Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
This common type of aggression is the result of a cat becoming aroused or agitated by something he can’t get to and then lashing out at the nearest human, cat, or dog within reach. Redirected aggression is sometimes misdiagnosed as idiopathic aggression because the cat can stay aroused for quite a while, and by the time the human family member sees the aggressive display there may be no apparent trigger visible.
What Causes Redirected Aggression in Cats?
The most frequent cause of redirected aggression occurs when a cat sees an unfamiliar cat in the yard. The cat may be looking out the window when he spots a feline intruder hanging out by the bird feeder in the back yard. Unable to get to the source of the agitation, the indoor cat becomes aroused. A family member may walk by to pet the cat, or a housemate cat may walk nearby and immediately becomes the unintended target of claws and teeth.
Check with Your Veterinarian
If your cat has suddenly become aggressive it may not necessarily be redirected aggression so have your cat examined by the veterinarian to rule out any possible underlying medical cause. Don’t assume a problem is behavioral without having your cat get a clean bill of health.
Unintended Consequences for the Cats
When the unintended target of a cat’s redirected aggression is a companion cat then it can set up a cycle of ongoing aggression between the pair. The “victim” cat is taken totally by surprise and doesn’t understand why a feline buddy has suddenly become aggressive. This can cause the victim to strike back defensively which only adds fuel to the fire. Now both cats don’t really know why they’re fighting; they only know they’re both enemies at this point.
Ongoing Cycle of Aggression Between the Cats
After the initial redirected aggression episode, both cats may start posturing defensively toward each other which only continues the downward spiral. The cat parent may come home from work one day and suddenly find two cats who were always best buddies are now growling and hissing at each other. Because the initial cause of the agitation (perhaps that outdoor cat, someone working outdoors, or any number of possible triggers) has long disappeared, the cat parent is at a loss as to why the relationship deterioration occurred.
Dealing with Redirected Aggression
First, make sure everyone stays safe. If you’re dealing with two companion cats, separate them so each one has time to settle down. Next, do what you can to address the source of the redirected aggression if the cause is known. If you have a doorbell camera or other outdoor security camera, check it to see if you can identify what may have caused your cat to become upset.
Time for the Cats to Chill
In my years of doing cat behavior consultations I’ve found the sooner the cats are separated, the easier it’ll be to get them back together. If they’re allowed to just keep agitating each other you’ll end up with escalating hostility that can become serious and long-term. Just gently (and safely) separate the cats. When everyone seems back to normal (not hiding or hissing and back to performing normal daily functions such as eating, playing and using the litter box) you can reintroduce them.
Reintroduction of Your Cats
If the incident just occurred and you’re able to separate the cats immediately then the reintroduction shouldn’t take long. If, however, the incident happened days ago and the cats are still fighting with each other then the reintroduction process will have to be more gradual. The key is to give the cats a reason to like each other again and that’s done through offering meals and treats in the presence of each other. Exposure to each other should be done in short, positive sessions.
Redirected Aggression Toward a Human Family Member
Don’t try to cuddle or comfort an agitated cat. Leave kitty alone to calm down. Turn the lights down, close the curtains ,and allow time for the cat to hide and de-stress. If you try to comfort your cat you risk more aggression. In addition to the risk of you getting injured, it’ll just keep the cat’s arousal level too high.
When your cat has calmed down you can offer food or begin a gentle, low-intensity play session with an interactive toy to change his mind-set from negative to positive.
Ongoing Redirected Aggression
If you know your cat has a pattern of becoming reactive to certain things and as a result, frequently displays redirected aggression, set up a long-term behavior plan. If there’s a cat outdoors you may have to block viewing access for your indoor cat. For example, it may be necessary to cover specific windows with opaque window paper. This way the light can come through but the cat won’t be able to clearly see what’s outside. You may have to relocate cat trees so they sit at windows that don’t have a view that triggers your cat. Gradually help your cat become more comfortable with noises or other triggers that cause stress. Begin at a very low level where your cat is still comfortable and offer a treat or playtime. Very slowly, you can begin to increase exposure to the trigger. Offer a treat or feed the cat to help him learn to associate something positive with the experience.
Set up the environment to inspire positive experiences for your cat. There is cat-specific music available online that is designed to help keep cats calm. You can also leave soft or classical music playing when you aren’t home to act as a bit of buffer in case your cat gets reactive to sudden noises outdoors. The music won’t block out any other sounds totally, but it could buffer them just enough so it doesn’t trigger your cat.
Use plug-in pheromone diffusers (such as Feliway) to help your cat feel more relaxed and at ease in the environment. Set up several options for hiding places, as well as areas for elevated territory. You can create more vertical territory through cat trees, shelves, perches, and cat walkways.
In a multicat environment, make sure there is adequate territory for each cat. You should have multiple options for perching, climbing, hiding, and napping. If the cats don’t have to be in such close quarters, it may help avoid redirected direction if one kitty gets triggered. Adequate availability of resources will be important as well. Have more litter boxes available and scatter them throughout the house so one cat doesn’t have to pass another cat’s area.
It also helps to provide your cat with things to do during the day. Incorporate puzzle feeders for added activity. The more positive, fun activities you provide, the more you can distract your cats.
Getting Professional Help
If your cats are still not getting along or if the aggression is too serious and you don’t feel comfortable doing behavior work on your own, talk to your veterinarian about a referral to a certified behavior expert such as a veterinary behaviorist or a certified cat behavior consultant.
Need More Information?
For more information on cat behavior and training, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
If you have a question regarding your cat’s health, please contact your veterinarian. This article is not intended as a replacement for your cat’s veterinary care.
