My cat got aggressive after a toy startled her. How to prevent it?

Question

My cat randomly displayed redirected aggression when she set off a toy that was in a plastic bag and she couldn't find it or get to it. I removed her from the room with the toy, now I am wondering if I should remove the bag of toys before letting her back in? Or just turn off that toy and leave the bag? Or set off the toy in front of her so she sees where the sound had come from? It is in my baby's nursery so I really need to make sure she doesn't become aggressive every time she's in there now. Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Some cats are very sensitive to things like this, and can display redirected aggression in response to being startled. I would recommend getting rid of the bag of toys entirely so that there is no chance it will startle her again, before allowing her back into the room. I would not attempt to set off the toy in front of her to show her what the sound is, because there is a high risk that this will upset her again and make the problem worse - best to just get rid of the toy for good.

My cat got aggressive after a toy startled her. How to prevent it?

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