Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Cats can exhibit aggression because they are fearful. I personally am
very familiar with this situation because it happens daily in my veteri-
nary clinic. Owners are shocked when their little sweetheart turns into
a woman-eating lion during her examination. Speaking in a quiet voice
and moving slowly will calm some cats, but others already have their
minds made up and are not going to submit to examination quietly.
Using protective clothing and gloves helps my staff to protect them-
selves in these situations. We hate to see our patients get so upset. It's
hard on the animal and makes it hard for us to do a thorough job. We
prescribe a mild tranquilizer to be administered before the next visit, if
possible.
Just like people, some cats will redirect their aggression. Your cat
may be stressed or upset by something else, but she takes it out on you
or on another cat in the household. For example, your cat might hear
or smell another cat outside, feel threatened and respond by biting or
hissing at you. Trying to eliminate the source of stress and squirting a
cat with water if she attacks are ways to manage the problem.
Aggression may also be caused by illness or neurological disease. If
your cat has a sudden behavior change and becomes aggressive, you
should have her examined for medical problems.
HOUSESOILING
Housesoiling and inappropriate elimination are two terms used inter-
changeably to describe urination and/or defecation outside of the lit-
ter box on a horizontal surface. They are not the same as spraying,
which is directed onto a vertical surface.
Housesoiling is a very frustrating problem for cat owners, because
the cat they know and love is ruining their house.An entire topic could
be written about all the options and treatments for this problem, but the
bottom line is that no one can promise a cure. In almost every case the
problem can be solved, but it takes a committed owner and early inter-
vention. The longer the behavior has existed, the longer it will take to
change. I get frustrated myself when owners bring in a cat they have
allowed to eliminate outside of her litter box for years, and then want
the problem quickly fixed because they are getting new carpet. I wish
it could be that simple!
