How to calm an aggressive kitten?

January 31, 2022 by Natasha V. Behavior

Cats are generally sociable and affectionate animals but although it is not common in some cases they tend to develop aggressive behaviors when they perceive situations or attitudes that generate fear.

Living with an aggressive kitten can be difficult if the causes of aggression are not understood.
Fortunately, there are also treatments and recommendations to prevent this type of behavior.

In this post, we will talk about how to calm an aggressive kitten and give you some recommendations so you can put them into practice.

Why is a kitten aggressive?

Feline aggression is caused by many reasons and occurs in various contexts. It is a strategy that some cats use to drive away those stimuli that are annoying or threatening to them, which can be people, animals, or objects.

In the case of kittens, there are also several reasons why they are aggressive to any approach. The main one is due to their lack of socialization.

When separated from their mother before four months of age, kittens are more prone to show hyperactivity when they do not receive adequate attention and affection. For this reason, they may develop aggressive behaviors.

Aggressiveness is the second most common behavioral problem in cats and is mainly due to their lack of socialization from a young age.

Aggressive play or aggressive behaviors are common in young, active cats under two years of age, and in cats living in homes where there are no other cats and not enough mental and physical stimulation.

Kittens learn how to inhibit their biting from their siblings and mother. A kitten that is separated from his family too early may be more snappish than one that has spent more valuable time with his family.

How to calm an aggressive kitten?

You must remain calm

Reacting upset, scolding, or hitting him will not work, it can only worsen the situation. Try to be understanding and patient and detect the reasons for his aggressive behavior.

It is possible that the cat feels fear and therefore activates its defense mechanisms.

To calm it down, you should stand close to it and talk to it with affection, but without touching it, and make it understand that there is no threat.

You must give him his space and show him the environment so that he learns that it is a calm place full of love.

Rule out an injury

Cats are experts at disguising symptoms and illnesses. However, in the face of pain, they behave defensively, are less tolerant, and will avoid being touched.
Rule out any sign of injury, as this may be a cause of defensive behavior.

Your hands are not toys

Aggressive play behaviors are common in young, active cats under two years of age, and in cats living in homes where there are no other cats and not enough mental and physical stimulation.

A common mistake is to play with our cat through our hands, that is, by moving them to get his attention.

This type of game should be eliminated because the cat interprets it as a prey to be hunted, since they incorporate several behaviors in their play, such as exploratory, investigative and predatory actions.

Locate your objects in a safe place

Felines tend to feel vulnerable when they eat, drink water, or go to the bathroom, as it is part of their self-preservation instinct.

It is best to place their water bowl, feeder, and litter box in a quiet and safe place. It is important to avoid placing them in very noisy and busy areas.

Stimulating toys and games

These toys and games will give your kitty a healthier and more positive way to expend all the energy he has stored up.

Toys such as wands, feathers, balls, etc., are perfect for keeping their distance when they tend to play aggressively. You can also sensory stimulate the feline with videos, music, sounds, and more.

Respect their space

Learn to read your cat's body language so you don't miss any of the signals that indicate he's about to show aggression.

If a cat is uncomfortable with your presence or contact, his fur will stand on end, his eyes will dilate and the tip of his tail will wag. Take a step back if you see any of these indicators.

If you notice your kitten is aggressive, it's best to close the door and leave the room for about 20 minutes to leave him alone. By the time you open the door, he will probably have calmed down and will be back to normal.

Kitten Socialization

Guided by their mother, kittens begin to develop hygienic and social habits, fundamental for their physical and mental health, such as grooming, eating, controlling their bite, or relating to living beings and the elements of their environment.

Cat socialization is the process through which we prepare them to interact with other animals and people.

For a cat, this means that it has to learn that it can trust its new human family and that strangers and animals do not pose any danger.

This stage occurs between the third and seventh week, where they begin to assimilate the patterns that will guide them in the future.

The experiences that the kitten picks up during this biological imprinting phase are stored in the brain and have a great influence on the kitten's life. When a cat is properly socialized, it becomes a lively, friendly, and confident cat, whereas a cat that has never been socialized tends to be aggressive.

Once the kitten arrives home, it is necessary to continue with the socialization task that has started with its mother.

He should be exposed to different stimuli and develop his senses by listening, sniffing, feeling new textures, as well as being taught to interact with children, different animals, etc.

Although socialization occurs at an early stage of their lives, it is still possible to socialize an adult cat, although it would require much more time and patience.

Now you know how to calm an aggressive kitten!

We hope to help calm an aggressive kitten, as owners we must understand them and determine the cause of the behavior.

Most cases of aggression in these domestic felines are caused by the irresponsibility of their guardians, either by mistreatment or lack of socialization during their upbringing.

In these cases, you can resort to a veterinarian who will evaluate their behavior, body posture, and facial expressions through clinical examinations to treat this problem from the root.