Aggressive Behaviors and Your Ragdoll Cat
Nov 3rd, 2006 by Rob
Aggressive behavior is a problem for many cat owners. There are different types of aggressive behaviors your Ragdoll cat can exhibit; getting to the bottom of this behavior means determining which type of aggression you are dealing with. You want to determine what triggers the aggression and who it is directed to. Is your Ragdoll aggressive to family members or strangers that visit your home?
If you observe unusual behavior from your Ragdoll cat the first thing you should do is schedule an exam with your veterinarian. Once your vet has ruled out a medical reason for the aggression you can work on identify the actual cause of the aggression. When you have identified the cause of your cat’s aggressive behavior you can adjust the environment or remove whatever triggers the behavior. Here is a list of the basic types of aggressive behavior in cats.
I. Fear Related Aggressive Behavior
II. Territorial Related Aggressive Behavior
This is aggressive behavior related to fear aggression your cat exhibits towards other animals or strangers that enter your Ragdoll’s territory.
III. Predatory Related Aggressive Behavior
Predatory behaviors are often related to play aggression. Cats love to chase things and hunt. Kittens demonstrate play aggression more than adult cats and the behavior is often learned from the cat’s owner. It is very tempting to roughhouse with a new kitten; however, this play teaches your cat aggressive behavior that could be come a problem as your cat matures.
IV. Social Related Aggressive Behaviors
Cats are social animals; you may find aggressive behaviors directed to your other pets. While this is commonly play aggression other forms of social aggressive behavior include denying other pets use of the litter box, food, or water. If you recognize this behavior in your pets it is best to isolate the bully immediately when you observe the behavior. Consisitent reinforcement that this behavior is unacceptable in the form of isolation and a stern “No!” should be enough to get your point across.
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My ragdoll, Chanel, had a reaction to her shampoo when groomed two weeks ago and she has pulled the fur off of her neck exposing the skin which is below the surface and raw now…I bought colloidal silver and colostrum, but wonder should I be giving her medication? Internally? Externally? I was trying to avoid the vet as it stresses her so and she is nearing 12 years old. However, I don’t want her sick or suffering. Thank you.
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think that is the correct name.
If you could help me out i would be much obliged.
thanks, Sue Rattray.
How do you stop a ragdoll from scratching the furniture. He is 11 months old and still scratches everything in site even though he has 3 scratching posts of his own. He is very aggressive and will lunge at my hands and legs and bite me for no reason. He gets this awful look in his eyes and nothing will stop him from biting me. Water gun or blowing in his face or pushing him away. He is evil sometimes. Please help.
We have had some signs of aggression from the Ragdoll we inheirited. She is 4 years old and was allowed to pretty much do what she wanted to do (a tad spoiled). She responds differently to both of us in her displays of aggression. For example, when she starts with the scratching the furniture (and she has a cat scratch post in every room except the kitchen and the bathrooms), I have a loud stern “No” and clap my hands loudly or a loud “Aaa aaa aaa.” She may hiss or growl at me while displaying her claws in my direction, but she has not actually scratched me. As soon as she calms down or I can redirect her to the cat scratch pole, I lavish the praise on her for using her pole and give her many pets. Hoping that she makes the connection, this is the thing I can scratch and those are the things I can’t scratch. However my mother in a soft voice, says “No” and swats a newspaper on her own leg (not the cat’s). Although, it startles her, she will go after my mother. She has not bitten her yet or scratched her, but she makes the overtures. I belive she is establishing dominance (like the Alpha thing). She also likes to jump on the furniture which is not allowed in our house. She has several window seats that are available to her when she feels the need to be “up.” We have started to do the squirt with water only when she starts on the furniture (scratching and jumping). She doesn’t do it that often so it is hard to correct her to let her make the connection that this is not tolerated behavior versus this is a tolerated behavior. Without having many opportunities to correct herduring the day, it makes it a little difficult surprisingly enough.