Your little furry friends can at times get aggressive. Although you love them a lot and like to pamper them, their aggressive side needs to be controlled especially in this early age so that this pattern is not followed in the years to come. This is only possible through socialization and the kitten being gentled enough.
Reasons behind Aggression
Basically, cats are inherently aggressive. By nature, they are to survive by catching prey. However, when we give them a domestic environment, their actual nature cannot be expected to change. So, the kittens will play aggressively. Mostly, they do tend to overgrow this tendency. This also to an extent depends on the kind of breed you buy. Some breeds like the Burmese or Siamese are more aggressive than other breeds such as the Ragdoll, Birman or Persian.
Types of Aggression
Play aggression is the type of behavior that a kitten exhibits with its sibling and at times mother. Since nature has to make them learn how to survive, they will play rough. However, throughout this rough play it is maintained among the litter that this is mere play. The kittens are checked by their mother and play-mates if they are over-doing the aggression part. They will pounce, chase, stalk, wrestle, bite and scratch. Whenever they transgress their limits, it is either met with a scowl or swat from its mother, or retaliation or the refusal to play from its mates. The sole purpose in the kitty's mind is to play so it learns that this behavior is unacceptable and refrains from it. This type of aggression can also be called mock aggression since the kitten only wants to play.
Aggression is at times induced by the owner while he is playing with the kitten and giving it liberties that he should not. This includes letting the kitten bite or scratch while playing. It is fine as long as it is a kitten but this habit cannot be unlearned when it grows up to being stronger and when the bites will result in a lot of pain or even blood.
This is a type of aggression exhibited by cats when they are fearful. Their fear can arise from stranger if they have not been properly socialized during kitten-hood. They also not like being picked by a stranger and react aggressively. Fear aggression is fueled if the cat learns from experience that being aggressive will ward off the menace.
All animals are very particular about their territories and will guard them. Cats will get aggressive if they fear their territorial limits have been breached by some other animal. This is also a result of lack of proper socialization.
Health Reasons
Aggression in cats can also be because of medical reasons. Hence, it must not be assumed that any of the above reasons are necessarily the only ones.
Aggression Signs
There are certain signs that point towards the cat getting aggressive. These are laid back ears, dilated pupils, pointed stare, rustling tail and squirming rear end. If you notice any of these, just walk away from whatever you are doing.
Surprise Attacks!
Your kittens surprise attacks may catch you off-guard at times. To not sound alarmed and keep your composure, find out your kittens favorite ambush spots The moment you suspect that your kitten is going to pounce on you, clap loudly and say no firmly. You can put a bell around the kittens neck so that you are informed of its whereabouts.
Remedies for Aggression in Kittens
Irrespective of how much you enjoy playing with your cat, never let your body be the centre of attention e.g. your fingers, hands or feet. Instead, use small toys and move them vigorously so that the kitten is attracted to them and plays and scratches them in your place. To discourage aggressive behavior you may also stop playing with your kitty as soon as it gets aggressive. Immediately withdraw from the game and say a firm no. Get up and ignore the kitten. This way it will learn that such a behavior is not acceptable. If you cant stop playing with your kitten but are upset about the resultant scratches and blood, just buy a pair of gardening gloves. This will keep the kitten from giving you serious scratches and you can play with it as much as you want to!
Over stimulation aggression can be dealt with in the way that notice your kittens general behavior and record the time after which the kitten usually starts getting aggressive. For future reference, stop petting your cat before that time, say 5 minutes. This will help the kitten keep its cool. In case the kitten catches you off guard by attacking you suddenly, be patient and do not move a lot or it will give the kitten the impression that you are playing along and will excite her. It will hurt for a while and being patient then is hard, but it will be fruitful too. Very gently free whatever part of the body the kitten is clinging to either by teeth or claws. Firmly say no and you may even scold her! Then, get up, move away and start ignoring it.
If you think the kitten is going overboard, you can hold her by the scruff for a bit and howl at her. However, the kitten may take this reaction as encouragement. Just make it clear to her that aggressive play wont do, not even once or twice. You have to put your foot down and be consistent. Never allow the kitten to play aggressively with you come what may. Stop her instantly with a loud no and a clap if possible. Sprinkling a little water on the kitten can be a very harsh measure but it can be used if there is nothing else that is working.
If you have not socialized your kitten with other people or animals, it will grow up to be aggressive towards them. It is though not impossible but very difficult to train a grown up cat. Training a kitten is much easier so it is recommended that if you have a kitten it should be sufficiently trained and socialized. Visits to the vet, grooming sessions, visits by strangers must all be associated with good memories. The kitten must be well-acquainted with being touched and examined. You can teach this behavior by scratching the kittens head or its back. Always do this when the cat is calm and satisfied. Very gradually pet more parts of the body and praise it for staying calm. You can inculcate a social behavior through treats as well. For being a good kitten in front of the vet or strangers, you may award it with treats.
You should also keep your kitten occupied at all times with the help of toys such as ping-pong balls, a feather, a toy mouse or even a crumple paper ball. You can even find small toys at home to amuse your kitten. A 15 minute play twice a day will suffice.
You need to give your cat a lot of attention. You must shower him with praise when hes being a good boy and scold him when hes not. Also, buy a scratching post for your kitten or make one at home. Cats have a craving for scratching.
Patience is the key! Do not lose your patience. The kitten will turn out just fine! It will eventually grow out of this stage. So do not fret and be tolerant and persistent. If you want, you may also adopt two instead of one kitten. This way, the kittens will focus their aggressive energies on each other
Reasons behind Aggression
Basically, cats are inherently aggressive. By nature, they are to survive by catching prey. However, when we give them a domestic environment, their actual nature cannot be expected to change. So, the kittens will play aggressively. Mostly, they do tend to overgrow this tendency. This also to an extent depends on the kind of breed you buy. Some breeds like the Burmese or Siamese are more aggressive than other breeds such as the Ragdoll, Birman or Persian.
