For many years, and even today, it has been thought that cats that behaved violently had to be punished. hitting them, yelling at them, locking them in a roomor even rubbing their snouts in their urine when they relieved themselves in places that were not intended for that purpose.
These practices did work, but not what the people wanted. Animals that have been educated (or rather, poorly educated) in this way lived in fear, which led them to continue doing what they had been punished for. Thus, those people who must have been his family did not hesitate to abandon them. To avoid it, we are going to tell you how to punish an aggressive cat correctly And, above all, how to understand why he behaves this way and what you can do to help him.
Why is my cat misbehaving?
That's a question many humans ask themselves when their beloved furry friend does things that, in human eyes, aren't right, like relieve themselves outside the tray, scratch and/or bite someone, tearing up chairs or sofas with their claws, or fighting with the new member of the family.
Cats ... are cats. We don't have to forget it. They are nocturnal predators that remain active especially at night, and that are also very territorialThis leads them to mark their territory to defend it. If you want your friend to be a sociable and affectionate animal, you must raise it with respect and love from day one, otherwise it will be very difficult for it to overcome its fear because, yes, if they are not respected, if you don't have patience with them, they grow up fearful.
Besides their hunting instinct, many factors can make a cat appear "bad" or aggressive. Among the most frequent causes cited by specialists are:
- FearA cat that has had negative experiences with people or other animals may react with scratches or bites when it feels threatened.
- StressCats detest sudden changes in their environment. Moving, renovations, constant visitors, or changes in routine can generate a level of stress that manifests as aggression.
- Poor early socializationIf a cat has not lived with other cats or people as a kitten, it can become a distrustful adult with disproportionate reactions.
- pain or illnessMany aggressive cats are actually suffering. Simple contact with a painful area can trigger a violent reaction.
- Territory protectionWhen another cat, a dog, or even a person invades what it considers "its safe zone," it may respond with growling, hissing, and attacks.
- redirected aggressivenessThe cat becomes agitated by something it cannot reach (for example, another cat at the window) and takes out that discomfort on the first thing it sees, even its caretaker.
Just as you dedicate time to getting to know your human friends, you should do the same with the cat you have at home. By understanding their body language, you can decipher their message.That's what they're trying to tell you. This way, it will be easier for you to understand what's wrong. You can find a lot of information about this on this blog, for example in this article.
Some body signs of irritation or possible attack that are worth knowing are:
- Rapid movements of the tip of the tail, like a whip.
- Ears pointing backward or lying flat against the head.
- Very dilated pupils and a fixed gaze.
- Rigid body, slightly hunched over and with bristling hair.
- Snorts, grunts, or deep meows directed at a person or animal.
If you pay attention to these details, you will be able to interrupt an interaction before things escalate and avoid situations where your cat is forced to bite or scratch to defend itself.
How to punish an aggressive cat?
When your cat misbehaves, You have to think about their safety as much as your own.If you see that its life is in danger or that it feels threatened, you have to try to get it out of that situation, but keeping in mind that its claws and teeth are made for hunting small prey, and could do a lot of damage to a human.
Therefore, You should never try to pick him up when he feels nervous.Nor should you try to calm him down like a child. He's a cat desperately seeking an escape route. He may have been frightened by something and feel so unwell that he needs to get as far away as possible, so What you should do is open the bedroom door and let him leave. to another area of ​​the house where she can feel calm again.
Many feline behavior guides emphasize that The cat should not be scolded, hit, or yelled at.These types of punishments only increase fear and distrust, and make aggression worse. The most effective approach is:
- Increase the distance when the cat is agitated.
- Avoid staring at him and don't chase him.
- Gently close a door or use a physical barrier if you need to protect someone.
- Wait until she calms down before trying to interact again.
You must never mistreat himNot even if it has hurt someone, because it wouldn't understand, and besides, it's against the law to treat an animal that's supposed to be part of the family that way. Only when you see it calmer can you offer it wet food or something it really likes so it feels confident again and can resume its normal life.
One way to "correct" without punishing is to use soft verbal markersFor example, a short "ouch" or "no" when your dog bites you playfully. It's not about yelling, but about making a clear sound that indicates this behavior has a consequence: the game is over. After that warning:
- Stop the game or interaction for a few seconds or minutes.
- Don't touch him or talk to him until he's calm.
- Resume contact only when their body language is relaxed again.
This type of correction, always combined with positive reinforcement When the child behaves well (petting, gentle words, rewards, play), it is much more effective and respectful than any physical punishment.
Help your friend
Behind feline aggressiveness is almost always fearFear of losing territory, fear of losing their life, fear that the animal (or person) will hurt them again. Sometimes they misbehave because that's what they learned as a kitten, for example, when they were allowed to bite or scratch. "They weren't hurting anyone," is possible, but if they weren't taught as a kitten to... not bite nor to scratch, when he is older, it is normal for him to continue doing it.
Besides fear, the pain and illness, such as the OsteoarthritisInjuries are a very common cause of sudden changes in temperament. Cats with fractures or illnesses may behave aggressively if you pet them in the painful area. They can also become irritable when suffering from hormonal, neurological, or joint problems. Therefore, it's always a good idea to visit the veterinarian to find out exactly what's wrong and how to treat it.
Some signs that may indicate that aggression is related to pain or fear are:
- Fearful attitudes in response to noises or movements that did not affect him before.
- Frequent tail whipping even when he is seemingly calm.
- Tendency to hide and avoid contact, especially at certain times of the day.
- Violent reactions when you touch a specific part of the body.
- Decreased appetite or a sudden refusal to use the sandbox.
Whenever your dog misbehaves, you not only need to give them that outlet we talked about earlier, but it's also very important to make sure they're healthy. If the vet rules out a medical cause, it might be helpful to consult a veterinarian. feline ethologist, a behavioral specialist, to assess the case and give you personalized guidelines.
If there are children at home you have to teach them to care for and respect the catChildren have a strong tendency to grab animals' tails and do all sorts of things that the furry creatures don't like, so you have to prevent little ones from treating the cat that way. For their own good, they shouldn't be left alone, as you never know what might happen, or when.
To prevent conflicts with children:
- Explain to them that a cat is not a toy, but a living being that feels.
- show them how to gently caress it and in which areas it usually tolerates contact best.
- Teach them to identify signs of discomfort, such as a twitching tail or ears pinned back.
- Avoid having the cat picked up if it is not used to it.
It's also essential to reduce stressful situations. Cats are creatures of habit, so it helps them a lot to have:
- Meal and play routines more or less stable.
- An environment enriched with scratching posts, high places, boxes and hiding places.
- A quiet, private space, away from noise, where you know no one will bother you.
- Toys that allow him to safely release his hunting instinct, such as wands, balls, or feathers.
Finally, I would like to say something: when you decide to have a cat you should dedicate time to it. It is very sad to see these animals sleeping all day without having anything to do. Boredom and frustration can lead to aggressive behaviors, so feel free to give your friend a lot of love.
He'll thank you for it  A cat who feels understood, respected and encouraged It is much less likely to show aggression and easier to manage if it does have a bad reaction. Understanding the causes, avoiding physical punishment, reinforcing good behavior, and seeking professional help when necessary are the foundations for living with a balanced and confident cat.
