Nothing spoils your expectations of a happy relationship with a cuddly kitty than the problem of aggressive cat behavior. A cat scratch or bite can be more than just painful at the time. Cats have a considerable amount of bacteria on their claws and especially in their mouths and these injuries can easily become infected.

The key to controlling aggressive cat behavior is in understanding the causes and eliminating them whenever possible. Even tiny kittens exhibit aggressive behaviors during play. A savvy pet owner will learn to understand his cat's psychological make-up as well as his instincts that are nothing more than normal cat behavior.

Cats are predators naturally, and kitten play comes from their instincts to capture prey. Some aggression is natural, but it is important when socializing kittens to set limits for the behavior and provide appropriate substitutes to absorb it. When a kitten bites or claws you, no matter how "cute" it seems, it must be rebuffed with a "No!" you must stop petting or other wise reinforcing the conduct. It won't be so cute in a 15 pound adult.

Provide kittens and all cats with toys and furniture like scratching posts that are fine for aggressive play and claw scratching. Always be clear that biting or clawing you is not permitted. Reinforce good behaviors with words and with some treats, but never punish a cat by hitting them. This destroys your relationship and will usually increase aggression.

Unusual feline aggression may often be contributed to the cats health. Without the ability to communicate many cats will use aggression as a signal that they are ill or have been injured. Stress can be caused by changes in the cats diet, outside noise or new pets or children in the home. To minimize this stress, it is important to introduce any changes in the cats environment slowly, and be sure to take a newly aggressive cat to a vet as soon as possible for an examination.

There are theories that aggressive cat behavior can be partially blamed on diet. You might want to discuss this possibility with your veterinarian. Excessive weight can lead to joint pain for older cats, so helping your pet lose weight can help him feel a lot better. However, if you find your cat is losing weight too rapidly, a condition which can be dangerous to the point of being fatal to your cat, talk to your vet.

Finally, pay attention to a cat's body language. When they are over stimulated, they can suddenly show aggressive behavior, as when a cat is petted and purrs, then turns to bite the person stroking them. A swishing tail, arched or stiff back and flattening ears signal irritation and are your warning to back off. If you begin behavior training early and are consistent with reinforcing good behavior while paying attention to your cat's cues, you can have a calm and delightful cat in your home.