06/06/2026
One of the most common labels given to cats is "aggressive."
A cat hisses. A cat growls. A cat swats.
And suddenly, they're labeled as aggressive.
The problem is that "aggressive" describes how we perceive what the cat did, but not why they did it.
Many cats displaying these behaviors are actually experiencing:
• Fear
• Anxiety
• Pain
• Stress
• Frustration
• Overstimulation
In many cases, these behaviors are communication.
When we label a cat as aggressive, we may stop looking for the underlying cause and start viewing the cat as the problem.
Instead of asking:
"Why is this cat aggressive?"
Try asking:
"What is this cat trying to communicate?"
That simple shift can help us better understand the cat, address their needs, and strengthen our relationship with them.