You are here:

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/My cat suddenly became aggressive

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/3/2008


Question
Hi,

I have a lovely one and a half year old female tabby that I've raised since she was two months old. Shes always been shy and doesn't let anyone other than me pick her up. Well she was lying on my chair and I moved to pick her up and put her on the rug . As soon as my hands touched her she went wild, snarled and scratched up my hand with both paws. She scratched my hand pretty badly, it was bleeding in several places. I am totally confused. She is very gentle and has never done anything of the sort before. Could it be that she's not well or is coming down with something? I'm worried, please advise.

Regards,
Khan

Answer
Khan,

Anytime a cat's behavior has a noticeable change it is wise to take her to the vet. Severe pain or an illness can cause a cat to become aggressive. She may have injured herself somehow, she may have a serious infection, etc.

There is a behavior problem call "Redirected Aggression". That is when a cat can see stray cats out the window but cannot get to them to defend their territory so they attack other animals in the family, or if there are no other animals they can and do attack their owners. If that is the case, blocking the window she can see stray cats out of should stop the behavior.

I would find out if it is a medical issue though before treating it as a behavioral problem.



Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.