Status-related aggression in a cat

Re: Status-related aggression in a cat

Helen Wallace — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:03:56 GMT

I was never really convinced about status aggression in cats until I ended up with one. He worships the ground my husband walks on but will regularly have a go at me if he thinks he can get away with it. Spotting the signs quickly, drawing myself up and a firm 'Don't you dare' will nip most attacks in the bud.

The really odd thing is hubby has a beard which the cat loves to head rub.... when he shaved it off the status agression transferrs to him..... not quite sure where the behaviouralists stand on the use of false beards

Re: Status-related aggression in a cat

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:58:06 GMT

[quote user="Anne Seawright"] I completely agree. Cats do not suffer from status related aggression and generally medication is not appropriate in aggression as can cause disinhibition with worsening of aggression. I[/quote] I disagree, I have seen several cases of status related aggression, including in my own cats. I had one that I re-homed because it would attack the owner after lulling her into a false complacency sitting on her lap. I'd had if for few days when it tried it on me, I gave it the thump of its life and it sat looking stunned with a look that said 'what the hell happened, no-body ever did that to me before' (sorry for the anthropomorphism) and it never raised a claw or tooth in anger again. I wouldn't advocate violence to clients but pre-emption and termination of attention and owner determining sleeping areas, feeding times and going in/out goes a long way to determining rank. Cats are not pack animals like dogs but they still live in colonies and there is status within those so it is entirely logical to assume that they carry this over to their human companions. Agreed that there may be medical problems and I have experience oro-facial nueralgia in Burmese but don't dismiss status related aggression.

Re: Status-related aggression in a cat

Anne Seawright — Thu, 03 May 2012 21:27:53 GMT

[quote user="Kate Richardson"]

Quick thoughts- I'm don't think cats suffer the whole status thing like dogs do. Was it a veterinary behaviourist? The owner may agree with the 'diagnosis'- doesn't mean its right. And has the cat had a full vet assessment first? Burmese cats can get Facial Oral Pain Syndrome- can be very dramataic signs with no visible problems due to neurological pain- diagnosis by exclusion. See FAB website - owner info pages on behaviour problems- www.fabcats.org/behaviour/index.php

[/quote] I completely agree. Cats do not suffer from status related aggression and generally medication is not appropriate in aggression as can cause disinhibition with worsening of aggression. I am not sure where you are but would advise a veterinary behaviourist. I'm happy to give you more advice by phone. I won't be back in work until next Wednesday but will pm you my contact details.

Re: Status-related aggression in a cat

Kate Richardson — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:08:06 GMT