An alpha cat is a dominant individual who is very headstrong and always wants her own way. This cat goes beyond the occasional naughtiness that most cats show. She's a bully who doesn't hesitate to use aggressive behavior to try to control her owner and any other animals she lives with.

What Cat Behavior Indicates An Alpha Cat?

Alpha cats are the ones who give cats a bad name. If you think your cat is evil, you may be right, especially if she shows the following cat behavior problems:

• She only allows you to touch her when she wants you to. Otherwise, stay away!

• There's no sleeping in when she's around, as she'll bite you on the toes or even on your nose to get you out of bed.

• She loudly demands that you feed her, and she'll bite your foot if you're not quick enough with the can opener.

• If another animal approaches her when she's eating, she'll growl and act like she's going to attack.

• She's also very protective of her toys.

One behavior that these cats share is called petting-induced aggression. This type of cat behavior can be very frustrating for owners. The cat jumps in your lap, asking to be petted. Of course, you oblige. Suddenly, her eyes narrow, and she lays her ears back. She'll look at your hand, and her tail starts lashing back and forth. If you continue to pet her, she'll attack you, biting and clawing your hand for no reason at all.

How To Deal With An Evil Cat

Behavior modification is very useful for changing problem cat behavior. Your cat has probably already figured out that you provide all the good things in her life, including food and petting. What you do is take charge of the situation by making her earn these things instead of just giving them to her. While this is not always easy, this type of cat training is a non-confrontational way for your cat to learn that you're in charge, not her.

Make a list of what causes your cat to become aggressive, and then try to avoid these situations.

For example, if your cat attacks your nose when you're sleeping, don't let her in the bedroom at night. You may need earplugs for a few nights so she doesn't keep you awake with her howling at the bedroom door, but stand firm. She'll give it up when she realizes it's not working.

Does she demand that you feed her, and bite your feet if you're too slow? Put her on a twice-a-day feeding schedule so that you're in charge of the food. Use a clicker to train her to sit quietly while you're getting her food. If she doesn't behave herself, don't feed her. A cat doesn't need to miss many meals to figure out how to be polite. She'll more than like be a lot more cooperative at the next meal.

Read Cat Behavior Problems And Your Alpha Cat for more "tough love" suggestions for dealing with an alpha cat.

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