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7 Reasons Why Cats Become Aggressive

When a cat acts with aggression, there is usually a good reason -- here are the warning signs.

 |  Mar 25th 2014  |   3 Contributions

Even the most experienced cat caretakers can find themselves charged up on adrenalin when having to face a cat in the midst of a fit of aggression. But encountering a hissing, growling, screaming, and possibly even scratching and biting cat can strike terror into the hearts of people who don’t know how to handle a feline freakout.

I suspect this is at least in part what happened in the tragic situation of Lux the cat, whose owners felt the need to barricade themselves in a bedroom and call 911 when Lux lost it after a series of traumatizing events. But cats don’t just suddenly go crazy: There are almost always warning signs and there’s almost always a good reason why cats respond with aggression. Here are some of them.

1. Pain

Cats who are in pain will respond with hisses and swats when sensitive areas are touched. My cat, Siouxsie, does this if I accidentally put pressure on her sore hips. A hard yank on the tail, for example, can be quite painful. If the warning signs are ignored, a scratch and possibly even a bite may follow. This is especially true if the pain is a result of physical abuse such as being kicked or hit.

2. Fear

A cat that is terrified will respond with body language that’s obvious to an experienced cat caretaker: She will turn sideways and puff up her tail and fur in order to look larger. Her ears will flatten backwards, she will hiss and her pupils will be dilated. Attempting to approach a cat in this state is risking an aggressive reaction, not because the cat dislikes you but because she’s in the middle of a panic reaction.

This cat is backed into a corner and his dilated pupils indicate fear. If the photographer doesn't back off soon, aggression may result. Photo: Shutterstock

3. Hormones

A cat who is not spayed or neutered is much more likely to be aggressive. Male cats in particular are biologically wired to fight with other male cats when females in heat are present. If you see two cats fighting, do not physically intervene because you will almost certainly become the target of the cats’ aggression.

4. Frustration

“Redirected aggression” is the term for violent acts carried out by cats because they can’t reach the object of their predatory passion. For example, an indoor cat who sees another cat walking by or marking his territory in “his” turf may get into a highly reactive state. At that point, anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby, whether that’s another cat, a dog, or a person, may end up on the receiving end of the cat’s aggression.

This cat is backed into a corner, but as much as the child wants to pet the cat, she is keeping her distance. I suspect that the child's parent is teaching her good cat-communication skills. Photo CC-BY-SA Frank Deckmann

5. Stress

If a cat lives in a highly stressful environment -- for example, a home in which people are fighting or a home with too many cats -- it’s quite possible for that cat to be quick to respond aggressively. Like children who live in homes with a lot of verbal and physical violence, or a lot of unspoken anger, cats often act out the dynamics of their human families.

6. Trauma

Don’t laugh: Cats can suffer from post-traumatic stress. Their brains are wired similarly to ours, and the effects of chronic anxiety from past human violence or struggling to survive on the streets can lead cats to become aggressive. In order to resolve this issue, a short course of anti-anxiety medication (prescribed by a vet, of course; don’t give your cat your antidepressants, please), homeopathic remedies or flower essences can help make a cat less reactive to triggers.

Believe it or not, cats can develop a form of post-traumatic stress disorder. A triggered cat can become aggressive. Photo CC-BY-ND Steve Hardy

7. Chemical imbalance

This is by far the rarest reason for cats to become aggressive. But like humans, some cats simply have biochemical imbalances that affect behavior. For these cats, antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can be a lifesaver.

No matter what the cause of the aggression, there are almost always warning signs. If you understand feline body language, you’ll be able to see that your furry friend is getting wound up before the situation escalates to a crisis point. If you have a highly reactive cat and you want to help him or her, be aware that it will take time and patience -- but take it from a person who has rehabilitated traumatized cats: The reward is so worth the effort!

It's a very good thing this cat is so mellow, otherwise this kid would be asking for trouble. For the record, I do NOT recommend putting even the most chill cats in bags and pushing on their heads! Photo CC-BY Cristian Bortes

How about you? Have you had an aggressive cat? Were you able to help your kitty feel better and become less reactive? What did you do to help her? Have you ever been unable to help an aggressive cat? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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