Types of Aggression
- Play Aggression
Play aggression is the type of behavior that a kitten exhibits with its sibling and at times mother. Since nature has to make them learn how to survive, they will play rough. However, throughout this rough play it is maintained among the litter that this is mere play. The kittens are checked by their mother and play-mates if they are over-doing the aggression part. They will pounce, chase, stalk, wrestle, bite and scratch. Whenever they transgress their limits, it is either met with a scowl or swat from its mother, or retaliation or the refusal to play from its mates. The sole purpose in the kitty's mind is to play so it learns that this behavior is unacceptable and refrains from it. This type of aggression can also be called mock aggression since the kitten only wants to play.
- Induced Aggression
Aggression is at times induced by the owner while he is playing with the kitten and giving it liberties that he should not. This includes letting the kitten bite or scratch while playing. It is fine as long as it is a kitten but this habit cannot be unlearned when it grows up to being stronger and when the bites will result in a lot of pain or even blood.
- Fear Aggression
This is a type of aggression exhibited by cats when they are fearful. Their fear can arise from stranger if they have not been properly socialized during kitten-hood. They also not like being picked by a stranger and react aggressively. Fear aggression is fueled if the cat learns from experience that being aggressive will ward off the menace.
- Territorial Aggression
All animals are very particular about their territories and will guard them. Cats will get aggressive if they fear their territorial limits have been breached by some other animal. This is also a result of lack of proper socialization.
- Over stimulation and Excitement Aggression
Sometimes while you are petting your cat, it can start causing irritation. Cats also have a limit after which they don't need anymore petting. When their saturation point is reached, they will start pouncing on you. It is also possible that you might have touched a sensitive or painful area. At times, continuous pleasurable stimulation can suddenly excite the kitten a lot resulting in aggressive behavior. Sexual excitement will also cause the same.
Health Reasons
Aggression in cats can also be because of medical reasons. Hence, it must not be assumed that any of the above reasons are necessarily the only ones.
Aggression Signs
There are certain signs that point towards the cat getting aggressive. These are laid back ears, dilated pupils, pointed stare, rustling tail and squirming rear end. If you notice any of these, just walk away from whatever you are doing.
Surprise Attacks!
Your kittens surprise attacks may catch you off-guard at times. To not sound alarmed and keep your composure, find out your kittens favorite ambush spots The moment you suspect that your kitten is going to pounce on you, clap loudly and say no firmly. You can put a bell around the kittens neck so that you are informed of its whereabouts.
Remedies for Aggression in Kittens
Irrespective of how much you enjoy playing with your cat, never let your body be the centre of attention e.g. your fingers, hands or feet. Instead, use small toys and move them vigorously so that the kitten is attracted to them and plays and scratches them in your place. To discourage aggressive behavior you may also stop playing with your kitty as soon as it gets aggressive. Immediately withdraw from the game and say a firm no. Get up and ignore the kitten. This way it will learn that such a behavior is not acceptable. If you cant stop playing with your kitten but are upset about the resultant scratches and blood, just buy a pair of gardening gloves. This will keep the kitten from giving you serious scratches and you can play with it as much as you want to!
Over stimulation aggression can be dealt with in the way that notice your kittens general behavior and record the time after which the kitten usually starts getting aggressive. For future reference, stop petting your cat before that time, say 5 minutes. This will help the kitten keep its cool. In case the kitten catches you off guard by attacking you suddenly, be patient and do not move a lot or it will give the kitten the impression that you are playing along and will excite her. It will hurt for a while and being patient then is hard, but it will be fruitful too. Very gently free whatever part of the body the kitten is clinging to either by teeth or claws. Firmly say no and you may even scold her! Then, get up, move away and start ignoring it.
If you think the kitten is going overboard, you can hold her by the scruff for a bit and howl at her. However, the kitten may take this reaction as encouragement. Just make it clear to her that aggressive play wont do, not even once or twice. You have to put your foot down and be consistent. Never allow the kitten to play aggressively with you come what may. Stop her instantly with a loud no and a clap if possible. Sprinkling a little water on the kitten can be a very harsh measure but it can be used if there is nothing else that is working.
If you have not socialized your kitten with other people or animals, it will grow up to be aggressive towards them. It is though not impossible but very difficult to train a grown up cat. Training a kitten is much easier so it is recommended that if you have a kitten it should be sufficiently trained and socialized. Visits to the vet, grooming sessions, visits by strangers must all be associated with good memories. The kitten must be well-acquainted with being touched and examined. You can teach this behavior by scratching the kittens head or its back. Always do this when the cat is calm and satisfied. Very gradually pet more parts of the body and praise it for staying calm. You can inculcate a social behavior through treats as well. For being a good kitten in front of the vet or strangers, you may award it with treats.
You should also keep your kitten occupied at all times with the help of toys such as ping-pong balls, a feather, a toy mouse or even a crumple paper ball. You can even find small toys at home to amuse your kitten. A 15 minute play twice a day will suffice.
You need to give your cat a lot of attention. You must shower him with praise when hes being a good boy and scold him when hes not. Also, buy a scratching post for your kitten or make one at home. Cats have a craving for scratching.
Patience is the key! Do not lose your patience. The kitten will turn out just fine! It will eventually grow out of this stage. So do not fret and be tolerant and persistent. If you want, you may also adopt two instead of one kitten. This way, the kittens will focus their aggressive energies on each other
