Anger in cats almost always comes from fear, and their aggressive behaviors arise when the cat thinks it needs to defend itself. For this reason, putting a cat in situations where he will get scared will often make him angry. Knowing how to minimize and avoid such situations is important to soothe an angry cat and keep him calm.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Behaviors of an Angry Cat
Step 1. Consider the reasons why your cat is angry
The most common cause of cat anger is fear. Cats are not as tame as dogs and easily return to the wild. This means that such animals are one step away from being wild and many live in a constant state of alert for danger, which includes fear of people. At the top of the list of things that scare them are strangers, simply because a cat doesn't know anything about those people until it has taken the time to observe them and determine if they are friendly. Remember that the reason for a cat's fear won't always be obvious.
- For example, your cat might blow against a small child who pulled its tail when you weren't present. He may also associate the child with pain and be frightened.
- A cat that hasn't learned to socialize can be very afraid of strangers and unfamiliar environments.
Step 2. Recognize the behaviors associated with your cat's fear or anger
Interpreting your cat's body language can help you avoid conflict, and will help you recognize fear and aggression. But often the two behaviors have similar traits, so don't try too hard to distinguish them. The important thing is to understand that the animal is stressed and may decide to attack. Remember that a cat can get angry or frightened in seconds, even if it was previously calm. Signs of fear and aggression include:
- Piloerection (to raise the hair).
- Dilated pupils.
- Fix yourself (this attitude precedes an attack).
- Look away (fear).
- Mustache stiff and carried back.
- Ears flat against the head.
- Hunched body posture.
- Growl.
- Retract your lips and blow.
Step 3. Consider the purpose of the cat's "angry" behaviors
The following behaviors are often considered to be signs of an impending attack from an angry cat, but are, in reality, the behaviors that a frightened and stressed animal has as he wants to escape from a dangerous situation.
Step 4. Look for signs of "redirected aggression"
It is an expression used to refer to the action of a cat taking out its anger on an animal or a person, even if the source of the anger was entirely different. If this happens to two cats living together, it can be difficult to get them to get along again, depending on the severity of the attack.
Step 5. Watch out for bites while playing
Some cats can get too excited while playing and bite or scratch.
If your cat plays too aggressively, use a toy dangling from a string to keep her hands away from him
Step 6. Learn to distinguish fearful attitudes and petting-induced aggression
Some cats become aggressive when touched. This behavior doesn't always show up at the start of contact - a cat may enjoy petting before suddenly becoming aggressive. You shouldn't confuse this behavior with anger. Here are some reasons that lead these animals to similar reactions:
- The cat reacts like this to say "Thank you, that's enough".
- The cat is so enraptured by the pleasure that it suddenly wakes up and bites in self-defense.
- This form of aggression often occurs in kittens raised alone in a litter or raised by humans. They have not learned to socialize with other puppies, who would have reacted to overly aggressive bites. NEVER resort to violence against your cat. Instead, learn to interpret the body language of a specimen that is about to get angry; you may notice a single movement of the tail, or the animal may stop purring or arching its back. In those moments you should immediately stop stroking it and get up, to get it off you.
Part 2 of 2: Calming an Angry or Afraid Cat
Step 1. Put your safety first
If the cat is angry with you or is having an experience of redirected aggression, then you are the possible target of an attack, which can end up with bites, scratches, cuts and so on. Most cats, however, will not attack you unless you continue to provoke them after the first warning sign.
- If you really have to take care of the cat, use protective clothing and cover the cat with a blanket to calm him down. However, this is a short-term solution that you should avoid due to possible injuries. The cat will not gladly receive this treatment and may be even less available in the future.
- Keep a water gun handy if you live with a cat. It can be an ideal tool for squirting an angry animal, without having to use your hands directly. It might be enough to separate two fighting cats, and it can certainly be a good defense if a cat decides to attack you as a redirected aggression.
Step 2. Make room for the cat
This is the best thing you can do once you notice the signs of fear or anger. Step away to limit his reaction. If possible, leave the room where the animal is, or ask the people who are provoking its reaction to move away. If you can't leave the room, back off without blocking any possible escape routes.
- Leave the cat alone for 10-20 minutes to allow him to calm down.
- If the "threat" was another cat you just brought home, the animals may take some time to get used to and you should keep them separate in the early stages. You can find more information on the subject by reading this article: How To Bring Home A New Cat While Preventing The One Already Present From Getting Angry.
Step 3. Try to appear smaller
Don't overpower or stare at an upset cat, as it will make him feel even more threatened. If you are not in immediate danger, lie down on the ground or sit down.
Step 4. Ignore the cat
Completely diverting attention from the cat allows the animal to re-evaluate the situation at its own pace.
