Feline Redirected Aggression

Redirected aggression occurs when the focus of the animal’s aggression is not the original stimulus of the aggressive arousal. It is most common in adult male cats. The aggressive attack usually occurs when a person or other animal attempts to approach the aroused cat. However, in some cases, the aroused cat will attack a person or another pet that is paying no attention to it or not even close by. Unfortunately, these attacks are often acute, vicious, uninhibited and unprovoked. Multiple injuries are common.  The human family is often very unsettled by this, even thinking that their cat has “gone mad.”

Stimuli that can cause this aggression include the sight or sound of another cat, unusual noises, odors of other animals, unfamiliar people and unfamiliar environments (including the vet clinic, sadly). The stimulated cat may show varying degrees of hypervigilance, agitation, nervous pacing, fluffy haircoat, fixed gaze, tail flipping, dilated pupils and/or low vocalizations.  The behavior may progress to loud growling and yowling, lunging and attacking and unprovoked biting.  A common scenario is one in which the cat becomes aroused upon seeing or hearing another cat while sitting in a window. When the owner attempts to pick it up or touch it at all, it attacks. It may also attack other animals in the home.  Redirected aggression is a common cause of sudden appearance of aggression between cats in the same household that have been living together happily for years.

Management and correction of redirected aggression is complex. Identification of the stimulus, and subsequent avoidance is ideal. For example, if the cat becomes highly aroused when it goes outside, it needs to be confined inside. If it becomes aroused watching outdoor cats through the windows, that opportunity should be removed by closing the drapes, blocking the window or room and keeping the pet off of patios or porches. Castration may be helpful for most cases.  If the pet  becomes aroused when new people enter the home, it should be confined when visitors come by.

It is very important to distract or interrupt the behavior, especially at the early stages mentioned above. When you notice the cat becoming aroused use a device such as an air horn, water gun or whistle to distract it. Some owners respond to the aggression with behaviors that make the situation worse, such as yelling, screaming or hitting the cat. Cats that are treated this way may begin exhibiting avoidance or fear-related aggression. To avoid creating more behavioral problems, owners should avoid eye contact or saying anything during corrections and distractions.

If the cat needs to be removed from the aggressive situation, do so with much caution. Some cats may not be safely handled during the height of the aggressive episode. You may try with a blanket, towel or leather gloves. If possible, you may want to use a leash and body halter until the behavior is corrected. Food lures may work in some animals that are not exceptionally aroused. Once removed or distracted from the stimulus, the animal  should be confined in a dark, quiet room until calm.

When the aggression is directed toward another pet in the home, the pets should be separated until the arousal has entirely diminished, and until the aggressor is entirely calm and will take food. Reintroduction should be gradual, closely supervised and associated with positive interaction such as feeding. This reintroduction may take any where from a few days to a few weeks.

Use of a synthetic pheromone product, such as Feliway™, has proven to be very helpful. This should be sprayed or dispense where the pets spend a majority of their time. Sometimes, medication is needed for a time to reduce overall arousal and reduce the possibility of future events. These can be prescribed by your veterinarians here at Swift Creek Animal Hospital.