Behaviour modification involves desensitisation and counter-conditioning by slowly introducing the cat to the fearful situation in a gradual, controlled sequence. Firstly, the cat is offered a tasty treat such as vegemite, chicken, or dehydrated liver.
Then, while the cat is eating, the fearful stimulus other cat is gradually introduced at a distance. The initial distance should be great enough not to cause any fearful response from the cat. This gradual approach may vary from days to months depending on the severity of the problem.
The cat should not be forced into the fearful situation as that will exacerbate the fear. Medication may also be needed your vet will advise. Punishment, or forced restraint will aggravate the situation and must never be used as it is likely to increase the anxiety and impede learning. In male-male aggression the cat flattens his ears, howls, hisses, pilo-erects and uses both the teeth and claws in fights.
The signs may be either active threatening or passive blocking access. In some cases it may be normal male-male aggression associated with mating.
It increases during the breeding season and with overcrowding. In neutered cats it tends to appear later and it may be associated with social role status. Treatment may also involve changing the social environment. Cats in the same household should initially be separated so that no visual contact is possible and reintroducing them slowly as described for redirected aggression.
It is important not to try to introduce them too fast, or too soon. In some cases permanent separation is necessary. It is sometimes difficult to recognise play aggression as some cats play more roughly than others and do not retract their claws when they swat.
Targets are usually moving objects or people and may be another cat, especially an older one, in the household. Young cats, especially those that are orphaned, hand raised or weaned early, are more likely to show this type of aggression and in many cases it may be normal behaviour.
The aim of treatment is to redirect the play behaviour onto more suitable objects rather than trying to stop the behaviour completely. However, the toys need to be changed at regular intervals, even daily, for the cat to maintain interest.
The cat may first need to be taught how to play, and then encouraged to play with toys. Direct punishment, such as smacking, must not be used as this may encourage the behaviour and may lead to other problems, such as fear aggression or redirected aggression. A regular routine that involves interactive play time involving toys times daily for minutes is important to provide a natural outlet for the behaviour. Our programme promises to support you through every stage of your journey.
Next article. How Do Cats Show Affection? Understanding Cats. Related topics. Our experts are here to help you. Our experts are here to help. Get in touch with us directly any time, any way. Message us. Contrary to popular belief, hissing is not an aggressive behavior, nor is it generally exhibited by an aggressive cat. Hissing is a defensive gesture. It is almost always exhibited by a cat that feels victimized, antagonized, or threatened in some way. Hissing is often a way to avoid a physical confrontation.
Our kitties are creatures full of mystery. They may go from purring little sweethearts to suddenly despise the sight of you. What causes the switch to flip in behavior from purring, snacking, snuggling kitties to growling ones?
Why do cats growl? Cats have various vocalizations that they use to communicate, and growling or hissing is a common way in which cats express themselves. A cat who growls, spits, or hisses indicates a clear sign they are agitated, angry, or afraid of something. Growling is a raspy, harsh, guttural sound that your sweet kitty produces for various reasons. A cat performs the sound with its mouth slightly open.
As the cat slowly exhales, air escapes causing the vocal folds to vibrate. Sometimes it may sound like a short grunt; other times, it may remind you a bit of yowling. It can also be combined with other sounds like moans, yowls, howls, and hisses. Cats have different senses to humans, so when you see your adorable kitty hissing into thin air, it may not be a ghost they are seeing.
Even though your cat seems to be merely staring into thin air, there are things that our human senses cannot pick up. Bristled fur, ear movements, tail position, teeth, etc.
Growling, accompanied by their body language, such as bristled fur, is a sure warning sign. Some cats often growl and use caution flags to protect their territory from other animals on the other side of the windowsill perch. Not all growls are signals of aggression or for territorial reasons. Cats can get scared and start to growl out of fear.
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