Cat Aggression - Where, Why and When?

Fear Induced Aggression

When a cat is frightened, its response is two fold - 'fight or flight'. Most cats prefer the 'flight' option and choose to run away from real or imaginary danger, but if they feel cornered or trapped they may attack. Even the most timid cats will strike if there appears to be no way of escape. This type of aggression is probably the easiest for us to identify, however, timid cats may be afraid of all sorts of imaginary threats, like sudden movement or loud noises.

It is also feasible that your cat may have a traumatic past that makes it afraid of certain things, things that you may not be aware of This aggression is also the most common reaction to physical punishment. Cats do not learn from any kinds of punishment, physical or psychological, like the ones we use with dogs or children. Instead of changing their misbehavior because of its punishment, they are more likely to react violently because they are afraid of you.

Redirected Aggression

Sometimes cats cannot retaliate against the source of aggravation and they may redirect their response to the nearest person, cat, or other animal, which may be your dog. Your cat could be sitting in the window watching the world go by when it suddenly notices a dog, a cat, or something it's not seen before. It starts to get agitated but being indoors it cannot do much to deter the possible threat. You pass by and you casually stroke your cats head, the cat is more than likely to hiss and lash out at you with all that pent up aggression which to you may seem like an unprovoked attack.

Pain Induced Aggression

This is probably the easiest type for us to identify with, your cat is in a lot of pain, and so lashing out while she is in this confused state seems natural to her. For this we usually sympathize with our cat when she lashes out at the vet, for example during a painful procedure. Remember the cat doesn't understand that this is for her own good and her natural reaction is to defend herself from pain.