Getting Started - Cat Aggression to Humans


A common profile for an aggressive cat is one that is loved, pampered and in turn, "runs the house."

This cat's personality develops based on confusion about social status. Think of it as a cat that thinks it is his or her prerogative to "punish" other members of the house for reasons that are unclear to the humans.

A common mistake humans make is punishing the cat for aggression.  Rule of thumb: responding to aggression with aggression makes aggression worse.  Defensive aggression is now added to status aggression. 

This "leadership petting" technique is one way to reduce the status of a cat that has begun to rule the roost by attacking people.