Is there such thing as redirected aggression in cats?
Redirected aggression is not unique to cats. The human equivalent is the man who gets so angry he wants to punch someone, and ends up punching a wall instead. What causes redirected aggression? Most commonly, redirected aggression is triggered when indoor cats see a strange cat outside the window.
What does it mean when a cat is redirected?
Redirected aggression occurs when a cat is aroused by another animal, person or event, but is unable to direct aggression toward the stimulus.
What does it mean when a cat attacks another cat?
This form of aggression is called redirected aggression, and it happens when a cat is agitated by an animal, event, or person it can’t get at. Unable to lash out at the perceived threat, the cat turns to the nearest victim. This may be another cat or pet in the household, or it may be the cat’s humans.
Why does my cat have a lot of aggression?
This is most likely if the redirected aggression was met with retaliation, punishment or another fearful event (perhaps in an effort to separate the cat from the victim). In addition, if the attack leads to a change in relationship between the cat and the victim (fear, defensiveness) then the aggression may persist.
What causes redirected aggression in cats and why?
What Causes Redirected Aggression in Cats? The most frequent cause of redirected aggression occurs when a cat sees an unfamiliar cat in her yard. She may be looking out the window when she spots a feline intruder hanging out by the bird feeder in the back yard.
Redirected aggression occurs when a cat is aroused by another animal, person or event, but is unable to direct aggression toward the stimulus.
When does redirected aggression occur in a home?
Redirected aggression is most common in households with five or fewer cats. It rarely occurs in homes that are very saturated in cats. A common scenario would be an indoor cat looking out a window and seeing a neighbor’s cat in the yard, they want to get that cat, but they can’t so they’re frustrated, heightened and aroused.
When does a cat become aggressive with another cat?
This type of aggression may be seen when a cat encounters unfamiliar stimuli, such as a new person, animal, or noise, or when a cat is exposed to an experience that he associates with unpleasant events, such as a trip to the veterinarian.
