Calming an aggressive cat

We all have our character and personalities, both human beings and animals. However, it is one thing to have a strong character and another to have a tendency to be aggressive. This happens a lot with cats. In fact, according to some studies, aggression is the second most common feline behavior problem.

The good news is that this type of character can be reached improve or even reform, but it is a challenge that requires patience and knowledge about the subject. First of all, we will learn to calm him down, we do not want the situation to get out of hand.

If you have a cat that responds with aggressive attitudes, continue reading this article where we will show you different techniques for soothe an aggressive cat.

Why is my cat aggressive?

Your cat could react aggressively for many reasons. Analyze your day to day and determine if it is a isolated behavior or if follow a pattern. If the situation is persistent, it is best to go to the veterinarian or a feline behavior specialist to consult some guidelines that will help you improve in the long term.

If your cat is not usually aggressive but has reacted violently, it can be due to different causes:

• The cat is protecting its territory or itself because it feels threatened or afraid. In these cases it is important to respect your space and try to improve your confidence with us through treats and kind words.
• It may happen that, after a long adventure, your cat has been injured. Also in the face of an illness, it is common for cats to be uncouth. That is their way of expressing their discomfort or pain.
• Finally, and not least, boredom, lack of activity and confinement can be the causes of an unpredictable and aggressive nature.

Review our own behavior

Sometimes when our cat reacts with some aggressive attitude, unconsciously, we tend to move our hands too actively, moving them away, to avoid getting hurt. Without knowing it, we are encouraging our pet to continue with this type of behavior. They can take it as a stimulation to continue within that same dynamic.

What should I do if this happens?

First of all try to stay calm and separate your hands in the smoothest possible way, without fright. Then answer with a No! firm as many times as necessary until the feline makes the connection between the three behaviors: assault – separate – rectify.

It can also happen that, unintentionally, we try to handle it more than the cat is willing to accept, we bother him when he sleeps or we try to force him in an uncomfortable situation. Remember that the cat is a living being and that it has its own personality and a defined language. On many occasions snorting or scratching is a simple way to ask us to leave you alone. Learning to communicate with him, and most importantly, respect him, is a good way to help calm an aggressive cat.

Divert your aggressive energy

Another technique that could work very well is not giving too much importance to the issue and diverting the aggressive energy. Distracting the cat from its own aggressiveness is sometimes a positive tool. When the cat starts any violent attitude it will be better to redirect his attention towards some toy that you like it very much You can cast it and you will see how the cat’s look and attention will be dispersed a little.

Another option is also to wet your fingers and spark your cat with a little water. However, be correct with this type of actions because we do not want the cat to take it as a provocation and to incite him to attack. Most cats do not react unless they feel cornered or provoked.

Cats love the sheets and play with each other; try throwing a sheet and fall on it. The cat will feel a bit removed from the whole situation and tension; at the same time he will take it as a game.

Use foods and treats to divert your attention through taste and stomach. Open a can with your favorite food, the rich smell will be more than your anger. Place it in a container, leave it there and move away; Give it your time and space.

A quiet environment

Do not test your pet’s tolerance. Offer a space where you can escape and feel calm and relaxed whenever you feel bad or affected by something. Give him time for himself. Do not press or look too much if your body language is indicated that it is not the time to interact.

Again, do not try to give him more love than he wants and needs. Turn down the lights in the room (this will soften the emotions) and go for a few 15 or 20 minutes. Take advantage of the moment to relax your own voice and body posture.

Put yourself in place

Cats are very sensitive animals and also react according to your body language and attitude. When your cat adopts an aggressive position and is agitated, do not stand in front of him expecting something to change.

Esto it will be threatening for your feline because he will see you as an authoritarian figure rather than a figure of justice. If you are not in an immediate danger situation, lie on the floor or sit in a low chair and get on your level. Become small as your pet.

Hairy aggressive, I love you anyway

Accept with patience that your cat could have violent attitudes from time to time because he will not always agree with everything (he is still an animal). The necessary thing here will be to reduce the level of aggressiveness and not to reach an extreme degree. Never punish your cat Because he is behaving aggressively, this will only make the situation worse and increase his fear and anxiety.

Animals do not act aggressively because they do. Remember that this is their way of expressing that they feel threatened by something or someone. The best way to calm an aggressive cat will be eliminating or removing the source of that state.

If you want to read more articles similar to Calming an aggressive cat, we recommend that you enter in our behavior problems section.