Cat behavior is a matter of concern for many feline owners. A change in behavior can be the consequence of an illness or of a problem in its environment. Sometimes, we can then observe aggression in a cat. Its origins can be multiple and treatment by a veterinary behaviorist may be necessary in order to remedy the situation.

Like any animal, the cat has essential needs that the owner must meet to maintain his well-being, both physical and mental. The environment of the cat, a territorial animal, must be divided into several well-defined areas (rest, food, games, predation, elimination, water, scratching post). To delimit its territory, the cat will have recourse to several marking behaviors (scratching, urine marking, facial marking). When something is wrong with its surroundings, the cat can change its behavior. He can also change his behavior in the event of illness or pain.

It is important to distinguish unwanted behavior from a behavior disorder. Behavior may be normal but undesirable for the owner such as excessive nighttime activity or tagging for example. A behavioral disorder is abnormal, pathological behavior. These disorders require treatment by a specialist. Veterinarians very often deal with behavioral problems such as aggression in certain cats.

The aggressiveness of the cat can result in 2 different attitudes:

• Cat on the offensive: the back is round, the tail is bristly and the limbs are stiff. When this behavior is adopted, the cat seeks to impress its opponent and may possibly attack;
• Cat on the defensive: the ears are plastered, the coat is raised and the body is picked up. The cat may seek to attack if the threat is persistent.

The aggressiveness can be directed towards a person (foreign or not in the home), another animal, an object or a congener. Depending on the context, there are several types of aggression in cats:

• Aggression by irritation: the cat is frustrated, constrained or in pain. It is manifested by rumbling, movements of the tail and ears as well as mydriasis (dilated pupils);
• Aggression by fear: the cat cannot flee a situation which frightens it and will then adopt a defensive attitude. He can possibly attack suddenly and violently without prior signs of threat;
• Aggression by predation: the cat will attack its prey / toys. It can also affect the hands and feet of its owner. It first adopts an immobile phase of lookout before pouncing on it;
• Territorial and maternal aggressiveness: the cat can attack by intrusion on its territory. He will adopt attitudes sometimes on the offensive and sometimes on the defensive, which may be accompanied by vocalizations.

You should know that cats do not have hierarchical dominance behavior as in dogs. If they have been used to it, they can agree to share their territory with a fellow creature or another animal. The introduction of a new cat or other animal in your home must be done gradually, emphasizing reward and play.

Cat anxiety is a behavioral disorder linked to a change in its environment. It is manifested by signs of aggression through fear or irritation. This anxiety can be intermittent or permanent.

It can develop as a result of several events:

• Change of living environment, change from a house with access to the outside to an enclosed space (apartment), etc. ;
• Change in his diet;
• Basic needs not met;
• Arrival of a new animal / human in the household;
• Modification of its territory.

Other symptoms can be associated with this aggressiveness (vomiting, impulsive behavior, etc.). A consultation with a behavioral veterinarian is required in order to find the origin of this behavior and find an adequate solution. Indeed, the cat’s behavior can evolve into permanent anxiety and a substitution behavior (such as excessive licking) or even depression can set in.

Also, it is important to keep in mind that fear and anxiety can also be caused by punishment.

The so-called “petting-biting cat” syndrome reflects intermittent anxiety that can lead to aggression by irritation. In this context, it is the cat who goes to the owner for a caress but then becomes aggressive. It may have a low tolerance for physical contact and then makes it clear to its owner to leave it alone. It is therefore up to the owner to analyze the behavior of his cat in order to stop the action before the aggressive behavior occurs.

Properly educating a kitten requires stimulation and manipulation from an early age. If a cat has not been sufficiently stimulated (different games, meeting new people and other animals, etc.), it may subsequently develop what is called a withdrawal syndrome. There is a lack of socialization here. The affected cat can then develop aggressiveness out of fear. For example, a cat may not allow herself to be stroked by a stranger out of fear and become aggressive.

Moreover, if a cat is excited by a stimulus to which it does not have access, such as the sight of another cat outside for example, it can transfer its aggressiveness to a person / animal close to it. A lack of socialization or a significant event can be at the origin.

Note that some breeds of cats are naturally more comfortable with one person: their owner. The component is therefore hereditary here and it can be difficult to try to make certain breeds of cats coexist with other animals or even with children.

In any case, during aggressive behavior, a consultation with a behaviorist veterinarian can be interesting. Indeed, it is first of all necessary to determine whether this behavior is not the result of a health problem or physical pain. If a medical cause is ruled out, behavioral therapy can be implemented with or without prescription of medication.