Cat aggression and cat attacks may be either predatory or play aggression, and look identical. But when the kitten grapples your bare feet and chomps down, it's anything but fun and games for owners. You may suspect Fluff-Baby has turned into Demon-Cat, but truly, this is normal kitten behavior and he's not channeling his "inner lion" and planning to eat you.
Cat Attack and Play Aggression
Both play aggression and predatory aggression include distinct body language: any combination of stealth, silence, alert stance, hunting postures, and lunging or springing at "prey" that moves suddenly after being still.Owners are typical play aggression targets of singleton kittens. Nearly any type of movement, from walking to picking up an object, triggers the behavior. What begins as "play" can tip over into dangerous aggression, bites, and outright attacks when the kitten or cat becomes aroused.
Targets of Play Aggression
Your hands and feet are typical targets. But predation directed toward human infants or smaller pets represents the greatest danger. This happens with adult cats that trigger to the motion or sound that reminds them of prey, and "switches on" the hunt behaviors.Over-the-top play is normal and hand raised kittens and those weaned early seem to have increased risk even as adults. They'll terrorize shy cats, bully smaller kittens, and pester geriatric felines as well as targeting owners. Youngsters usually outgrow the behavior by nine months or so, and confident adult cats usually put these obnoxious felines in their place.
7 Ways to Stop Cat Play Aggression
- Provide safe areas where the picked on felines won't be molested, such as high perches or separate rooms.
- Place a bell on the attack cat to warn victims in time to escape, and so you can interrupt and stop the behavior.
- Hissing from an aerosol, a water gun, citronella sprays and other interruptions may stop the attack cold. Experiment to find what works best for your kitty.
- A leash and harness can be attached to the cat for control and interruption of undesirable behavior. You simply step on the end of the leash to stop him in his tracks.
- Play interactive games with all your cats to burn off energy. Move toys perpendicular to line of sight-across cats' field of vision rather than toward or away from her-to spark the greatest interest. Interactive play encourages confidence in shy cats so they'll kick Sheba's furry tail and teach her manners.
- Create a regular routine that includes specific playtimes, so the cats learn to expect fun interactive times.
- A second kitten of the same age, size and temperament provides a legal target and playmate, as well as teaching bite and claw inhibition. Be sure to properly introduce the pair.