Cat Attacks - Redirected Aggression Against Cat Owner or Other Pets

The cat's back bows and the hair stands straight up. Hissing through bared teeth and eyes glazed over. A cat attack is eminent, either against the cat owner or another pet in the home. What has overtaken the otherwise docile, sweet cat and caused such a scary and violent outburst? A classic case of cat behavior called redirected aggression.

What Triggers A Cat's Redirected Aggression?

Redirected aggression in cats is a normal feline response to the feeling of being invaded but not being able to attack the invader. Cats are very territorial and when an invader (especially another cat) passes through the cat's territory and the cat is unable to defend it's territory from the invader via an attack, the closest person, pet or object will suffice. The anger and frustration the cat feels at being invaded will be redirected towards something the cat can reach, resulting in a cat attack on a cat owner, household pet or an object like window curtains or a chair leg.

Remove The Triggers To Prevent Redirected Aggression

It's usually an indoor cat that loves to perch on the window sill and look out the window monitoring his or her territory that will display the most frequent signs of redirected aggression. If the docile window sill perching cat freaks out when seeing another animal cross it's territory, remove the trigger and prevent a redirected aggression cat attack.

Block the cat's view from the window by planting shrubs or trees outside of the window. An exterior flower box planter with tall plants will also work to block the view. When an exterior view blocker is not possible, rearrange the interior to block the cat from accessing it's favorite window sill perch. Whatever triggers the redirected aggression, remove it or block it from the cat.

How To Diffuse A Bout Of Redirected Aggression

When it's too late for prevention and the cat is already in a trancelike state of anger after seeing a territorial invader, do not touch the cat. Usually, a wide berth around the cat until it calms down (which will be evident by the cat's relaxed body language) will work. Try to 'shoo' the cat away into a dark room to chill out until the cat's anger subsides and in cases of extreme redirected aggression and a cat attack is eminent despite the best of efforts, throw a towel or blanket over the cat's head and face to instantly diffuse the bout of redirected aggression.

Redirected aggression is a normal behavior for cats and a painful experience for the recipient of the cat attack. Prevent cat attacks by removing the triggers of the redirected aggression and/or diffuse the situation immediately.