If there is a reaction of cats that makes an impression (worth the redundancy) to those who see it, it is undoubtedly the way in which show their discomfort or anger. Its fur stands on end, its back arches, its mouth opens wide showing its teeth, its claws stick out and all while it stares at that animal (or person) that is making it feel bad.
But if you want to know why do cats bristle We must go further. We not only have to look at his current behavior, but we also have to find out what has caused him to behave like this.
Understanding cats a little more
The cat is a peaceful animal. In fact, will only be aggressive If it feels its life is in danger, it wants to mate, or it wants food. In any of these three situations, even the most sociable and affectionate feline can turn into a true "wild beast." But be careful, it's important to distinguish between feline instinct and actual aggression. Although they may seem like the same thing, the truth is that no animal is naturally aggressive: There are more or less violent behaviors, but this does not make him a violent cat per se, since he is not always on alert, nor does he spend much of his time 'stalking'.
But when he is mistreated, or when a new cat or dog comes home, He will not hesitate to raise his hair to look bigger. and thus intimidate their 'enemy'. When a human doesn't treat their pet properly, they can turn their cat into an aggressive animal that will growl and hiss at you in order to get you to go away. It will be a feline that will live in fear. In reality, Fear is often behind threatening behavior that these furry ones present, and also the insecurity.
What is piloerection and why does it occur?
The bristling of hair in cats is called piloerectionIt is a physiological response involuntary, controlled by the sympathetic nervous system (the famous "fight or flight" reaction). Small muscles located in each follicle, called arrector pili muscles, they contract and raise their fur. Something very similar happens to us humans when we get the goosebumps.
This reaction is usually accompanied by arch on the back, puffed-out tail, ears back, dilated pupils, and sometimes sideways movements with small jumps. All this "theatre" makes the cat appear larger and more imposing, with a clear objective: to deter the threat and avoid physical confrontation.
Most common causes of frizzy hair
- Fear or insecurity: triggers like a sudden noise, the appearance of a stranger or a sudden movement can trigger piloerection. It is common to see the bristly tail and arched back until the environment is perceived as safe again.
- Defense against a threat: When facing another cat or dog, the feline appears sideways, walks with small jumps and can snort. The flat ears protect from scratches and the stance maximizes their size to intimidate.
- Cold: the fur stands up to create a insulating air chamber which helps retain heat. If the cat is calm and curled up but with its fur slightly raised, it's probably he is cold.
- Fright or shock: similar to fear, but more pronounced in appearance suddenAdrenaline triggers the body's response and the fur immediately stands on end.
- Play and excitement: Especially in kittens and young animals, the tail may appear swollen during chases or intense play. The body, however, usually remains relaxed gestures, which differentiates this situation from real aggression.
- Illness or illness: fever, pain, stress derived from a pathology or lack of grooming Apathy can result in a more ruffled coat than normal. If it persists without any apparent cause, it's a good idea to consult your veterinarian.
How to read the tail and body
The tail is an excellent emotional compass. Some quick keys that will help you interpret the context:
- Vertical tail with hooked tip: interest and curiosityIf he also walks lightly and without tension, there is no cause for alarm.
- Swollen tail moving quickly from side to side: excitement o frustration. Observe if there is snorts or rigidity to distinguish between play or anger.
- Tail low or between the legs: fear or insecurity. It is often accompanied by ears back and a shrunken body.
What's more, if you live with a cat and take good care of it, surely only your hair stands on end in very specific situationsSuch as when, for example, there is a very loud noise and you wake up with a start, or when you hear the meow of another cat that is in the street. This is normal for a furry man, especially if he is happy. But if it is not, it will become antisocial, it will remain isolated from the family, and when there is someone who wants to pet it, it will simply not let itself: if he can, he will flee, but if not… he will be prepared to use his nails and teeth.
If you are a follower of the blog it is because you like these animals. You love them, and you are not going to hurt them, so it will interest you to know how to make your cat live happily and, incidentally, to ensure that he does not need to be aggressive at any time. So here are some tips:
Tips for the cat to be happy
You will hardly see a happy cat with bristling hair. The normal thing is that his look is tender, with eyes open or a little narrowed, mouth closed (he will only open it to yawn or meow), and his back will keep it more or less straight. The toenails will not be visible except when using the scratcher or playing with their toys.
