Curb cat's aggression with play, enriched environment    • Pin
It Helping cats  A boy plays with the family cat near the
village of Scalloway on the Shetland Islands April 1, 2014.
(Cathal McNaughton / Reuters / April 16, 2014)  Q: Our 13-year-
old indoor/outdoor cat is very affectionate, yet for seemingly
no reason sometimes circles our feet and legs, sounds and looks
aggressive, then bites us savagely. How do we address this? --
S.R., Atlanta, GA  A: If the behavior is new, and not typical of
your cat's personality, first see a veterinarian to rule out a
medical explanation.  If the cat's health checks out, pay
attention to your pet's body language and find a way to move
away before an attack. (And don't run away; that will only
encourage the cat to chase you, perhaps thinking you've started
a game.) It's important to play (with your cat) daily using an
interactive toy, teaching him to chase and pounce on the toy --
and not you.  Another idea is to carry little mouse toys or
plastic balls in your pocket. If