FEARFUL OR DEFENSIVE AGGRESSION
Defensive aggression occurs when the cat perceives
itself to be under a
threat from which it cannot escape. This type of aggression may be
recognized by the typical body postures which accompany it: crouching,
flattening of the ears against the head, hissing and spitting,
piloerection (hair standing up). These are all signals to the other
animal or person that further approach is likely to lead to a defensive
attack. The defensively aggressive cat only attacks when approached, it
does not seek out the source of the threat or pursue it if it withdraws.
The best way to deal with a defensively aggressive cat
is to avoid the cat until it calms down. You should not try to comfort
the cat by approaching it or picking it up. The cat should be left alone
until it relaxes enough to eat, play, or show affectionate behavior. In
some cases, several hours or more are required for the cat to settle
down. The person who is injured by the defensively aggressive cat is one
who did not heed the cat's warning signals. Children are often the
victims & should be taught to recognize the pertinent body language and
to respect the directive to "back off!".
Some cats exhibit this type of aggression toward
strangers who visit the home. If the cat has grown up with limited
experience with people other than the owners, it is more likely to fear
visitors. It is also possible for a cat to adopt this attitude toward
strangers if it was at one time mistreated or teased and therefore will
be distrustful of anyone who is not "family".
To help a cat overcome its fear of strangers, it will be
necessary to employ
the time-tested principles of desensitization and counterconditioning.
Recruit cat-loving friends to come over on a regular basis. It is
important to minimize any behaviors that would frighten the cat (e.g.,
loud voices & quick movements) & at the same time encourage a
non-fearful behavior in the cat (e.g., eating or playing). Ask your
cat-friendly acquaintances to sit on the couch or even better, on the
floor after entering your home. Give them your cat's favorite food
treats which for training purposes, will only be offered by guests, not
the family. If the cat will not approach the visitor, it can be tossed
to him. A toy attached to a long fishing pole is another way to win over
a reluctant puss. When Kitty begins to connect good times and good food
with people who come through the door, the hissing will be replaced with
purring. Patience and persistence, as always, pay off.
Go on to On A Personal
Note... - [email protected]
Return to 30 June 1999 Issue
Return to Newsletters
** Fair Use Notice**
This document may contain copyrighted material, use of which has not been
specifically authorized by the copyright owners. I believe that this
not-for-profit, educational use on the Web constitutes a fair use of the
copyrighted material (as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright
Law). If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your
own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright
owner.