This can be extremely dangerous, so caution must be used. Give the passive cat the choice of locations within the house, sequester the bully cat… The cat will simply take more time to change its behavior than than a young cat would. The pheromones in cat calming collars mimic those that mother cats produce to calm and soothe kittens, and they can also help to calm adult kitties. If you don’t want to give up on your aggressive cat, here are some of the effective ways to calm your combative feline. I think I will try the calming sprays first. Whatever the reason, you want to identify it so you can make adjustments in your home to reduce or eliminate your cat's triggers. I'm scared for myself and my family. This can lead to serious injuries and hard feelings between the animals in the long term. Your most sensitive areas should be prioritized, including your eyes and face. If you can't figure out why your cat is acting aggressive, take it to the vet for a checkup. *Restrictions apply. All Rights Reserved. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. If your cat is only mildly aggressive and needs some exercise, going on leashed walks is a safe way to take your indoor cat on outdoor adventures. Cat bites and scratches are prone to infection, so it's important to thoroughly clean and disinfect them even if they seem minor. Never hit a cat. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Some common symptoms associated with these illnesses include a lack of appetite, trouble moving, vomiting, and diarrhea. Adulting 101: Learn How to Raise Your Credit Score. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first and only Fear Free Certified Clinic. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Whenever I sleep, he claws at my face, and it's just miserable. Signs of infection to a cat scratch or bite include pain, redness, swelling, and puss coming from the injured area. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with two locations, South End/Bay Village and Brookline, Massachusetts. For example, if your cat gets aggressive when it is petted for too long, reward it when it doesn't exhibit this behavior. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Once you can safely approach, reassure your cat and distract it with food or treats. Sometimes, aggression can be a sign of an underlying health problem, and your vet will be able to figure out what's going on and recommend the best treatment plan. Calm an Aggressive Cat An aggressive cat can be hard to deal with, but its important to remember that the cat is either afraid or was poorly socialized as a kitten. Fine. powered by Disqus. – When your cat lashes out it can be an ugly scene, whether provoked in some fashion or just a seemingly random outburst an angry cat can be tough to tame. It’s not really that complex. It is important to protect all your animals from fighting. Open a food can and the smell will calm the cat. Expert Interview. 1 Aggression is the second most common behavioral problem seen in cats; 2 Visit your veterinarian to be sure that your cat’s aggression is not the result of a medical condition ; 3 There are a number of ways to calm an aggressive cat, but … Most cats will calm down once completely restrained. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Veterinarian. You can also stimulate your cat by playing with them, but only at times when you do not see signs of aggression. Pet it lightly for a few moments in your lap and before the interaction goes awry set it on the floor. Here are 5 great ways to help calm your aggressive cat. Although cat aggression is sometimes taken less seriously than dog aggressionperhaps because cats are smaller and dont pursue people to bite themaggressive cats can be formidable. This often results in a less anxious cat, and in some cases that means a less aggressive cat too. If your cat gets aggressive in the presence of a stranger, the behaviorist will alter this behavior by attaching something positive to what’s causing the aggression. PetCareRx.com comments Learning how to calm an aggressive cat will help you build a strong and loving bond with your feline friend. Cats who, as kittens, were played with or handled roughly by one or more people, and people who don’t understand cat behavior and unwittingly encourage aggressive behavior, are most often to blame. Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. That way, you can have a loving and friendly natured feline. Avoid looking directly in the cat's eyes, as this is a sign of an aggressive challenge. However, some cats will not like this and it will increase their aggression. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. References. Then give it a treat for its good behavior. Privacy Policy, Understanding a cat's body language during "normal" circumstances can help you identify when they're acting out of character. This process can take long and should be done correctly to avoid fueling other negative behavior. Your veterinarian is likely to know the best calming sprays and diffusers on the market. A quiet atmosphere For advice from our Veterinary co-author, like how to shut down one of your cat's aggressive outbursts, keep reading. