Redirected Aggression in Cats

A cat becomes highly aroused by a trigger it cannot reach or confront directly — commonly an outdoor cat seen through a window, a loud noise, or an unfamiliar smell — and that arousal is discharged onto whoever or whatever is nearby instead, sometimes minutes later and with no obvious connection to an observer.

Dilated pupils, a lashing tail, flattened ears and a rigid body posture all indicate high arousal. A cat in this state should be left alone entirely — approaching or picking it up at this point is the most common way people are bitten or scratched.

Do not touch, shout at or attempt to comfort a cat in this state. Turn away, leave the room if possible, and let the cat's arousal come down on its own, which can take anywhere from minutes to hours. Block visual access to the outdoor trigger if that is the cause — frosted film or closed blinds on ground-floor windows often reduces episodes considerably.

Frequent episodes are worth discussing with a vet or veterinary behaviourist, both to rule out pain or medical contributors and to build an environmental plan that reduces the triggers a cat cannot otherwise avoid.