How To Calm An Angry Cat? – When your cat lashes out it can be an ugly scene, whether provoked in some fashion or just a seemingly random outburst an angry cat can be tough to tame. This is especially true when you find yourself in harm’s way and covered with nicks and scratches on your arms, hands and sometimes even your face.
Lets come to the topic How To Calm An Angry Cat? And find some inportant tips.
How To Calm An Angry Cat?
Just like humans cats can become annoyed, upset and physically aggressive, it happens. How you address the matter and calm your cat can be the difference in not only quelling the issue at hand but also teaching your cat new behaviors so this problem won’t carry on and occur in the future.
If you found yourself constantly dealing with an angry and aggressive cat we’ve got your solutions stay tuned.
Why Do Cats Get Angry And Agressive?
Before we address several problem-solving techniques it’s important to understand why cats get angry? Understanding the why Can be of great benefit when it comes to tackling the How.
Cats have to have things their way, it’s just that simple. If they’re not happy you’re not going to be happy. If a cat is not getting its way if it feels threatened or if it’s directly responding to mistreatment whether literal or perceived it will likely respond with an outburst, sometimes a very aggressive outburst.
Ilness
Illness can also play a role. While it’s common for cats to retreat to isolation when they are ill some cats display anger. If your feline is unwell and you attempt to take the lead in the situation although well-meaning your cat could lash out in a big way. This is due to part sickness and part aggravation.
If you feel your cat wants privacy simply grant it and don’t push the issue too much and certainly don’t press your luck.
Lack Of Food Or Water
Other issues for your felines anger and displeasure can include lack of food or water. When you that becomes needy in this department it may resort to some form of aggression, just to get your attention, although this is a bit rare in most cases. The direct response to a fight with another animal can stimulate your cat in a very negative way and make them very hypersensitive and angry.
This is typically a situation where your cat is at odds with another animal and then takes it out on you moments later. This is why you should always use extreme caution when attempting to break up a cat fight.
Aggressive Petting
Aggressive petting can also be a trigger if your cat gets overstimulated during a petting session your furry pal could turn on you. Those nice belly rubs can quickly take a negative turn if you’re not careful. You could find yourself being kicked, scratched or bitten .
Anxiety Over The Introduction Of A New Pet
Anxiety over the introduction of a new pet can also be a major stressor and trigger for aggressive behavior. If your cat is having to deal with a new cat your feline may turn its aggression toward you.
Invasion Of Personal Space
Invasion of personal space is also an issue. Similar to the aforementioned illness your cat’s temper could go off the rails if you’re not giving your feline some room to breathe.
Loud And Unnerving Sounds
Loud and unnerving sounds can also cause a major problem. A vacuum cleaner for example or similar loud sounds can potentially cause an outburst, especially if you’re holding your cat when the sound begins you could be seriously scratched as you’re a cat attempts to escape your grasp and find cover.
Being Caged Or Pinned Up In An Aggressive Fashion
Being caged or pinned up in an aggressive fashion is also an issue. As a point of reference I’m not speaking to housing where there is plenty of room, fresh bedding, fresh food and fresh water, while this could annoy your cat true aggression comes from a quote unquote shoebox style housing, something like a small cat carrier for example.
If your cat is unable to turn around and somewhat control the situation your feline could become quite upset. Within these angry triggers there are also various defined types of aggression. They are noted as
- Play Aggression
- Fair Aggression
- Petting Aggression and
- Redirected Aggression
How To Relax An Angry Feline?
While most every cat owner has their own tricks of the trade and various ways to calm their cat and relax their nerves. There are four distinct ways to change your cat’s mood and settle them down.
1. Find The Root Cause Of Your Cat’s Anger
Look for clues many times addressing your cat is a futile effort if something within the environment that isn’t you is the root cause. If a specific trigger has sent your cat off it’s imperative to locate the trigger and eliminate it as soon as possible.
Unless you know that your cat is angry at you personally and you have no doubts never approach your cat if it’s mad. First attempt to find the reason behind your cat’s angry behavior.
2. Environment
Piggybacking on the heels of the first method it’s vital to provide your cat with a calming environment. It’s virtually impossible to settle your cat when the environment itself is raucous.
By introducing your cat’s favorite toys, soft bedding and other peaceful objects and familiarities you can help to relax your cat. Being left alone in a peaceful and calming room away from the action can also work wonders.
3. Use Soft Tones
While petting an angry cat can be quite a gamble. It can work in the right setting and in the right tone. If your cat is upset speak using soft verbal tones and familiar calming words that your cat has learned to embrace can diffuse the situation. Once you have your cat’s attention and its mood has shifted for the better gently pet your cat.
Look for physical cues of relaxation and then begin to physically calm your cat while continuing with soft verbal tones. Never attempt to calm your feline with your own verbal and physical aggression because this will end in the worst possible way.
4. Give Them Space
Give your cat space similar to the aforementioned tip about placing your cat alone in a calming room. Giving your cat space is vital. In this method you introduce relaxation practices and then simply leave your cat alone .
Don’t isolate them per se but let them naturally settle into the environment. This is a good solution if aggressive play or aggressive petting was the trigger that initially upset your cat. Soft petting, verbal calming and then personal time those three steps can ensure that your cat relaxes and changes its focus to something more peaceful.
Cats are independent by nature, if you leave the scene your cat will naturally return to a relaxed state. Generally speaking cats don’t stay mad for long leave the room for 20 or 30 minutes and then return there’s a good chance your cat will be glad to see you and ready for some soft pets.
Also Read How Do You Interpret A Cat’s Behavior? | Is It Easy?
What Are The Signs That Your Cat Is Angry?
Is there a bit of calm before the storm when it comes to a cat’s temper usually cats rarely attack without warning. While cats can be seemingly random in their attacks and with their anger. Felines typically display signs before they buy scratch yell etc.
As a cat owner especially if you’re a new owner knowing these signs can potentially allow you to defuse a situation before it begins. Symptoms of anger can include
- Quick swishes of the tail – This usually means that your cat is on the brink of lashing out, perhaps even seconds away this is a warning that whatever the trigger is needs to stop immediately.
Your cat distancing itself from you is also a sign if you’re petting or playing with your cat and your feline decides to put some space between you, it’s best to respect this space. This means I’m done (no more).
As an owner it’s best to stop playtime stop the petting session and allow you to cat some space this is your cat’s way of showing visible annoyance.
- Punching is also a sign that your cat is angry and high tension is in the air. if your cat is hunched down its head is up its ears are back this is a stance of aggression.
- Growls and yowls are also signs of displeasure most everyone knows. These sounds these are the low-pitched and gravely vocals sound such as these tell everyone to back away.
- Dilated eyes and raised fur – The final and most notable sign is that of dilated eyes and raised fur. If your cat’s eyes are as big as the moon and its fur is standing on end like a wave of electricity this is not promising stand back unless you want to get raked across the hand or the arm.
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