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However, few properly constructed surveys of the prevalence of aggression in domestic cats have been carried out.  

However, few properly constructed surveys of the prevalence of aggression in domestic cats have been carried out.  

In a study by Ramos and Mills, looking at Brazilian cats, human-directed aggression was seen in a number of situations, such as when stroking a cat or playing games with it <ref>Ramos, D., Mills, D.A. (2009) Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 11. 835-841.</ref>. The overall prevalence of aggress was 49.5%, which is much higher than previously observed. For example, in a previous UK study only 13% of cats were found to show aggression toward people <ref>Bradshaw, J.W.S., Casey, R.A., MacDonald, J.M. (2000) The occurrence of unwanted behaviour in the cat pet population. In: Proceedings of the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group Study Day; Birmingham, England.</ref>

In a study by Ramos and Mills, looking at owner reports of aggression in cats in Brazil, human-directed aggression was seen in a number of situations, such as when stroking a cat or playing games with it <ref>Ramos, D., Mills, D.A. (2009) Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 11. 835-841.</ref>. The overall prevalence of aggress was 49.5%, which is much higher than previously observed. For example, in a previous UK study only 13% of cats were found to show aggression toward people <ref>Bradshaw, J.W.S., Casey, R.A., MacDonald, J.M. (2000) The occurrence of unwanted behaviour in the cat pet population. In: Proceedings of the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group Study Day; Birmingham, England.</ref>. This study found that 48% of cats showed aggression to other cats. In a Spanish study, which collected data from 451 veterinary practices, aggression towards people ranked 4th in frequency, and aggression toward other cats 5th. Inappropriate urination and defecation (which included spray marking) ranked first, with excessive scratching and vocalisation ranking 2nd and 3rd respectively. Figures from the annual report (2003) of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) showed that 23% of referred feline cases involved [[Feline Aggression Towards Cats|aggression towards other cats]], making it the second most commonly referred problem after [[Indoor Marking - Cat|indoor marking]] (25% of cases). A further 13% of the reported feline cases involved [[Feline Aggression Towards People|aggression towards people]]. This data is taken from a referral population, and therefore does not reflect the actual prevalence of aggression.

Aggression is therefore a significant concern for many cat owners. Data on referral rates of feline aggression cases to individual behavioural clinics varies widely, with some clinics experiencing referral rates of 13% of their total caseload and others 25%. In a Brazilian study

Due to differences in data collection and source between those studies which are available, it is difficult to evaluate the actual prevalence of feline aggression problems.

Referral populations are unrepresentative of the general population, as are veterinary reports.  

Other work, carried out by a research team at Southampton University, has shown that 13% of owners reported aggression to people and 48% aggression to other cats. These figures were obtained directly from a sample of the general cat owning population, rather than those seeking professional help and they indicate that aggression problems may be even more prevalent in the general feline population than in the referral population.

It is likely that the prevalence of aggression is high, but that aggression cases are under presented. This may due to owner tolerance and adaptation to their pet's behaviour; they may handle the cat less if it shows aggression when stroked, for example. Also, aggression between cats will often occur outside the home, with the only indication that is has occurred being injures to the pet.

 

There may be many reasons for this difference. Firstly, many cat owners may be unaware of the welfare and safety risks associated with aggression problems. Secondly, the owners of aggressive cats have the option to exclude these animals from the domestic home so that they become ‘outdoor’ cats. Thirdly, and most importantly, many cat owners may not be aware that anything can be done to help the situation and therefore do not seek help. Such obstacles to seeking advice place an additional demand on the veterinary practice to ask questions about feline behavioural problems during routine consultations rather than to expect clients to raise the subject themselves.

Feline aggression is also often regarded as less serious than canine aggression, and as a consequence cases may not be referred until they have become serious. Unfortunately such an approach is not only detrimental to prognosis but also increases the risk of injury, so it is important for owners to understand how serious the consequences of feline aggression can be. Physical injury to people or animals and zoonotic infections are a very real danger since the cat is equipped with weapons in the form of claws and teeth. When [[Feline Aggression Towards People|feline aggression is targeted toward people]], the danger it poses should never be underestimated. When the victims are children or elderly people with frail skin it is important to emphasise to owners that the potential injuries from cats are serious. The rate of bacterial contamination in cat bites is several times that in the dog, because bite punctures tend to be deep and a majority of cats harbour [[:Category:Pasteurella and Mannheimia species|''Pasteurella multocida'']] and other pathogens in their mouths. Only 25% of dog bites contain ''Pasteurella multocida'', compared to 50-74% of cat bites. Other bacteria may also be present, including ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]''. This means that all cat bites that cause skin penetration or bleeding should be treated medically without delay. A course of antibiotics and anti-tetanus may be required.

Feline aggression is also often regarded as less serious than canine aggression, and as a consequence cases may not be referred until they have become serious. Unfortunately such an approach is not only detrimental to prognosis but also increases the risk of injury, so it is important for owners to understand how serious the consequences of feline aggression can be. Physical injury to people or animals and zoonotic infections are a very real danger since the cat is equipped with weapons in the form of claws and teeth. When [[Feline Aggression Towards People|feline aggression is targeted toward people]], the danger it poses should never be underestimated. When the victims are children or elderly people with frail skin it is important to emphasise to owners that the potential injuries from cats are serious. The rate of bacterial contamination in cat bites is several times that in the dog, because bite punctures tend to be deep and a majority of cats harbour [[:Category:Pasteurella and Mannheimia species|''Pasteurella multocida'']] and other pathogens in their mouths. Only 25% of dog bites contain ''Pasteurella multocida'', compared to 50-74% of cat bites. Other bacteria may also be present, including ''[[Staphylococcus aureus]]''. This means that all cat bites that cause skin penetration or bleeding should be treated medically without delay. A course of antibiotics and anti-tetanus may be required.