Making progress with aggression

Cat owners tend to treat many forms of aggression as normal behaviour. So, if we see our kitten chasing other cats out of the garden and occasionally hissing, biting or even scratching, we may simply accept it. What we should really be doing, however, is trying to understand just why kittens become aggressive and how best to deal with it.

What’s it all about?

One of the most common problems with and aggressive kitten is the 'petting and biting syndrome'. When you stroke him, he turns around, then bites and scratches you. Why does this happen?

A kitten has to be very relaxed and trusting to sit on your lap and allow himself to be stroked. Stroking is a learned response which doesn't come easily to all kittens. You need to get him used to physical contact. To make him feel secure, sit quietly with him on the floor and stroke him until he feels calm but stop immediately if he reacts. Repeat the exercise until he learns to trust you.

Most cats will teach their kittens how to behave by example. If your kitten is aggressive, he may well have had an unhappy past or been treated cruelly. The best way to deal with this is to reward him for good behaviour with attention and food. Avoid situations where he is likely to become aggressive or, if it happens, simply ignore it.

Being introduced to a new home is a common cause of aggressive behaviour and preventing any problems takes time, patience and care. A new arrival can upset the balance in a house and even cats that have lived happily together for years may suddenly fall out and begin to fight. Such situations need to be resolved immediately.

Reading the signs

Whatever your kitten's background or breeding, you can tell a lot about his mental and physical state from vocal and visual signs. Facial expressions and body posture can tell you a lot about his mood. If he becomes aggressive, he will usually arch his back and draw himself up to his full height, with his hair standing on end. His eyes will be wide open, with ears flat against the head for protection, expecting attack. He may also open his mouth wide to show his teeth. If, on the other hand, he is lying crouched on the ground, he may be trying to avoid a fight.

Your kitten’s tail is also a good mood indicator. If he runs towards you with his tail held upright, he’s 'happy to see you'. But beware of a tail with a twitchy tip. It means that he is feeling threatened or in a predatory mood.

Finally, if you do have problems controlling your kitten’s aggression, especially towards children, have a word with your vet or animal behaviourist.