Feline Aggression Disorder
Feline aggression may be directed towards people, cats, or other animals. Because cat social behavior is less structured than dog social behavior, categories of aggression are not as distinct.
Aggression Towards People can be divided into two categories:
Play-related aggression is seen primarily in kittens and young cats. Play behavior can be vigorous and cause injuries. Such cats may stalk and pounce on the owner's legs and arms, biting or clawing uninhibitedly. Most cats will grow out of this behavior, although in some instances, treatment may be necessary.
Therapy-
Treatment involves two main principles, redirecting the aggression towards a toy and/or remote punishment techniques. Cats respond best to toys that are not continuously available. Therefore, it is best to find a toy that your cat likes and then after playing with it, remove it from his\her environment until it is needed to redirect his\her attention.
Remote punishment is a means of deterring the unwanted behavior by using a water gun, spray bottle or a can full of pennies rolled at the individual when the undesired act is displayed.
This refers to severe, recurrent aggression for which there is no identifiable stimulus. Such behavior may be associated with disorders like hypothyroidism, renal failure, seizures, or feline ischemic encephalopathy. Euthanasia may be the only safe option for severe, refractory cases.
Aggression toward other household cats is characterized by ongoing unilateral aggression, often accompanied by vocalizing and chasing. This aggression may be directed specifically to only one particular individual cat.
Therapy-
Treatment of territorial aggression is difficult; for severe problems the best solution may be to find one of the cats a new home. Long-term separation and drug therapy with progestins may be beneficial.
Fear-related aggression is exhibited by fearful postures and actions. These are hissing, crouching, switching of the tail, ears flat, pupils dilated and running away.
Therapy-
These individuals may respond to antianxiety drug therapy. Also, separation and gradual reintroduction of the cats may be helpful. During the reintroduction phase, the fearful cat should have greater access to the home so that self-confidence is regained.
Cats may injure or kill other household animals, such as rodents, birds, or fish, or they may attack small animals outdoors. Remains are often brought inside the home and presented to the owner.
Therapy-
Preventing the occurrences is best done by keeping your cat indoors at all times. If you must let your cat go outside periodically or live outside then you can place a bell collar on him\her. This will reduce the success of the hunting episodes by warning potential prey animals.