Physical Causes Of Cat Aggression

Cat aggression can have physical causes. A cat that has not been spayed or neutered is more likely to have periods of aggressive behavior. A female cat that has not been spayed may show aggression itself or provoke aggression in other cats. When one cat is in heat, it can affect the other cats in the household.

Spaying or neutering all the cats in the household can sometimes decrease the aggressive behavior between cats. Rarely, a surgery for spaying or neutering can leave some tissue behind that should have been removed. This neglected tissue could cause a cat to go into heat even though the cat has been spayed or neutered.

Cats that are prone to cat aggression should be thoroughly examined by the veterinarian. Cat aggression can be due to pain. If a cat is in pain, it cannot express it logically. It may become ill-tempered instead.

Any kind of pain can be a possible cause of cat aggressive behaviors. Dental pain may be noticeable if a cat has difficulty eating. If a cat has had urinary tract problems in the past and starts displaying aggressive behaviors, the veterinarian should be consulted to rule out a recurrence of a urinary tract infection or other urinary problems. Many cat diseases can cause changes in the temperament of the cat. Therefore, a household with an aggressive cat should seek advice and an exam from the veterinarian.

After potential physical causes for the cat aggression has been treated or ruled out, the cats in the household should be gradually reintroduced to each other. Cats are very territorial animals. Some or all of the aggression in cats could be due to territorial aggression. If the cats are gradually reintroduced to each other, it may ease any territorial tension that may exist.

Cats that are being reintroduced to each other should be given their own space away from other cats. By separating the cats into separate rooms, the cat’s scent becomes spread in that room. Then the cats should be exchanged into the room where the other cat was. This allows the cats to adjust to each other’s scents. Gradually, the cats can start to interact and should be given treats in the presence of each other so they associate the other cat as a positive.