If you have a cat, you are probably frustrated with it sometimes. You can be playing with it, or petting it, and everything seems fine, then all of a sudden it turns and bites or scratches you. Or you can be calmly sit and reading, maybe tapping your toes to some music, and the cat will come up out of nowhere and attack with all claws and teeth! Why do cats do that sometimes? What can be done about it?

There are two primary reasons for cat’s behavior, including biting and other aggressive acts. If you are aware of them, you will probably enjoy your cat more.

Aggression During Play

If a cat has been brought up to believe that biting and scratching people during playing is ok, then it might be hard to break this habit, even using cat behavior training methods. This cat behavior, including biting, is common in cats younger than two years of age. Their play at that age includes exploration, investigation, and predatory practice. This type of play helps them learn the skills they need to have normally to survive. For example, stalking skills are useful in catching prey. Though their food likely comes in a bowl, the urge to stalk is not lost. They’ll still practice it often.

Usually when there is aggressive play, the cat attacks unexpectedly. Though the teeth generally don’t break the skin, it can still be painful to get scratched. Sometimes the owner encourages this type of play, by letting the kitten chase or bite their hands during playtime. Later, they may be surprised when the cat all of a sudden attacks from the shadows.

If you see the cat before it attacks, it will likely be in a position likely for stalking or catching prey. It may crouch low, and freeze in that position as it twitches its tail and flicks its ears back and forth. It often wraps its front paws around the person’s hand while biting it. Usually negative cat behavior, like biting, can be redirected toward toys and other appropriate choices.

Tired-Of-Being-Petted Aggression

Most cats love being petted. It must feel good to them. Though it isn’t fully understood yet, it appears that the feeling of being petted can change from being pleasant to unpleasant. When that happens, the cat will likely turn on you and bite. Though it may seem to be from out of the blue, there are usually signs you will notice if you watch before the bite. The cat’s body posture will change and get more tense, the cat will seem restless, the ears begin to move back and the tail often twitches. If you see this behavior, to protect yourself it is smart to stop petting and allow the cat to move away if it wants.

In order to lengthen the amount of time the cat will tolerate petting, try using food as a reward for extended petting sessions. This can help the cat associate petting with the good sensation of being fed snacks. While you are doing this, be sure to stop if she exhibits signs of being “done” with being petted, and stop.

If you are aware of your cat’s behavior, biting and scratching can be a thing of the past. Being alert to your cat’s behavior when not biting, and rewarding good behavior by your cat, will encourage your cat to have good social skills around people.

Tags: Cat Behavior Biting, Cat Behavior Training

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