We received this question recently from a concerned cat owner. Most of the time, these attacks are redirected aggression, meaning something triggered your cat’s aggression, and it happened that you’re on the receiving end. There are a lot of potential triggers in this case, ranging from stress, fear, threat, and even medical problems.
Loud sounds like an explosion, noise from the TV, or a falling object will startle a cat. And in the state of confusion, your furball may redirect the reaction to you. Like humans, fear can get the best out of your pet. This is why I won’t consider this a behavioral problem, but a knee-jerk reaction to an extreme stressor.
Cats are territorial beings, so the presence of another kitty may trigger your pet’s aggression. It’s possible that your cat got scared of a dog, which then vents out its fear to you.
A new pet is a massive change in your household. And as you know, cats hate sudden changes. Whether it’s a dog or a cat, the presence of the new pet could make your cat very territorial. You’ll observe increased spraying and aggression toward the other animal. And if you try to touch your cat during a stand-off, it may fight you back.
Conclusion
So one day, your cat is just sitting by the window when it suddenly lunged at you. It’s possible that the kitty saw a squirrel or a prey outside that ticked their hunting button on. And with the rush of adrenaline, they may use their hunting mode on you.
Conclusion
Lastly, your cat is possibly suffering from a medical condition. Your cat may attack you out of nowhere even if you’re just cuddling. Cats don’t understand pain, so once they feel it, they may associate it with your presence, thus the attack.
Conclusion
After an encounter with the stressor, your cat will be emotionally unstable. Never use your body to block its way, or you’ll end up with bloody bites or cat scratches. Avoid petting, touching, or going too near an agitated cat. Let the situation cool down before you touch your pet.
Conclusion
If another pet fuels the aggression, keep your cat away until it calms down. You can re-introduce the feline later on but do it slowly to prevent another aggressive encounter. If your cat shows signs of aggression, you can drop a pillow or make a distracting sound to break the tension.
Conclusion
However, if you can’t find the reason behind the attack, you should bring your cat to the vet. Medical tests will help rule out any potential medical problem that’s triggering the aggression. If the veterinarian diagnosed a health issue, it should be addressed right away.
Conclusion
If a friend brought a pet in your home, make sure that you remove the foreign smell. You may not see it, but these guest cats may spray around your home. Your cat will hate this smell, and it may trigger their territorial tendencies even if the other feline is no longer around.
Conclusion