The nature of aggressive responses in cats is strongly related to their natural behavioural responses and to their social and communication systems in the wild. The cat has a range of subtle body postures and facial expressions which can be used to diffuse tension and avoid physical conflict and, for a solitary hunter, this is important in order to prevent injury and consequent threat to the individual’s survival. In addition cats use a range of vocalisations to further increase the success of communication so that fighting is usually the ‘last resort’ defence strategy. | The nature of aggressive responses in cats is strongly related to their natural behavioural responses and to their social and communication systems in the wild. The cat has a range of subtle body postures and facial expressions which can be used to diffuse tension and avoid physical conflict and, for a solitary hunter, this is important in order to prevent injury and consequent threat to the individual’s survival. In addition cats use a range of vocalisations to further increase the success of communication so that fighting is usually the ‘last resort’ defence strategy. |