by Bridget Webber

Created on: December 02, 2008   Last Updated: February 09, 2010

Cats, just like people can be a little moody sometimes. When it is us they are angry with we don't always understand why. You may believe your cat is angry, when in fact, you have misinterpreted his or her behaviour. At other times you may know for certain that your cat is angry, but be at a loss when it comes to knowing how to calm your furry friend down.

If your cat is angry, we need to take a look at what the cause may be. One reason for anger in cats can be frustration. They can get all wound up emotionally, just like we can, when they can't get what they want. It may be that your cat wants extra food, but you have them on a diet for their own good. Or, it might be that your cat wants to go out at night, but you are keeping them indoors for a while to stop them fighting with other cats.

Cats who can't get their own way can feel exasperated, which may lead to anger. If they think it's you who's preventing them from reaching their goal, it is you who will receive their icy stares, sulky behaviour, turned up nose, and possibly even the odd swipe from their paw as you pass by.

In such cases you can't exactly fully explain to your cat why you are standing in the way of whatever it is that they want. You can, however, take their mind off of grievances by paying them attention. It may sound ridiculous, but sulky cats often really like you to offer them extra attention, just so that they can ignore you and completely get their sulks out of their system.

Other cats, can benefit from venting their frustration on a toy. Make that a toy stuffed with catnip, and they will begin to feel better because of the toys herbal contents, as well as because they are releasing negative energy in a healthy way.

Occasionally cats can get angry because they don't feel well. Just as we can get a little grumpy and down in the dumps when we have a cold, or our day hasn't gone well, so can our cats. Wounds from a cat fight, a hurt leg from a fall, or toothache, may be the cause of your cats anger, and being their nearest and dearest it is to you they display their angry behaviour to in order to let you know they are poorly.

In such a case, what looks to be anger, may be a disguise for pain, and the resulting intolerance that comes from attempting to avoid  physical movement, or too much attention from others.

Your cat may also seem to be angry when they are being protective. I once had a cat who used to attack anyone who came to visit who was, according to him, somehow odd, and so shouldn't be allowed into the house. My cat singled out several characters who turned out to be very strange indeed, and who I wouldn't have socialised with had I realised what they were really like straight away.

He also seemed to sense if anyone was suffering from mental health problems, and while not attacking them, would behave differently towards them and give them the cold shoulder. Everyone else he was loving and gentle towards.

Cats can sometimes be protective like this if they feel that the person they are protecting is vulnerable in some way. I was going through a difficult patch when my cat used to be like this, but when I came out the other side, my cat stopped selecting visitors and left me to my own devices. So it would seem that sometimes our cats may feel that they are looking after us, when they just look like they are being aggressive.

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