Why Stray Cats Display More Aggression Than Domestic Cats

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Hena Osman

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Stray cats are often more aggressive than domestic cats due to their environment, lifestyle, and experiences. This is the same behavior displayed by my Ms. Walkie Talkie (stray cat), as he is always being aggressive towards my domestic cat Mr. Pomie and I always have to hush her away so that the aggression doesn’t increases. Here are some reasons why it happens:

Environmental Factors
  1. Survival Instincts: Stray cats must fight for food, shelter, and safety, making them more aggressive and defensive.
  2. Territorial Protection: Stray cats may defend their territory from other animals, leading to aggressive behavior.
Lifestyle Factors
  1. Limited Human Interaction: Stray cats may not receive regular human interaction, leading to fear and aggression around people.
  2. Malnutrition and Thirst: Stray cats may experience hunger and thirst, increasing their irritability and aggression.
Experiential Factors
  1. Trauma and Abuse: Stray cats may have experienced trauma or abuse, leading to fear-based aggression.
  2. Disease and Pain: Stray cats may suffer from untreated medical conditions, causing pain and irritability.
Socialization Factors
  1. Lack of Socialization: Stray cats may not receive proper socialization, leading to fear and aggression around people and other animals.
  2. Feral Behavior: Stray cats may exhibit feral behavior, such as hissing, growling, and swatting, due to their lack of human interaction.
Comparison to Domestic Cats
  1. Regular Care and Attention: Domestic cats receive regular care, attention, and socialization, making them more confident and calm.
  2. Predictable Environment: Domestic cats live in a predictable environment, reducing stress and anxiety.

Keep in mind that every cat is an individual, and aggression can vary regardless of whether they’re stray or domestic. Hence, show and give love to all the Animals ( in short ).

Hena’s Blog For Paws © 2019 by Hena Osman is licensed under CC BY 4.0

5 responses to “Why Stray Cats Display More Aggression Than Domestic Cats”

  1. Sharon Donovan Avatar
    Sharon Donovan

    We have homed a stray cat. We have two resident cats. The newest stray cat is aggressive towards our other cats. Is it possible for them to live together happily? It has been over a year and they have to be in different parts of the house. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

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    1. Hena Osman Avatar
      Hena Osman

      Stray cat showing the signs of keeping her guards up due to the long period of time spent on the street. Hence, give her time and attention and let her sniff your clothing in which it has the scent of your domestic cats in order to know that other cats are also yours.
      This way the stray cat would know that domestic cats are friendly

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      1. Sharon Donovan Avatar
        Sharon Donovan

        We have done that, and, like I said, it has been over a year. We are not able to have the cats together or the former stray attacks the resident house cats.

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      2. Hena Osman Avatar
        Hena Osman

        In this case, you need to keep the Cats separetely. Usually, strays do get along the domestic Cats but, it is pretty rare if the stray cat has such a behavior which is clear sign of aggression.

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      3. Hena Osman Avatar
        Hena Osman

        I can totally relate to this, as my stray Cat doesn’t likes to even see my indoor cat, and once my indoor cat either sits at the door watching outside, my stray cat start hissing and growls at my indoor cat, which is ofcourse, very concerning, since the stray cat always wants to enter the house and wants my indoor cat to move out of the house. This is pure sense of Aggression as well as Possessiveness, they cannot tolerate any other pet to come near it’s owner.

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