Increasing the volume of feline veterinary care is an important opportunity for companion animal practices. Multiple client experiences, as well as their feline frustrations will accompany this growth. Petey, a much-loved, six-month-old kitten, is the main character for this story. It is a great guide for handling aggression. Veterinary hospital teams will appreciate this article. Consider it as a handout or as content for a website or mailing.
Source: Tufts Catnip, January 2016.
There are various forms of aggression with different forces behind them. Here is help in understanding a cat’s behavior – and how to redirect it.
Nipping playful aggression in the bud is simple: 1) At the first sign of aggressive play, stop the interaction. 2) Never, ever, allow a kitten or cat to use human body parts as toys. 3) Recognize signs of impending aggression. 4) While refusing to acknowledge or participate in inappropriate play, reward appropriate play with praise, encouragement — and extra playtime. 5) One thing you should never do when your cat attacks, is to physically punish him.
Also in this issue, Irreconcilable Differences in a multi-cat home? (direct link unavailable)
A certain amount of conflict and discord is natural in any group living situation. Owners of even the most mellow and congenial cat families know just how quickly conflict can erupt as group members experience the normal ups and downs of life. Wise owners understand how powerfully even seemingly insignificant changes can affect their cats and disrupt the harmony of the entire group. They also know how important it is to address the effects of changes positively and immediately, before the situation spins out of control.