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There are many causes of aggression in cats, some directed towards humans, some directed towards other pets. In any case of aggression, the first step is to take your cat to the vet for a thorough medical examination to rule out anything medical causing the aggressive behavior. What causes play aggression?Play aggression is usually seen in kittens & young active cats under 2 years of age. As frustrating as it can be towards their human companions, play aggression is quite normal in kittens. This type of aggression is predatory in nature & is commonly seen among littermates, and not only does it provide exercise for the kittens but also serves as a way to practice & learn predatory behavior which in the wild is necessary to hunt down & kill prey. While a kittens littermates are happy to engage in this type of behavior with one another, it is not so enjoyable to us humans or older cats. The good news is that play aggression does taper off as the cat reaches adulthood. How to deal with play aggression:- The best way to deal with this type of aggression is to redirect it towards a more appropriate source such as cat toys. Ensure you provide your cat with adequate toys in which to explore his predatory behaviors such as wand type toys (on a rod, with a feather at the end of some string) to chase & soft toys to attack.
- Spend 30-60 minutes per day actively playing with your kitten, this provides an outlet for excess energy & you can direct the play fighting towards appropriate toys.
- If your kitten is attacking you during petting, learn to read your cat's body language. Before an attack its eyes will be wide, tail swishing & the ears may be back & flat on the head. This is the time to stop petting.
- Often cats will ambush you as you walk down the stairs, or hide around a corner ready to pounce on you. Be prepared for this. If your cat jumps out at you, use a noise deterrent (such as a whistle) to startle the cat. Put a collar with a bell on your cat, giving you a better chance of hearing your cat before it startles you.
- At all costs, avoid playing roughhouse with your cat & wrestling with your hands.
- Use remote punishment as a way to discourage your cat from attacking. Some ideas for remote punishment include a water gun or alarm.
- Never use physical punishment on a kitten or cat. This will not discourage play aggression, in fact it could make the situation worse. It also serves to make your cat fearful of you.
What are some good toys for my kitten?There is an endless variety of toys on the market for cats. Toys which give your cat the opportunity to stalk, pounce & attack are the best. I have had great pleasure watching my cats play with wand type toys. Cheaper options include ping pong balls, old cotton reels (with the cotton removed), empty cardboard boxes, empty toilet rolls, basically anything that your cat can interact with. We also have a an article on keeping indoor cats happy.
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