This is very easy to do. Simply you have to take care of the cat, that is, to provide him with water and food, and to love him. In depending on what situations you have to be very patient, especially if it is a young animal that spends all day running from here to there exploring its territory (your house). If you pay attention to it, if you spend time with it and it is not ignored, tomorrow you will live with a sociable adult cat who will like to be with people. You won't have to raise your hair Because they won't feel insecure or uncomfortable, unless you decide to expand your family, of course ; in this case, it's very important to socialize them little by little and gradually, so that in the end, at least, they'll end up accepting each other's presence. How do you do this? Like this:
Keys to daily well-being
- Predictable environment: Respects routines for eating, playing, and resting. Sudden changes increase the risk of Stress and promote bristling.
- Environmental enrichment: scrapers, high places, hiding places, boxes, interactive toys and window viewing areas reduce boredom and anxiety.
- Sufficient resources: at least one litter tray per cat + 1, several separate food and water bowls, and escape zones if several animals live together.
- Quality time: Daily sessions of hunting-release play (rods, feathers), followed by food, help channel Energy and improve behavior.
What to do when your cat bristles
- Offers space: Avoid touching or staring at it; walk away slowly and withdraw the stimulus if possible (noise, visit, animal).
- Reduce stimuli: Turn down the volume, close the curtains, turn off the vacuum cleaners; an environment quiet accelerates the return to calm.
- Redirect with soft play: When it relaxes, use a rod from a distance to release tension in a safe way.
- Synthetic facial pheromones: can help lower anxiety in specific situations or adaptation processes.
When to worry and consult the veterinarian
- Frequent bristling without clear cause or lasting for long periods.
- Accompanying signs: apathy, fever, lack of appetite, nocturnal vocalizations, limping or pain to the touch.
- Behavior changes marking (constant hiding, sudden aggression, elimination outside the litter box).
How to get my cat to get along with the new family member
Regardless of the breed it is and the legs it has, it is advisable not stop giving love to the cat that we already had, since it is very possible that otherwise you end up feeling isolated, so to attract attention you would begin to urinate out of the tray, lose your appetite and / or harass the new member. Cats are very territorial animals, and when someone new arrives, you need to relate to them little by little:
- The first days will be uncomfortable in the presence of the new, and most likely not even close.
- When you've gotten a little bit of confidence, then will approach him to smell it.
- As the days go by (depending on the cat, they can be from a few weeks to months) will spend more time with him.
- You will know they have become friends when you see them play, or grooming very close to each other.
To help you, what we can do is put the new animal inside a room, with a bed, food, water and a sandbox. After a couple of days, We will exchange the bed of 'new' for the one of the 'old' so that they get used to the body odor of what, if all goes well, will be their new friend.
When another seven days pass, the 'new' will most likely want to go out and the 'old' will want to meet him, so the 'new' will be put in a carrier and left in a room. If we see that the 'old' shows interest, that is, if we see him approach, smell it, or stick a leg between the holes in the door grill as if he wanted to touch it, we can let the 'new' out; otherwise it is best to try again the next day. Throughout this process, it will be the 'old' cat that tells us when it is ready to accept the new member of the family, as it is the one that arrived first.
Extra tips for a conflict-free presentation
- Progressive exchange of smells: In addition to beds, rub a soft gauze on each cat's cheek and leave it nearby of the other to associate the smell with safety.
- Visual and safety barriers: half-open doors, bars or baby fences allow you to see and smell each other without direct contact.
- Game and prizes in parallel: feeds and plays with both of them certain distance, rewarding calm to create positive associations.
- Short and frequent sessions: Several short interactions a day work better than one long one; it always ends in a positive point.
- Don't force contact: avoid holding them so they can smell each other; voluntary curiosity It is an indicator of genuine progress.
- Pheromones and duplicate resources: help minimize the competition and territorial tensions.
Cats are generally peaceful. They can have aggressive behaviors, but only in very specific situations. If you see that your cat's hair stands on end, stay away from him and let him calm down; only then will it be able to return to its natural state. Observe its body language and the context: if there is fear, fright or play, the response strategy and recovery time will vary. Remember that bristling is involuntary and it does not imply “evil”, but rather a form of communication and defense.
We hope this special serve you To find out why cats bristle. Let's take care of them.
