Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Assess the situation
• Part 2 of 4: Resolving aggression towards other pets
• Part 3 of 4: Resolving aggression towards people
• Part 4 of 4: Helping your cat feel better

Contrary to popular belief, blowing in a cat is not a bad behavior or display of aggression. When a cat blows, it's because something isn't right - although that can include aggressive instincts. In order for a cat to stop blowing, you first need to figure out what is bothering the cat.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Assess the situation

1. Understand why cats blow. Cats blow usually not to show dominance or to threaten other animals. They usually blow when they feel vulnerable, anxious, or in pain. But cats can do blow out aggression. Either way, punishing a cat when it blows will only upset it further, which will likely make it blow even more.
   • When a cat is aggressive, it is more likely to express it with growling or crying. Give your cat some space until you figure out why it is blowing.
2. Recognize the signs of aggression. While every cat behaves differently, there are a few characteristics that almost always accompany blowing when the behavior is a sign of aggression.
   • Hitting or scratching with the front legs.
   • Bite people or other animals.
   • Growling, screaming or crying.
   • Bare teeth and / or nails.
3. Watch for recent changes. Have you moved your cat to a new house or apartment? Did you get a new pet? Or a new roommate? Have you changed the arrangement of your furniture? Any of these examples can cause your cat to feel uncomfortable your cat's fear or confusion may be in the form of blowing.
4. Consider a ride to the vet. If your cat is blowing and there are no changes in his environment or temperament, he may be blowing because he is in pain. Consider taking your cat to the vet.

Part 2 of 4: Resolving aggression towards other pets

1. Allow your cat to adjust. Whether you've gotten a new pet or recently moved, your cat will likely need some time to adjust to its new environment.
2. Introduce new pets to a regulated environment. It may be a good idea to introduce them in a neutral environment, outside of your home, without any of the animals feeling threatened.
   • If you are bringing a new pet into your home, keep the new pet separate from your existing cat (s) and provide the new pet with food, water and a litter box separately. Allow the pets to gradually get used to each other in your home over a period of a few days to a few weeks.
   • First get them used to the air by letting the cats each sleep on an old piece of clothing that contains your air as a transitional form. The next night you can change clothes so the cats can smell each other's air. This one smell handshake can make the introduction somewhat easier because they learn about each other.
   • If an aggressive cat is blowing and exhibiting other aggressive behavior towards the new pet, keep it in its carrier during introductions.
   • People often cannot notice cat scent flags. Use a blacklight, available at pet stores, to look for cat urine stains on walls or furniture.
3. Check your cat for injuries. When cats fight, they often receive injuries that are not clearly visible. Examine the animal carefully by approaching the cat slowly and gently sliding your hands over its body looking for sensitive areas. Your cat will let you know when you find one, so don't push or poke. If you find an injury, take the cat to the vet or veterinary clinic right away.
   • Places where you can often find combat wounds are the head, chest and legs.
   • Be very careful, an injured cat can lash out to protect itself and cause serious injuries.
4. Consider having your cat spayed or neutered. If your tomcat is overly aggressive, including blowing, he may be hyper territorial. Neutering an aggressive male cat can help correct this behavior and reduce his unwanted aggression.

Part 3 of 4: Resolving aggression towards people

1. Listen to your cat. If your cat doesn't like to be petted, or held, or lifted, blowing can be its way of letting you know. Respect his boundaries and don't treat your cat in a way that makes him feel uncomfortable.
   • Always make sure your cat has an escape route to avoid you if she feels threatened. Many cats will blow when cornered, as a sign that they are uncomfortable with how close you are, and would you please leave. Looking around quickly and making sure the cat has a clearly visible way out on her own initiative will likely ease some of the tension.
2. Take measures against vicarious aggression. It is possible that your cat is blowing at you because it feels threatened by a neighbor's cat or dog that has challenged your cat through the window or screen door. If you believe this to be the case, try to keep the curtains and door closed as much as possible.
3. Wonder if your cat is afraid of people. It is possible that your cat has been physically hurt or neglected by a previous owner, or even someone who interacts with your cat today.
   • Investigate how other people treat the cat. Is there a chance that someone or something is hurting or bothering your cat and you're not aware of it? Ask around and keep an eye on children, they may not know how to treat a cat.
   • If you suspect someone of hurting your cat when you're not around, consider installing a babycam or placing a laptop or phone so that it can discreetly film the cat's surroundings for a few days.

Part 4 of 4: Helping your cat feel better

1. Give your cat space and time to relax. If your cat is blowing, distance yourself. It's important that a cat doesn't feel cornered or threatened, so don't corner it. Leaving a door ajar so the cat knows it can run away when needed can calm a fearful animal.
   • When approaching a nervous cat, do it slowly and give it time to adjust to your presence and your scent.
   • If your cat does run out of the room, don't chase it. That will only add to his anxiety.
   • Make sure to warn children and guests not to force your cat to be social.
2. Remove irritation from your cat's environment. Clean any cat spray stains with a specially formulated cleaning agent. If a neighbor's cat is hanging out outside a particular window or sliding glass door, use opaque paper or cardboard to cover the window so your cat can't see the intruder.
   • If your cat is a domestic cat, you can use cayenne or a specially formulated cat repellent around your yard to try and keep other cats away.
3. Provide good resources and hiding places for the cat. If your cat is stressed by a new baby or pet, the situation will improve over time, but you can help your cat by providing them with resources and places to hide.
   • Make sure the cat has at least one place to sit that keeps it out of the reach of possible nuisances, such as a high climbing pole or cat shelf.
   • If you have more than one cat, make sure there are enough litter boxes, food bowls and water bowls for everyone. Cats are much happier when they don't have to share.
4. Buy some new toys. Spend a little more time playing with your cat and try to think of new ways to stimulate it. Hide small treats around the house that your cat may seek out and never underestimate the therapeutic power of catnip.
5. Try a pheromone spray. There are a number of products on the market that help to calm stressed cats by releasing soothing pheromones into the air. Talk to your vet or pet store about which ones they recommend. These products can be expensive, but they can be worth it.
6. Consult with your vet. If you still can't figure out what's bothering your cat or how to fix it, get your pet examined by the vet. There may be something physically wrong with the cat, something you cannot see, and the vet may suggest medications or other treatments that can help calm your upset pet.