Relax your body and calm your tone of voice. Try talking to other people in the room or hum softly. You will make it clear to the cat that it has nothing to worry about
Step 5. Offer a safe place for your cat
Often, he will take refuge somewhere when he is afraid. For example, if he is afraid of strangers, he may hide from the ringing of the doorbell. Try putting your cat's bed in a quiet, undisturbed room to give him a place to retreat until he's ready to go outside.
Cats can get a sense of security even from high places. Try installing a cat tower with a very high shelf where he can hide, especially if the source of his fear is a dog you just brought home
Step 6. Approach your cat slowly and carefully
After giving him time and space to calm down, approach him carefully, without touching him. You need to be sure that all visible signs of anger are gone, including the bristling fur, blowing, and arched back. However, even if these signs have disappeared, the cat may still feel angry and be fickle and frightened, so it's important to proceed calmly.
Step 7. Let the cat come to you
Sit or lie on the ground with food in hand. Let the cat sniff and explore the area around you. Even if he just watches you from afar, you will let him know that you are not a threat.
If your cat hasn't had intercourse with humans in the first twelve weeks of life, this step is critical. Trying to make contact with him will only increase his fear. Always let the cat initiate physical contact by sniffing you and rubbing its head against you. This will get you to smell her and make you safer in her eyes. Even when this happens, don't reach out to touch it. Consider it a test: you can only pass it by remaining completely still and letting the cat understand that it is in control of the situation. Only when he has learned to approach regularly will you be able to touch him
Step 8. Use food
Shake the box of cookies or open a can of his favorite food and place it in the bowl. Make sure she has fresh water available, as she may feel thirsty after such strong emotions. In any case, do not force the cat to eat or drink; he will come if he is interested, otherwise he will know that the food will be there when it is ready.
Step 9. Don't punish the cat
Never do this, for any reason. Remember, aggression stems from fear, so punishing him will only increase his fear. You will have to fight anger with patience and love.
Step 10. Consult your veterinarian
Illness or pain can lead the cat to anger or aggression. If the animal suddenly begins to exhibit anger or fear despite its docile temperament (or simply if you have not made progress following the steps above), consult your veterinarian to rule out medical problems.
- The most common causes include high fever, toothache, gingivitis, abscesses, wounds, arthritis, fractures, ear, muscle or joint problems. A cat that has ingested a hairball may have angry reactions due to the inflammation the ball can cause.
- If your vet determines that the problem is not a medical condition, they may suggest anxiety medications to calm the cat.
- If your cat exhibits unwanted behaviors related to a specific event, such as car rides or visits to the vet, your doctor may prescribe a mild sedative. This will allow you to calm down the cat beforehand before subjecting him to the stressful situation. After a few occasions in which the cat goes through the experience of being sedated, you may notice a desensitization to the stressor.
Step 11. Desensitize the cat to environmental stressors
In situations where the person or object that frightens the cat is harmless, you can try to desensitize the animal to that element with the same techniques used to overcome phobias.
- If the stressor is a person, start letting the cat hear the person talking in another room until this experience no longer has any negative effects. Then he moves on to let the person into the same room where the animal is, asking him to ignore him completely. Gradually allow the person to get closer until the cat decides to make contact.
- To add an element of counter-conditioning to desensitizing training, you can include food treats in the process. This will help the cat associate the person with positive reinforcement.
Step 12. Have patience
Depending on the level of socialization as a puppy, it can take days for a cat to develop trust in you, but it may even take years.
Advice
- Consider having your cat spayed, as this procedure can affect hormone levels that lead to aggressive behavior.
- If a neighbour's cat is your concern, keep yours indoors or arrange with your neighbor to leave the cats out at different times. Explain to the neighbor that it is good for both animals.
- Changes in habits can scare a cat and thus make it angry. When changing furniture, relocating or doing other work hours, make sure that you reassure the cat and that it has access to a safe, calm place and is fed, brushed and cared for at set and regular intervals.
- If you have recently taken a trip and left your cat with a person or in a shelter, you may notice aggressive behavior upon your return. Be patient for a few days, giving your cat time to get used to it.
- An overweight cat can become aggressive if it fails to groom itself well and has fleas. Get rid of fleas and talk to your vet about losing weight.
Warnings
- Bowls of water and food can be stressful. If two cats are fighting over food, place the bowls in separate areas at the same time. The bully cat cannot be in two places at the same time and so the other cat will eat too.
- When you move, expect the cat to be restless for a while, unless you move around so often that the cat has got used to it. Take it easy, give the cat some space, and accompany the journey with treats and toys so that it has positive expectations when you move, as well as being caged and having to explore new territory. Never bother the cat!
- If you have multiple cats, they may be fighting over litter boxes. Some cats have no problem sharing, others do. Make sure each cat has a clean litter box in the center of its territory - its favorite place to be. Whether they allow each other to use their own litter box and whether they get along is a matter between them, but this privacy issue is important in helping multiple cats live together.
