Many pet owners are often surprised when their cat starts acting aggressively for seemingly no reason. In this article, we’ll explore the usual causes of aggression in cats, how to tell the difference between age-related changes and aggression, and how you can help your cat get back to its old happy self!
Diseases that Might Cause Aggression
There are a number of different diseases that can cause aggression in cats. If your cat is all of a sudden aggressive, it might be due to an underlying medical condition. Some of the diseases that might cause aggression include:
-Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV): This virus weakens the immune system and can cause a host of different health problems, including aggression.
-Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): Like FeLV, FIV weakens the immune system and can lead to various health problems, one of which is aggression.
-Hyperthyroidism: This disease results in an overproduction of thyroid hormone, which can cause many different symptoms, including irritability and aggression.
If your cat is suddenly displaying aggressive behavior, it’s important to take them to the vet to rule out any potential medical causes.
Other Factors to be Aware of
If you’ve never had an aggressive cat before, it can be quite a shock when your normally sweet and loving feline friend suddenly turns on you. Although there are many reasons why a cat may become aggressive, there are some common human factors that can contribute to the problem.
One of the most common reasons for feline aggression is fear. If a cat feels threatened or scared, he may lash out in order to protect himself. This can happen if you suddenly introduce a new pet or baby into the home, if there’s been a change in the family dynamic, or even if you’ve been handling your cat too roughly.
Another possible cause of aggression is stress. If your cat isn’t getting enough exercise or isn’t being given enough attention, he may become stressed and take it out on those around him. Cats also don’t like change, so anything from moving to a new house to rearranging the furniture can trigger your cat’s aggressive behavior.
When to Seek Help from a Veterinarian
No one enjoys dealing with a pet that is exhibiting aggression, whether it’s suddenly or not. If you have a cat that is all of a sudden aggressive, it’s important to understand why this may be happening and when you should seek help from a veterinarian.
There can be many reasons why a cat may become aggressive. It could be due to illness, pain, fear, or even something as simple as being in heat. If your cat is acting out of character and you’re not sure why, the best thing to do is take them to the vet for a check-up.
The vet will ask about your cat’s medical history and current symptoms during the appointment. They will also perform a physical examination to look for any possible medical causes of aggression. If no underlying medical condition is found, the vet may suggest behaviour modification strategies to help your cat become less aggressive.
Peaceful Ways to Deal with Feline Aggression
While aggression is not uncommon in cats, it can be startling when it first occurs. However, there are some peaceful ways to deal with feline aggression.
One way to deal with an aggressive cat is to provide it with plenty of opportunities to exercise. A tired cat is a happier cat, and a happier cat is less likely to be aggressive. Make sure your cat has plenty of toys to play with, and try to set aside some time each day for playtime.
You should also ensure that your cat has plenty of hiding places around your home. Cats like to have somewhere to retreat to when they feel threatened, so providing them with lots of hiding spots can help reduce their stress levels and make them less prone to lash out in aggression.
Finally, try not to punish your cat for being aggressive. This will only make them more stressed and could increase their aggression levels. Instead, provide positive reinforcement when they behave in a non-aggressive manner.
With a bit of patience and understanding, you can help reduce your cat’s aggression and enjoy a peaceful relationship with him.
Share with us, how do you deal with your cat’s aggression?
8 Comments
My cat is wonderful most of the time. I feel we are bonded. I never yell at him or show disapproval. But, often when I am in bed he comes over and attacks me,,claws and teeth out. I pick him up and close the bedroom door to him. But this doesn’t seem to stop the attack. I don’t understand what is going on.
It is possible that these sudden attitudes may be due to fear or a situation that may have upset him, You can take him to the veterinarian to see what peaceful corrective you can give him to avoid these situations.
My cat is 7 years old and he is all of a sudden howling lound and tryi g to attack me and hurt me … i dont understand why? Right out the blue. Any one have any advice ? On what to do
You can try to put into practice the tips we give you in our blog, such as allowing him to have more toys or hiding places, but if the problem persists, it would be better to take him to a vet so that you can find out why he is behaving the way he does.
My cat all of a sudden attached my husband and then come after me to now I’m scared of him. I live in a RV trailer and I have him closed in the bath room but we can’t go in there ourselves now I don’t know what to do
It is advisable to take him to a veterinarian to find out why he is so aggressive.
My eight year old cat became very aggressive to me and bit me 20 times one night. I went to the ER the next day. Could that happen again? Most of the time he sleeps on my lap. My husband wants to bring him back to the shelter where we adopted him. Is this something my cat will continue to do? He has been fine since the attack. Thank you.
I think it would be advisable to take him to a vet and tell him about this event, he might be able to give you a better answer as to what may have happened to your cat at that time.