There are several other forms of aggression other than play aggression. Play aggression is usually a behavior learned from a cat’s owner. This form of aggression is fairly easy to correct.
Re-directed aggression sometimes occurs in cats. This happens when your Ragdoll cat reacts to an object or an event by attacking something else. For example, your Ragdoll could see a dog outside through a window and bite or scratch you. The easiest way to correct this problem is to remove whatever is triggering the aggression. In the example given you could draw the curtains so your cat cannot see the dog.
Another form of aggression in cats occurs over territory or status. This is rare as cats usually only fight over territory or status with other cats; there is an unwritten rule that you do not mess with the human that feeds you. Sometimes kittens will pounce on you if you try and stare them down. They haven’t gotten the rule yet, but this problem usually goes away with age.
If your Ragdoll cat is being aggressive towards you but is not making sounds it is simply playing. Hostile cats hiss and growl while they bite and scratch you. Cats will sometimes exhibit this behavior when guarding territory such as litter box, sleeping quarters, or food bowls.
Real aggression comes in the form of hissing and growling.
Aggression over territory or status typically needs to be corrected by your veterinarian. You should never hit your cat when it is being aggressive. Cats do not understand violence; physically punishing your Ragdoll cat will only make it fear you and could make your aggression problem worse.
Related Articles Other People Have Read:
- Aggression and Your Ragdoll Cat
- Ragdoll Cats and the Scratching Post
- Aggressive Behaviors and Your Ragdoll Cat
- Is Your Ragdoll Cat Aggressive?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I wanted to get some tips on introducing a new ragdoll kitten to a 3 yr. old ragdoll. Kitten is male and very laid back. We have only had female for about 4-5 weeks. She can from a breeder with a lot of cats. We just got the male. we separated them and keep them apart during the day but she is aggressive (hissin/growling when ever he comes around in the evening with supervision. It has been 4 days now and not getting better. She even hisses and growls at me. He pretty much stays clear and ignores her but I can tell he would love to play with her but he know she is not interested. Any suggestions?
Joan,
I have 3 older cats 1 female tabby 2 years old. A orange tabby 5 yaers old and a balck cat hes 9 years old.We just brought home a ragdoll its going well.We found it works best to use a meduim dog create.We can put a litter box and a blanket with water and food and toys.It allows the other cats to observe him smell each other in a safe distance.We use that at night and when we are gone.During the day we allow him to roam with the other cats as we play with all 4 together.They get some seperation and releif of the stress of the new bundle of joy. We brought him home yesterday afternoon and there is very minor hissing from only the 2 year old.
sandy