Aggressive Cat Breeds: 9 Breeds That Can Be Grumpy

What Causes Aggressive Behavior in Cats?

By nature, cats are not aggressive. Most cats are friendly with their immediate family and shy around strangers (at least at first). When a cat acts aggressively, it's not out of nowhere. It's usually a reaction to something that happened. It's important to understand your cat's behavior to figure out what caused the aggression.

Why Is My Cat So Defensive?

The most common reason that a cat becomes aggressive is due to fear. Most aggression is defensive instead of offensive. Here are some things that cause cats to become defensive:

• Loud noises: Many cats, especially some breeds, are sensitive to sudden, loud noises. If you're near a cat when they hear a loud noise, they may scratch you in an attempt to get away and then run to a hiding spot.
• Strangers in the house: Cats are often wary of new people and may become defensive. If approached by a random person, your cat may lash out in an attempt to get them to back off.
• Feeling cornered: If a cat feels cornered in general during a time when it wants to be left alone, you should look at their body language. Before scratching, cats usually warn you to back off by flicking their tail, widening their eyes, arching their back, and putting their ears back.
• New pets: A lot of cats heavily dislike change. This includes bringing a new pet into their territory. Your cat may try to assert dominance or protect their space by lashing out at the newcomer.
• Discomfort: Cats are experts at hiding their discomfort, even if it's a serious illness. But sometimes, if you touch a certain spot on your cat's body, it may trigger them to automatically bite or scratch you.
• Boredom: If your cat isn't stimulated enough, they may become destructive to entertain themselves or get your attention. This could include ripping at furniture or attacking at feet as you walk by.

Why Are Some Cat Breeds More Prone to Aggressiveness Than Others?

Cat behavior hasn't been as extensively studied as dog behavior, so many things cats do are seen as a mystery. From their nightly peruse around the house each night to their constant scratching and fondling of cardboard — cat's are interesting to say the least. Cats were domesticated about 10,000 years ago. In more recent years, humans started selectively breeding cats to intentionally create various cat breeds with distinctive appearances and personalities.

The International Cat Association recognizes 71 breeds, all bred to behave and appear a certain way. While not much research has gone into cat behavior, breeders, owners, and vets have all reported distinctive behaviors for each cat breed over the years. While more studies are needed to truly understand cat genetics and each breed's personality, it's quite clear that each cat breed has pretty specific behavior based on genetics.

Types of Aggression in Cats

Cats typically display aggression as a defense mechanism rather than an offensive one. It's uncommon for a cat to attack someone without provocation. Even wild cats tend to hide when they sense danger rather than engage in a fight. Here are some common types of aggression observed in cats:

• Fear-Induced Aggression: Cats may lash out when they feel threatened or cornered. This type of aggression is driven by fear, and you might notice the cat's body language, such as a puffed-up tail or flattened ears, signaling distress.
• Territorial Aggression: Cats are territorial animals and may become aggressive when they feel their space is being invaded. This can occur when a new pet is introduced into the home or when a cat encounters another animal outside.
• Redirected Aggression: Sometimes, a cat may be agitated by something it cannot reach, such as a bird outside a window. In these cases, the cat might redirect its aggression toward a nearby person or pet.
• Play-Induced Aggression: Young cats and kittens often exhibit aggressive behavior during play, which can involve biting and scratching. This behavior is usually a part of their natural hunting instinct and energy, though it should be managed to avoid injury.
• Pain-Induced Aggression: Cats in pain may react aggressively when touched or handled, as they associate the interaction with discomfort. This type of aggression can be seen in cats suffering from health issues or injuries.
• Maternal Aggression: A mother cat may become highly protective and aggressive when she feels her kittens are threatened. This behavior is instinctual and typically subsides as the kittens grow.

Why Is My Cat Breed So Aggressive?

There are some common reasons that cats become aggressive, each one pretty defensive in nature. It's important to understand cat behavior and read your cat's body language so you can quickly spot your cat being defensive before they lash out. This will stop a lot of aggression from ever happening.

• Stress: A cat feeling overwhelmed will often try to hide or want to be left alone. If approached, a stressed cat will flick its tail and make itself look smaller by curling into a ball. The stress may be from a new pet in the home or a child playing too rough.
• Fear: Cats that have just heard a loud noise, had an encounter with the vacuum, or were just barked at by a visiting dog will often react by hiding. They will warn you to back off by flattening their ears, arching their back, and fluffing up their tail. You can provide your cat CBD calming treats.
• Territorial: Cats become attached to places. They consider your home to be their territory. If a new pet comes into the home or even a new human, your cat may become territorial. They'll hiss, growl, and bristle up, warning the newcomer to back off.
• Anger: When a cat becomes angry, they will warn you to leave them alone before attacking. But sometimes, we don't read their body language quickly enough. Look for dilated pupils, flattened ears, licking of the lips, and spiky fur along their spine. If you hear a low grumble, back away immediately.

How Do You Calm Down Aggression in Cats?

Getting scratched by a cat hurts! So, how can you avoid further damage and destruction from your aggressive kitty? There are luckily a lot of ways to calm down a cat that seems on edge. Here are some things you can do immediately.

Read Your Cat's Body Language

The most important thing you can do is pay close attention to your cat's body language. If you notice your cat looking stressed or angry, you should just back away. This will reduce the tension and stop your cat from lashing out. Back away from your cat and give it space if you notice:

• Flicking tail
• Flattened ears
• Dilated eyes
• Licking lips
• Baring teeth
• Hissing
• Growling
• Heavy breathing
• Arched back
• Raised fur along the spine
• Fluffed up tail
• Swatting

Give Your Cat Space

If your cat was just frightened by fireworks or getting its tail pulled by a toddler, it's best to give your cat time to come out of hiding on their own. If your cat goes to hide, trying to pull them out and cuddle them will only overwhelm them. Their instinct is to hide, so let them do what allows them to feel safe and comforted.