step back. Move away from the cat to reduce the fearful response. If possible, leave the room where the cat is, or if the cat acts at other people or animals, have everyone leave the room. If you can't leave the room, make sure you back off without blocking the exit because the cat may want to get out of there.
- Leave the cat alone for 10 to 20 minutes to give it enough time to cool down.
- If the "threat" is another cat you've recently raised, the desensitization process will take time, and you should separate the cats by only introducing them periodically. You can find more information in the topic: Bringing a New Cat Home without Upsetting Your Cat.
Step 3. Make yourself small
Don't stand or stare at your cat when she's upset, because she'll see you as a threat. If you're not in danger and want to help a scared cat feel more confident, you can lie on the floor so it doesn't look like a threat, or make yourself small by sitting up.
Step 4. Ignore the cat
Taking his focus off the cat really gives him a chance to assess you so he can see that you're not a threat.
This includes calming your body language and voice. Try talking to other people in the room or sing softly. Rather than creating tension, this will give the impression that the cat has nothing to worry about
Step 5. Provide a safe place for the cat
Often times, cats will face their own fearful reactions and find a safe place to hide. For example, if your cat is afraid of strangers, she will hide when she hears a bell or a knock on the door. Consider keeping the cat's cage in a quiet, undisturbed room so the cat will have a place to hide until she feels ready to come back out.
Cats can feel the same sense of security when standing at high altitudes. Consider providing a cat tower with a high perch for the cat to hide in, especially if there is a new dog in the house and a source of cat fear
Step 6. Approach the cat slowly and carefully
After you've given your cat time to cool down, approach her carefully without touching her directly. You need to be sure that all signs of anger that are visible in the cat are gone, including the standing fur, hissing, and arching of the back. However, even if all of these signs are gone, your cat will still harbor anger, behavior, and fear, so it's important that you don't rush.
Step 7. Let the cat approach you
Sit or lie on the floor with a snack in your hand. Let the cat sniff it and explore your surroundings. Even if your cat keeps your distance and just watches you, this will build trust that you're not a threat in the long run.
If the cat is not socializing with humans in the first 12 weeks of its life, this step is very important. Trying to make first contact will only make the cat more afraid of you. Always allow the cat to initiate physical contact by sniffing your hand and rubbing its head against you. This will transfer the cat's smell to you and make you look safe in his eyes. Even so, don't reach out to the cat. Think of this as a test. You can get through this test by sitting still and letting the cat feel empowered. If he's been coming to you often, you can slowly reach out and try to pet the animal
Step 8. Use food
Shake a bag of treats or open a can of your cat's favorite treat and place it in its food bowl. Make sure fresh water is available, as your cat will feel thirsty after experiencing such emotions. However, don't force your cat to eat or drink. He will know the food is ready when he is ready.
Step 9. Don't punish the cat
Never, under any circumstances, punish your cat. Remember, aggressiveness is born of fear, so punishing your cat will only foster fear and make it more aggressive. Instead, fight anger with loving patience.
Step 10. Call the vet
Illness or pain can cause your cat to display anger or aggressive behavior. If your cat begins to show anger or fear despite being very docile (or if you haven't progressed with the steps above), see your vet to find out if your cat has any health problems.
- Common causes include high fever, toothache, gingivitis, abscesses, wounds, arthritis, fractured bones, ear problems, and sprains. Furballs also sometimes provoke cat anger because they cause nausea or stomach ulcers.
- If the vet determines that the problem is not an illness, he or she will suggest anti-anxiety medication if nothing else will calm your cat.
- If your cat is exhibiting this behavior because of a certain event, such as a car ride or a visit to the vet, your vet may also prescribe a sedative for your cat. This will make the cat feel calmer before dealing with stressful situations. After a few times dealing with stressful situations with sedatives, you will begin to realize that your cat will be less sensitive to stressors.
Step 11. Make your cat immune to the stressors around it
In situations where someone or something triggering a cat's fear reaction doesn't actually hurt the cat, then you can try to make the cat immune to the stressor in the same way that people usually deal with their phobia.
- For example, if a person is causing the stress, start by letting the cat listen to the person talking in another room until it has no effect on the cat. Then ask the person to stand on the other side of the room with the cat while completely ignoring the cat until it has no effect on the cat. Keep the person close until the cat finally chooses to make contact.
- To add an element of counterconditioning to your immunity training, you can use snacks during the process. Snacks not only make the cat immune to stressors but also allow the cat to associate the person with positive reinforcement.
Step 12. Be patient
Depending on the level of socialization your cat had as a child, the amount of time it takes a cat to develop trust can range from a few days to several years.
Tips
- Consider neutering your cat as this procedure can affect hormone levels that lead to dominant or aggressive behavior.
- If the source of the annoyance is the neighbor's cat, keep your cat indoors or arrange time with your neighbor to find different times for both cats to be out of the house. Explain that this will also benefit the cat.
- A change in routine can cause a cat to feel scared and angry. When changing furniture around the house, moving house, or working with a new schedule, etc., make sure you keep your cat calm and she has access to a safe and quiet place and continues to be fed, groomed and visited at the same time and regularly.
- If you recently went on vacation and hired someone to look after your cat or left the cat in the cage, you will notice some aggressive behavior when you return. Be patient for a few days as the cat begins to adjust again.
- Overweight cats can be aggressive if they don't groom themselves properly and are attacked by fleas. Get him free of fleas and discuss with your vet about weight loss.
- You should only pet the cat where it can see or else it will get stressed and scratch you.
Warning
- Food and water bowls too. If your cat fights over food, keep the food bowls in a separate area and serve them at the same time. A bully cat can't be in two places at the same time and a bullied cat can eat.
- When you move house, be aware that the cat won't feel at home for a while unless you move house a lot so that the cat gets used to the moving process. Don't rush, leave the cat alone, and include treats and toys, so the cat will have something to look forward to when “moving house” apart from being crammed into a small cage and having to explore new territory.
- If you have multiple cats, they will fight over the litter box. Some cats don't mind sharing while others do. Make sure each cat has a clean litter box. Whether the cats allow other cats to use the litter box is up to the cats and how well they all get along, but this one privacy issue is essential to helping some cats get along.
