Cat Aggression: How to Calm Them Down

Causes of Aggression

Keep in mind that it's not unusual for cats to be feisty; as the Cornell Feline Health Center points out, "Aggression, defined as hostile or violent behaviour intended to dominate or intimidate another individual, is a fairly common behavioural problem in cats." A few causes of aggression include age (kittens and young cats up to age 2 are the very definition of "rowdy"), lack of socialization (this is especially true for cats that are isolated in their early life stages), and maternal instincts (mommy cats are very protective of their babies).

The most common culprits behind the behaviour of aggressive cats are three forms of redirected aggression: play, inter-cat and territorial.

Play or Aggression?

Cats love to play, but play can sometimes turn into aggression. This commonly occurs in kittens, who are just figuring out their boundaries. If they bite or swat their littermates too roughly, their siblings will straighten them out quickly. Cats that are about to take playtime to the next level shake their rears and flatten their ears, and their pupils may dilate.

Inter-Cat Hostility

Inter-cat aggression is the second most common type of aggression (the first being play aggression), according to Tufts's Cummings Veterinary Medical Center: "Cats may not cohabitate well for a variety of reasons, including incompatible temperaments, territorial competitions or as a consequence of overcrowding." For example, when cats that once got along suddenly have conflict, it could be because one of them smells differently after visiting the vet.

Territorial and Fear

Many cats enter attack mode when they are intimidated or provoked by people or other pets, which is why your cat may be perfectly lovely with you but then suddenly growl and swat at a visitor, or whack the family dog if they try to snuggle on the couch with them. If a cat thinks someone or something is going to invade their turf, they'll lash out.

But thankfully, there are ways to curb your cat's aggressive behaviour.

How to Calm an Aggressive Cat

After identifying the reason for your cat's aggression, you can better manage their behaviour. Some reasons are temporary and somewhat easier to manage, like maternal aggression, because you know exactly what to do: Stay away from mommy cat and let her do her thing. For other instigators, you may have to be a bit more creative.

As noted above, play aggression is a very common form of feline aggressive behaviour. One way to de-escalate this — and even prevent it in the first place — is not to roughhouse with your cat. This form of play, in which your cat attacks your body with their jaw and/or claws, promotes combative behaviour.

If they gravitate toward rough activities, redirect their attention to a replacement toy such as a stuffed animal. Stuffed animals made for dogs are great for aggressive cats because they consist of sturdier material than most cat toys and won't disintegrate after the first attack.

Once a cat establishes their domain, they'll make sure other animals (and people) know they are the boss. If you are introducing new cats to each other, or if one cat begins to aggressively dominate another after they've been cohabiting for a long time, you may have to separate their eating, living and litter box areas and reintroduce them slowly.

Very aggressive cats can be a danger to others, so you never want to intervene while your cat is on the defense, or you'll end up creating more chaos. If two or more cats are tussling, make a brief loud noise or create another distraction that will separate them. If your cat is fearful and alone, you'll be tempted to pet or console them, but they may perceive this gesture as a threat. Therefore, don't attempt to approach or touch them until they're ready. Don't worry — they'll let you know when.

As the joke goes, cats train their pet parents and not the other way around. As you navigate your cat's aggressive behaviour, don't try to punish them, "as this may cause a cat to become fearful of people or may be interpreted as play, which may inadvertently reward the aggressive behaviour," explains Cornell. "Walking away and ignoring a cat engaged in play aggression may teach him that inappropriately aggressive play results in no play at all." Bottom line: Reward the good behaviour and not the bad.

When to Seek Veterinary Care

Unusual aggression in cats that cannot be attributed to a specific cause requires a trip to the vet to diagnose a possible larger problem, including an underlying medical condition. Neutering and spaying your cat will reduce feline aggression, as will treating them for a health issue. Illnesses that can cause cat aggression include epilepsy, trauma, dental disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism (accelerates metabolism), hypertension (high blood pressure), primary brain disorder, FeLV (feline leukemia), FIV (feline immunodeficiency) and FIP (feline infectious peritonitis, a viral disease). Treatment for these conditions can decrease or eliminate your kitty's aggression. Early intervention is the best thing you can do to keep your furry friend in top health.

With these tips, advice from your vet and a lot of patience, you may be able to calm your fur babies and enjoy a long, happy life together.