In the human world, aggression is considered a completely inappropriate response to most circumstances. But it's different for cats. For them, aggression is a natural, healthy behavior. Consider the fact that cats are very small creatures and if they didn't use aggression they probably wouldn't have survived to become the sweet companions we love today.
Behaviorists have identified 10 types of cat aggression, but the most common types you will see in your pet are defensive or fear aggression, offensive or status aggression, redirected aggression, and petting aggression.
In defensive aggression, a cat attacks because he's frightened: perhaps he's been backed into a corner by a dog or another cat and sees no escape except to lash out. In status aggression, a cat tries to move up the feline social ladder by using force or intimidation to assert his position as the higher-ranking individual.
In redirected aggression, the cat can't get to the object of his anger, so he lashes out at an "innocent bystander" such as a cat friend or a person.
The first thing to do if your pet suddenly begins acting aggressive is to see the vet in order to rule out underlying injury or disease. If your cat or kitten doesn't have any medical problems, his aggression is probably being caused by stress, so it's up to you to minimize his anxiety level.
Watch your cat for signs of anxiety like a twitching or lashing tail, growling, staring with narrowed eyes, or other tense body language. When you see the tension starting to build up, distract him and help to discharge the energy with a good play session. This is especially important if the aggression is happening between two cats, because they need to learn to associate time together with happiness rather than anxiety.
If your cat does become aggressive with another cat, interrupt the aggression with a loud noise such as clapping your hands or shaking a can full of coins. Do this in an emotionally neutral state because your cat will pick up on your own tension and it may escalate the situation.
If your pet tends to lash out when you're petting him, be sure to watch his body language for signs that he's had enough. You want to stop petting while your cat is still enjoying it; leave him wanting more because it feels good rather than biting and running away because it doesn't. Be careful where you touch your cat; the majority of cats don't like having their tummies rubbed, for example. If he does clamp down with claws and/or teeth, don't pull your hand away because that will only make him latch on harder. Instead, push your hand toward your pet's body, which will confuse him and cause him to loosen his grip.
And finally, if you've tried all the tips above and your cat is still suffering from aggression problems, talk to your vet about the possibility of drug therapy. A short course of treatment with an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine can help desensitize your cat to whatever triggered his problems.
Related Advice from Other Cat Owners
Dealing with an Aggressive Cat
When you think she is about to launch herself at you, shake a can of pennies at her and yell "NO!" You can also take her by the back of the neck and hiss at her as a mama cat would, but don't lift her off her feet by the scruff of her neck. In addition, if this happens only when you are in a room on the computer, close the door to shut her out if possible. You can also put her in a "time out" room by herself for a few minutes when she does this.
~Joy W., owner of Maine Coon mix
Tips for Introducing Cats and Dogs
Cats and dogs are not natural enemies, but you still need to do a patient and careful intro. Set up a baby gate across the doorway of your room and cut a cat-sized hole (but not a dog-sized one) in the plastic mesh. If the dog gets a little too "intense", then your cat has an escape. Keep the cat in the room for a few days until the dog is used to this "interloper". When the dog goes out, let your cat into the house so she can scope out the best hiding places if the dog chases her. Keep the dog on a leash during the first few intros. Don't yell at the dog, but be kind, or he will associate the kitten with yelling and punishment. No unsupervised play times until you are sure you can trust them together. Even a small kitten will scratch when it feels threatened, and the dog will learn quickly!
~Joy W., owner of Maine Coon mix
Slowly Introducing a New Cat
First, you never want to just drop strange cats together. Especially adults with questionable pasts. Have you got a bathroom or bedroom that closes? It may sound mean, but it's really not. Give the new cat a "home base" of sorts. Put her in there, let them get acquainted through the door, then in a few days switch the roles of the cats. Put the old cats in the other room and let the new cat out. That way they can get used to each others' smells before actually having to face the other cats. Once they're calm with each others' scents, let them have a supervised meet. Once they get two or three good supervised meets (where they all stay calm) then you can let the newbie roam free. It sounds complicated, but I've gotten good results with even the most stubborn of cats.
~Cady C., owner of Bengal mix
How to Successfully Introduce Two Cats
When I was doing animal rescue, a good portion of the cats who were returned for not getting along with the resident cat were just thrown into the mix. New kitties must be kept separate for at least a week. It's hard to tell what the new cat went through. She may have had to fight other cats to protect her litters and to get food. If you have not vetted this cat, this needs to be done asap. She must be tested for those nasty cat diseases and if not spayed, that must be done as well. Then, for a successful relationship between your cats, the newbie must be kept separate from the others until they are used to each others' sounds and scents.
~Joy W., owner of Maine Coon mix
Your Cat Has Reason to Be Jealous of a New Cat
If your cat is not taking well to a new addition to the family, put yourself in his shoes. Imagine if your fiance brought home another woman and said, "Honey, I've brought home this other woman to live with us forever. I still love you but I love her too and you'll just have to get used to it." How would you feel? What would you ask your fiance to do for you to make it better? Pay more attention to you? Reassure you? That's what your cat needs from you too: more playtime and more attention.
~Joy W., owner of Maine Coon mix
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