While many of us know cats to be gentle and loving creatures, they can display an aggressive side when they are experiencing feelings of distress. A cat that has turned into an angry one can be rather menacing as its sharp claws and teeth can turn into weapons that can harm people and other pets alike. You might feel helpless when you see your cat becoming angry, but luckily there are some ways you can help remedy the situation.
Signs of an Angry Cat
Step one is to pay attention to your cat and recognize when they are going into angry mode. If your cat begins to vocalize, such as growling, or even purring loudly, this can be a sign. They might be angry if they are hiding from you and they will not come out of their hiding place. When you try and pet them, if they bite you or their ears are flattened back and sticking out, this is also a red flag. Their tail may be twitching, they may claw at your furniture, or even refuse to eat their favorite meal.
It is important that before you try and calm down your angry cat, you have to find out what is making it so angry. It might be afraid, it could be in pain, it could be fighting with another cat, or it could be experiencing territorial aggression. After you figure out the source, you can try one or more of the following ways to calm them down.
Stay Low and Advance Gradually
If your cat is angry because it is feeling afraid, it will lash out when it feels threatened. The idea is that your presence should never add to this feeling. To make certain of this, you should never corner a cat. If you back a cat into a corner, it is sure to lash out at you.
To make sure your cat feels safe around you, begin by lying or sitting on the floor, a distance away from your cat. After it seems that the cat has calmed down a bit, you can try to advance gradually toward them. Holding a treat in your hand and letting them come to you may be helpful. Avoid chasing your cat if it runs from you.
Ignore Your Cat’s Behavior
Simply backing off and ignoring your cat’s angry behavior at times can be the right decision. This may help to calm the stress that they are feeling.
You can also try distracting them. Try throwing a toy around them, shake some coins near them, or spray them with a small amount of water.
Do not try to hold your angry cat, touch them, or punish them, as you might get attacked in the process.
Give Them an Outlet for Their Feelings
Another option is to provide your angry cat a safe place to release some of their aggression. For example, a scratching post is a great alternative to your cat destroying your furniture. If you have a cat tower, it can be the perfect place for your cat to hide out until they have calmed down.
Final Thought
If you have tried all of these things and you are still having issues with an angry cat, it might be best to contact your veterinarian. It is best to be sure that your cat doesn’t have any underlying health conditions that could be causing the aggression.