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. For example, if your cat is aggressive when your other pet is around, you might want to keep them separated as much as possible. An anxious cat is more susceptible to infectious diseases than a cat which isn't stressed. In order to resolve your cat’s aggression, you’ll first need to find the source. Animal behaviorists advise that aggression in cats may be a call for help. code for your first purchase: Get exclusive offers to your inbox. We are certified via safe.pharmacy, My cat is really aggressive, to the point where I can't pet him. Some medical conditions that can cause aggression include arthritis, dental problems, and hyperthyroidism. I took him to the vet and said it was redirected aggression. Mail: For many cats, aggression is a way to release energy. If your cat is healthy, looking into natural ways to calm an aggressive cat is an excellent second step. Aggression in cats (or ANY animal for that matter) can have many causes but if you're dealing with an angry cat, here are some tips: 1. Cats that are kept separate should also be given a different set of bowls, beds, and litter boxes. Use calming scents. 52 Merton Avenue I kept him in a dark room for 2 days so he can calm down... got him neutered, and bought him calming natural medication. If you are unable to calm your aggressive cat on your own, you can also seek out help from an animal professional, such as a veterinarian or a animal behaviorist. 5 Adorable Dogs Showing Off their Best Behavior! A cat, who is usually nice, but becomes aggressive in a certain situation, usually calms down quickly if you adjust to it gently and patiently. Angry cats are aggressive cats, so leave your cat alone until its anger subsides. Accessibility Statement. It is especially important to separate animals that you are trying to acclimate to each other, such as when you add a new pet to your home. http://www.aocb.com/cat_boa... Four Paws Scratching Post With Catnip 20", Chat: Live Chat All you need to do is behave as a cat would towards an aggressive cat if it didn’t want to appear as a threat. You may even want to keep it sequestered in a room by itself with food, water, and a litter box. You can also drop something that will make noise on the floor, such as a container full of pennies. For example, your cat might be lashing out because it doesn't get along with your other pet, or it could be territorial when someone gets close to its food. Email: [email protected] Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 10,158 times. Try putting something between the fighting cats that will stop them from making contact with each other. Cats can bit… November 05 An aggressive cat needs your help, not more aggression added to the situation. A noise maker like this is good to have on hand if you have a cat that becomes aggressive often. Before you give up or get scratched to threads, take a few simple steps to calm your aggressive cat. Be aware that this kind of restraint is for the protection of the veterinarian and the cat itself. † Product is not eligible for additional discounts due to MAP (Minimum advertised price) policies with manufacturers. | See Comments. Cats are the epitome of indifference; playing or cuddling one moment, abruptly walking away the next. Keep your hands at a distance by using toys that you can throw or dangle, and if you notice that your cat is beginning to act aggressive, end the playtime and return when your cat is calm. Some cats just wont give peace a chance. Aggressive cats are not uncommon, but they can sometimes be hard to read. Give them their own space where they can be away from people and other animals in your home, such as a spare bedroom. Use a Diffuser. Some cats may react to overstimulation with aggressiveness. If the cat is in your lap when it becomes aggressive, stand up so that the cat falls away from you. If the cat is fixated on a specific thing, try to break their eye contact. If your cat has a hard time with other animals, it might be best to keep it as an only pet. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University. It is necessary to give time and space to your aggressive cat. Some cats just simply need to be left alone a lot of the time. How to calm an aggressive cat. By Brian Bourquin, DVM. Then quickly move away from the cat. This is especially true when you find yourself in harm’s way and covered with nicks and scratches on your arms, hands and sometimes even your face. Treat the aggressive cats as though introducing them for the first time. To calm an aggressive cat during an attack, you need to give it space and divert its attention away from the fight. If your cat is playing nicely, reward the good behavior with treats or food. Is Your Cat Aggressive Toward Human Beings. Aggression is the second most common feline behavior problem seen by animal behaviorists. This should give you the chance to get the other animal out of the situation. Once the aggressive cat walks away and is calm, reinforce its good behavior with a desirable treat, toy, or attention. There are a number of products on the market designed specifically for the purpose of calming cats down. With cat-to-human aggression, the roots almost always lie with the person. A cat who is already showing signs of aggression could be dangerous. Therefore, here is how to calm an aggressive cat. Moving closer to reassure the cat or to try to calm it down will likely only increase its defensiveness. You can typically find a pet behavior specialist in your area through your veterinarian, your local animal shelter, or online. To be safe, make sure your cat always wears identification tags on her collar when walking outside. A veterinarian visit is crucial if your cat is beginning to show even the slightest hint of aggression or change in behavior. I dont know what else to do. This article was co-authored by Brian Bourquin, DVM. You may even need to enlist help if you can't handle the cat on your own. There may be an underlying medical cause for the behavior. I have a cat he's almost 2 years old and he was exposed to a stray cat from a window and became very aggressive with me. 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