That cat you took in off the street used to be the very image of sweetness. He seemed so genuinely grateful to be in a safe, warm home, but recently he has become aggressive. Perhaps he swipes at you with his claws or bites, or perhaps he has begun fighting with other pets. Maybe he has begun attacking you in bed. What could be the cause of the sudden reversal?

Cats can exhibit aggressive behavior for a number of reasons. Some behaviors that you consider to be aggressive might be consider as play in your cat's perspective. Cats rarely have a different way of playing with humans than they do for other cats.

Too Much Petting

Most cats love to be petted when you spend time with them, but they also have limits. If you happen to touch your cat on places that he does not like, he will decide that it's time for you to stop touching her. Sometimes when the cat's mood swing and does not want to be pet anymore, his purring will stop and out comes the little claws and teeth. This is normal behavior in most cats and the only way to get around this is to understand and read your cat's body language better.

Play Aggression

The predator lurking within your cat occasionally comes out, and often when you are not expecting it. A cat in the wild stalks and pounces on its prey, and you may find that that arm that's dangling off of the couch or that foot that has sneaked out from under the blanket suddenly becomes the new target of your cat's favorite play hunt. Your cat might also like to hide in certain corners of your house and pounce on you when you walk past. This is all in play, and your cat certainly doesn't intend to do you harm.

Fear and Defense

It's very important for a new cat owner to properly socialize their animal. A cat needs to feel comfortable and safe around people. Cats, unlike many canines, will often fight instead of running away from a perceived danger. Your cat may show his aggression if he is fearful. The best way to get around this is simply to remove the thing your cat fears. Otherwise, enticing your cat with a wonderful treat like tuna might get him to slowly conquer his fear.

The Wrong Target

Cats can be very moody, and if something irritates or agitates them, they can stay in that state for hours, even as long as a day. If your cat is frustrated by a cat or a bird outside the window, he might show his frustration at you or anyone who happens to be near him. If you can sense that your cat is agitated, leave her alone first and remove the source of agitation. For example, you can move the cat away to another room or simply pull the curtains.

Cat Fights

Cats will sometimes fight with other cats. Being territorial animals by nature, and generally solitary, a cat might see another cat in the yard as an act of war. It is very difficult to teach your cat not to do this; the only solution is to either keep the other cat away from yours or vice versa.

At times, two cats who have been getting along well will also get into a fight. These signs of aggression could be the result of anything that you can't foresee. Treats and love are the best bet to bring two cats together. However, sometimes it might just be best to keep them apart for some time.