6 Reasons Your Cat May Attack You & How to Fix It
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Your normally happy cat is staring intently outside at something, tail completely straight and ears back. You wonder what is bothering them, so you walk over to your cat and they suddenly lash out at you! Even worse is when you’re both happily enjoying a petting session when, seemingly out of nowhere, she bites your hand. Ouch!
Cat bites and scratches not only hurt but can become serious, as their claws and teeth carry bacteria that could make a cat-induced wound much worse than any normal injury.
Some cats have aggressive tendencies, but some cats with normal day-to-day behavior attack suddenly without much warning. If your own cat has randomly attacked you before, read on to find out why and how to solve the problem.
The 6 Reasons Your Cat Might Attack You
1. Fear
Cats that are exposed to new people, animals, or places can display fear aggression. Fear aggression also comes out when there’s an unpleasant experience underway, like getting ready for a trip to the vet or a loud noise your cat doesn’t like.
| How to Fix it: | Identify the situations that cause fear aggression in your cat and gradually introduce your cat to the stimulus causing the fear, so she can get used to it. If she can see the fear-inducing thing from a distance and watch it come closer without showing unwanted behavior, praise her for this. |
2. Pain
Since cats can’t talk to us, sometimes they attack you when they are experiencing pain for some medical reason, like arthritis. To avoid any touch or movement that might increase their pain, they may hiss, scratch, or bite you.
| How to Fix it: | If you know your cat’s got a sore spot, do not touch that area. Talk with a vet to make a plan to relieve your cat’s pain. |
If you are concerned about the health and well-being of your pet, seek veterinary advice for the best course of action.
3. Territorial Reason
Each cat creates and protects its own stomping grounds. If a new cat, other animal, and sometimes new person is introduced to that sacred ground, things can get ugly. Sometimes this even happens to previously ok’d individuals, but maybe they have been gone for a long time. Territorial cats will swat, chase, or attack their intruder.
| How to Fix it: | “Unwelcome” other felines should be introduced or reintroduced very slowly and gradually. Make sure they have their own space, litter box, water, and food bowl. You can also place the two cats in kennels or on harnesses across the room from each other and slowly bring them closer. It’s important not to rush this process if you truly want them to get along. |
4. Dominance
Sometimes a cat wants to run the house and wants everyone to know who's boss. Cats displaying this behavior will block doorways, bat at other cats who walk by, or bite you when you give another pet attention.
| How to Fix it: | Ignore a cat displaying this behavior. Instead, wait until the cat is in a completely relaxed state, then reward him with praise or treats. |
5. Petting-Induced (Overstimulation)
Cats sometimes love being stroked and scratched, but some cats don’t understand a good way to tell you to stop. This comes out in seemingly random attacks directed at you while you think they are enjoying your attention. Nobody knows exactly why this happens, but the theory behind overstimulation is that cats don't allow themselves to get too carried away that they make themselves vulnerable, so it's sort of a defensive move to regain control. Watch for the pupils to become dilated, ears to turn backward, and tail to whip about. Then you know she’s about to show aggression.
| How to Fix it: | Don’t touch or pet the cat in a way she doesn’t like, and learn to identify overstimulation precursors to successfully stop interactions before a bite or swat. |
6. Redirected Aggression
Occasionally a cat will attack you or another pet when it is stimulated by something else. This can happen when your cat sees another stray cat outside or has a bad interaction with another cat.
| How to Fix it: | Remove the thing causing your cat grief by pulling down the window shade or avoiding situations that cause aggression between cats. Do not attempt to interact with your cat during such moments. |
How to Deal with Cat Aggression
We’ve outlined what kinds of behavior aggressive cats display and how to address each one. Now let’s talk about things you can do to further prevent all kinds of cat attacks.
Additional Information
Conclusion
Cats, like all animals, usually have a reason for doing what they do, whether we know that reason or not. Don’t assume a cat is being bad if they are attacking you. It could be difficult not to cry out or retaliate if they abuse you. Try to see the reason behind the behavior, and then you can more quickly ease your and your cat’s woes. Related reads:
Featured Image Credit: Anna Kraynova, Shutterstock
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Jordin Horn is a freelance writer who has covered many topics, including home improvement, gardening, pets, CBD, and parenting. Over the years, she has moved around so much that there's been no time to settle down and own a pet. However, as an animal lover, she dotes on and cuddles any pet she happens upon! She grew up with and dearly loved an American Eskimo Spitz named Maggie and a Pomeranian/Beagle mix named Gabby. She calls Colorado home, but has also recently resided in China, Iowa, and Puerto Rico
Jordin does not like to settle for the "easy answer" when it comes to living life with your pet. She loves to research the best methods and products out there and cut through the jargon so you can see plainly what something is or how something is done.
