What is Toy Aggression in Cats?

Though more often seen in dogs, toy aggression can be a problem with our feline friends as well. It is usually linked to play aggression; however, this unique issue can pop up in an otherwise gentle, mild-mannered kitty. But the question remains: what, exactly, IS toy aggression in cats?

Simply put, this type of combativeness comes up when a cat feels that his ownership of a prized possession is put into question – for instance, if a person tries to take a favored toy or if another cat attempts to play with it. Signals that your cat is possessive over a toy can include growling, nipping or biting, clawing, or excessively rough “play” with other cats, pets, or humans. Those signals, of course, are extreme. On the milder end of the spectrum, your kitty might show his protectiveness in gentler ways, like laying on top of his toy, keeping it out of reach, or pushing others away from the object with his paws or body.

Why is My Cat Toy Aggressive?

Although many people boil this issue down to their cat simply being “mean,” there are actually a few reasons why felines behave in this manner. Two of the most common are the play aggressiveness we mentioned earlier, and the other is territorial defensiveness.

Play Aggression
Although the mingling of the words “play” and “aggression” may sound weirdly endearing, what it actually translates to is, “I've identified you as prey, and now I'm going to hunt you.” Scary, right? This style of aggression is often seen in kittens just getting their feet wet in the field of hunting, and that is entirely understandable... after all, they haven't had the opportunity to learn the difference between, say, your hand and a mouse. Unfortunately, though, kitties of every age can become play aggressive.

Play aggression sometimes develops due to simple things, like a high degree of unspent energy, boredom, or a lack of playtime structure. At other times – and especially in older cats – it may be a sign of poor training – for example, your cat may have been taught that it's all right to play with his human's hands while he was still in his formative period. It may also indicate that your cat is lacking stimulation, and either needs a playmate he can trust and respect, or just more time with you in general.

Playtime hostility can manifest in a number of ways, including biting, swatting and clawing, growling or other angry vocalizations, and general displays of hunting behavior.

Territorial Defensiveness
You may give your kitty full reign of the house and just about everything in it, but cats are pretty territorial creatures, and they sometimes feel the need to protect said territory. Although you may have provided the safest environment possible, kitties are alert little critters that need things to be “just so” in order to feel safe. If anything goes out of place or alters, you might find your furry buddy grasping at anything to develop a sense of balance – and this includes his playthings.

In some cases, territory defensiveness may be somewhat ingrained in a cat; for instance, if he was a stray or semi-feral, if he spent a lot of time in a shelter, or if he came from a home with a lot of other felines, then he will likely feel compelled to protect anything he perceives as his own. In other instances, it may be the result of a sudden, acute shift in his lifestyle, like if you moved house, brought a new animal into the environment, or made any other large changes to the household.

Symptoms of territorial defensiveness are actually fairly similar to those of play aggression in that your cat will often hiss or growl, swat, bite or scratch. The key difference is that, unlike play aggression, territory defensive cats will often focus their energies on specific items or areas, like cat trees or beds.

How to Help a Toy Aggressive Cat

In order to help your toy aggressive cat, you have to get to the heart of the problem. What is his unique issue? How did he get to that point? Below, we will try to identify the root causes, and then individually address what you can do to help resolve them.

How to Find the Root of the Problem

The strange thing about this whole issue is that the root is either glaringly obvious or totally mysterious. Both toy aggression and territory defensiveness look similar on the surface, what with all of the rough exchanges and ferocious vocalizations. However, there are a few vital differences that you will want to watch out for.

If Your Cat is Play Aggressive He Will Likely:

• Show classic hunting behaviors like stalking, butt wiggling, and pouncing
• Attack people and other pets, as well as the appendages attached to said individuals
• Participate in aggressive play more actively during the morning and evening hours

If Your Cat Is Defending His Territory He Will Likely:

• Display marking behaviors such as inappropriate urination or rigorously rubbing his face or body against specific things
• Focus his attentions on a specific object or place, and will most often show aggression when he feels that these things are being encroached upon
• Show other inappropriate litter box habits, such as defecating outside of the box

If It's Play Aggression

If play aggression seems to be the culprit of your cat's toy aggression, then the solution can actually be pretty simple: redirection. If your kitty's toy possessiveness stems from play aggression, you may need to stock up on some new playthings, thus reducing the feeling of “lack,” and increasing mental and physical stimulation. It may also come down to beefing up or altering your play schedule. If you have a few free moments during the peak times – early morning and late afternoon – try to pencil in five or ten minutes of play. You may also need to work on retraining. If your feline didn't learn the rules of the house during his youth, then now is the time to start.

If It's Territorial Defensiveness

If your kitty is feeling insecure with his environment, thus causing the symptoms of toy aggression, then it's time to set things right. Develop a regular schedule and try to avoid too much deviation. Furthermore, it's a good idea to start setting up some “safe spaces” – like, say, an open-walled cat cat tree or wall perches. Finally, if your home is a multi-feline household, make sure to provide plenty of everything for each cat – several litter boxes, lots of toys, and enough places for everyone to hunker down in.

Conclusion

A toy aggressive cat can be worrisome, but if you can identify the root cause and work to correct the underlying issue, there is no reason it should ruin an otherwise peaceful household.