Mary Allen
Biting and scratching is a problem for many cat owners. Outdoor cats and cats from multi-cat households are less likely to show aggressive behavior, according to a new study.
The cat has just let itself be stroked with relish and the next moment it bites: Aggressive behavior by cats is not only dangerous for people but often leads to the animals in question being neglected, handed over to animal shelters, abandoned, or even euthanized. Aggression is quite common. According to a study by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Ontario, Canada, aggression is one of the most common behavioral problems of all. For their study, the research team led by Kristina O’Hanley interviewed the owners of 262 cats between the ages of one and six who had been adopted from animal shelters. A third of those surveyed stated that their cat’s aggression in the form of biting and scratching was a major problem.
Playing and petting situations are the most dangerous. A common piece of advice for the owners of vicious cats is that they should always keep a close eye on their animals so that they can recognize early on when joy and enthusiasm turn to reluctance or even aggression.
According to the report published in the scientific journal “Applied Animal Behavior Science”, a number of factors have now been identified that can promote aggressive behavior. According to this, cats that are not allowed to go outside show significantly more behavioral problems than their colleagues, who are allowed to let off steam outside as they please. Aggression problems are also more common in single-cat households than in multi-cat households. And finally, “intact” cats are more often brought to the veterinary practice because of aggression problems than neutered ones.
A Resolute “No!” Does Not Help
On the other hand, the research team found a positive effect when the cat owners used the psychological principle of positive reinforcement when training their animals. To put it simply, the desired behavior is rewarded with a positive stimulus, such as a treat. According to the textbook, the positive consequence means that the cat shows the behavior in question more and more frequently in the future and any naughtiness disappears as best as possible.
In general, the cats examined showed more balanced behavior when they were trained and taught any tricks. It is difficult to determine whether the owners of peaceful cats feel more like playing and training with them, or whether the peaceful behavior is a result of this. According to the study, however, it is clearly counterproductive if the owners hold their cat in case of undesirable behavior, avoid it or use the command “No!” to try to correct it.
Animal protection in Zurich has also seen cats being given up because they scratch or bite their owners. According to his many years of experience, aggressive behavior is often based on pain, malaise, or illness, says Rommy Los from Zurich Animal Welfare: “That’s why medical clarification is our priority when we receive cats that show signs of this in the shelter.” If a cat feels bothered or harassed in its retreat, aggressive behavior is also understandable. In addition to the health check mentioned, the Zurich animal welfare organization relies on time and patience. “We have two combined cat offices, where we give the cats the opportunity to get used to other people without any time pressure so that they can perhaps discard the behavior they have shown,” says Los.