Mary Allen
An aggressive cat needs a lot of patience and caution in daily dealings. Catching can be difficult. In some situations, however, this cannot be avoided – for example when it comes to transporting the cat to the vet.
An aggressive cat doesn’t react this way without a reason. Scratching and biting are often symptoms of deeper problems. Pain can be just as much behind it as fear, stress, or simply boredom.
If your house tiger reacts aggressively overnight, you should therefore consult a veterinarian. For whatever reason a cat tends towards aggression – at some point, there will probably be situations in which you have to catch your four-legged friend against his will – for example for a visit to the vet.
Careful Handling is Important
It is important that you approach the aggressive animal cautiously. Give the cat plenty of time. If she runs away, don’t run after it frantically, if she grabs her, don’t try to punish the cat – this will frighten her, which makes many cats even more aggressive.
As soon as the cat is no longer in acute attack mode, you can reach out and be gently sniffed. Make sure your velvet paw is no longer showing any signs of aggression – a beating tail, flattened ears, and dilated pupils can indicate that the cat is ready to strike at any time.
Catching an Aggressive Cat: How To Do It
When the cat has visibly calmed down and sniffed your fingers, you can move on to gently stroke it. If the house tiger lets itself be touched, give it a treat as a reward. Only when the cat is completely peaceful can you carefully hold it in your arms – it is important that you always remain calm and do not make any hectic movements.
If the cat doesn’t want to calm down at all, it can work to lure it into a room with a few hiding places as possible – the bathroom, for example, is a good choice. Here you then try to lure the cat into its transport box with treats. If it has to be done quickly – for example in an emergency situation at the vet – you may have no choice but to pack the aggressive cat with gloves or a blanket and put it in the transport box. However, this should remain an exceptional case.
Can You Catch Aggressive Stray Cats?
If you see a lot of stray cats living in your garden, you might want to capture the cats one day. For example, if one of the feral cats looks emaciated or sick and you want to help her. In this case, you can ask animal welfare or the veterinarian whether you can borrow a live trap. It is a kind of cage with two openings.
One opening remains closed, the other opening is left open. Put bait in the live trap, which is connected to a trigger mechanism. As soon as the cat eats the bait, the flap closes and you can transport the animal. Wear gloves to be safe. The trapped stray cat will be unsettled and aggressive, otherwise, it could seriously injure you.