Why is Kitty So Mad? It Could Be Redirected Aggression

We recently received a request to help a confused cat’s parent. The cat she was caring for suddenly decided to attack randomly the cat’s parent and the other cats, her dog … The cat has always been a loving and sweet cat, and this sudden behavior was a complete surprise to the entire family. After having cleared any medical concerns with their vet and the cat’s mother, the kitty’s mom was able to schedule a behavioral treatment with us here at Cat Behavior Alliance.

When the cat’s owner asked questions regarding the cat’s behavior in the Zoom session, the motive behind what was deemed to be “bad” conduct became crystal obvious: This was a typical case of an aggressive redirected attack. What was the real reason for the cat’s aggression? New neighbors were moving in, and the view of their cats out in the yard sent the cat to the brink of madness. Cats are always looking for predators and there was a potential predator just a few feet away that the cat could spot but was unable to touch. In a state of inaction, unable to confront the real source of anger and pain cat had turned its anger towards any animal near enough to be touched.

What causes redirected aggression in cats?

Redirected aggression, sometimes referred to as dislocated aggression is among the most frequent behavioral issues for cats. In simple terms, something occurred which caused the cat to be scared and their survival instincts were in charge. It’s the traditional “fight or flight” reflex activating and protects cats from becoming prey in the wild.

In a state of not being able to get the source of the conflict, The cat could think that fighting a cat in the house, a pet, or even humans is a necessity to live. Consider, for instance, the way we humans can misuse our anger. A man who was unhappy at work could return home from work and start yelling at children. It’s not his kids who he’s angry the boss, but his boss, but he’s not able to control his temper properly. It’s not a moral choice. The anxiety builds up and needs to come out! Displaced aggression is a cat behavior that works exactly the same way.

What is my cat so upset about?

What could trigger inappropriate aggressive behavior in your cat that is normally a friendly one? Anything your cat might see as an invasion of his home or his resources could trigger the aggression. Additionally, the inability of the cat to take on the source of the threat could result in an unintended reaction toward the threat.