Ouch! Did your cat bite you? Well, animal behaviorists see aggression as the second most common feline behavior problem. Although cat aggression is sometimes overlooked in favor of dog aggression—possibly because cats are smaller and do not pursue people to bite them—aggressive cats can be dangerous.
Cats can be aggressive toward their owners or other people for a variety of reasons. It’s critical to figure out what the underlying cause, or trigger, is to effectively treat the problem.
Why does my cat attack me is a common question among pet owners. Don’t worry, this is completely treatable; however, doing it correctly may take some time and effort. Let’s take a look at why your cat is acting so strangely in this article.
Why does my Cat Attack me?
There are many reasons why your cat might attack you. Following are the very possible reasons:
1. Play Aggression
Adult cats still have a strong desire to play, even if it is not as strong as it is in kittens. This is easy to overlook, making it difficult to refrain from indulging. Indoor cats, in particular, who don’t have access to the garden to practice stalking and pouncing behaviors, may begin to use you, your furniture, and your clothing as “prey”.
When a cat engages in play aggression, it usually approaches the target (stalking) and then leaps onto it. Usually, there is no warning growl or hiss. The assailant may wait behind a barrier, intensely focused and twitching their tail.
The simplest way to navigate this fine line is to have a large number of appropriate toys on hand. Also, make time for dedicated play sessions with your cat, but always allow them to ‘win’ before they become frustrated.
2. Pain Induced Aggression
Pain-induced and irritable aggression can be directed at people, animals, or objects and is triggered by pain, frustration, or deprivation. When in pain, any animal, including humans, can become aggressive.
Even a well-socialized, normally docile cat can lash out if he’s hurt if someone tries to touch a painful part of him (for example, to medicate his infected ears), or if he’s in pain and expects to be handled because someone is approaching him.
Cats with aggressive behavior should be checked for underlying medical issues, particularly painful diseases like arthritis, dental pain, and abscesses from fighting. Not only is painful punishment ineffective in changing cat behavior, but it can also lead to pain-induced aggression.
3. My Territory Aggression
Territorial aggression occurs only between two or more cats when one feels compelled to defend his or her territory. When a human tries to enter or leave a room, some extremely dominant cats may attack them. The entire house or a portion of it, the yard, the block, or the neighborhood may be considered a cat’s perceived territory.
Cats mark their territory by patrolling, rubbing their chins, and spraying urine. They might stalk, chase, and ambush an intruder while hissing, swatting, and growling. Some cats stalk their prey slowly and steadily, while others chase them down quickly and aggressively.
4. Sexual Aggression
Sexual aggression is only seen in male cats. The cat will climb up a person’s arm or ankle, grab the skin with its teeth, and thrust the pelvis forward. At this point, attempting to dislodge the cat will result in increased aggression.
While a female cat’s thick scruff protects her from actual harm from a male’s nape-bite (back of neck), human skin isn’t as well protected and can be injured. It’s possible that this happens as a result of incorrect sexual imprinting.
5. Redirected Aggression
Because the bites are uninhibited and the attacks can be frightening and damaging, redirected aggression is probably the most dangerous type of cat aggression. When a cat is aggressively aroused and agitated by an animal or person he can’t reach, redirected aggression occurs.
When an agitated cat is approached or someone is close by, a redirected attack occurs. The cat will not seek out someone to attack! It isn’t a malicious or even deliberate act of aggression. It’s almost as if it’s a reflex, carried out without thought.
Therefore, breaking up a catfight or approaching an agitated cat in defensive or offensive aggression postures is never a good idea.
6. Petting Related Aggression
Petting-related aggression is both frustrating and frightening. You’re having a cuddly moment with your sweet furball one minute, and the next, the cat is running in seven different directions at the same time, leaving you bleeding from multiple bites or scratches.
Cats are extremely sensitive animals. It’s possible that the cat can only take so much stimulation, or that certain “off-limits” areas will draw blood–from you–if you get too close. There could be a pain issue or a bad memory, but very few cats attack without warning, even if it appears that way. It’s critical to become a feline body language expert.
7. Noise Induces Aggression
Certain sound frequencies may cause cats to become aggressive. A baby crying, another cat crying, or high-frequency whistling or squeaking sounds are all examples. The elicitation of predatory behavior by high-frequency sounds could be one explanation.
8. Fear Aggression
When a cat perceives a threat, fear aggression can develop, and if he is unable to flee, it can escalate. The more threatening a person, animal, object, or sound appears to the cat, the more his fear response will be heightened.
The tail and body will be lowered, and the ears will be turned back, but the teeth will be displayed, and hissing or growling may occur. Fearful cats will usually avoid approaching the victim. This issue can strike at any age.
If a cat can’t get away from the thing he’s afraid of, aggressive signals are more likely to be displayed. Avoiding a defensively aggressive cat until he calms down is often the best way to deal with him.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has provided some insight into why cats bite. Always pay attention to your cat’s body language and preferences. Then provide a variety of appropriate toys for them to roughhouse with.
Your relationship will be strong and loving if you learn to read your cat and give them consistency in return.