Have you ever been pet your cat , enjoy some calibre soldering time , when suddenly , they bite or swat at you ? This behavior , known as pet hostility , leave many cat parent excise their heads ( and sometimes nursing their wounds ) .
While the experience can be jarring , pet aggression in cats is a common behavior , and rest assure , it does n’t mean your kitty hates you or that you ’ve failed as a pet parent .
So , what call forth these unexpected nips ? take on to uncover the hidden cause behind petting aggression and determine pragmatic tips to prevent those pesky bites .
What Is Petting Aggression in Cats?
pet aggression ( aka petting - induced aggression ) is when a bozo suddenly becomes aggressive or agitated while being preferred .
Though biting is the hallmark sign of pet hostility , a cat may also display extra justificative postures or behaviors , such as flattened ears , a tucked head , turning away from you , rapidly alternate off your lap covering , swat at you , recruit hackle , hiss , orcrouching .
So , what have your sweet small furball to seemingly go from Sleeping Beauty to Cujo at the drop of a chapeau ?
harmonize to Kate Luse , an IAABC Certified Cat Behavior Consultant and proprietor ofHealthy Cattitude , “ Petting - induced aggressiveness occur when a cat is pet when they do n’t want to be , pet for farsighted than they want to be , or pet on parts of their consistence where they do n’t want to be . ”
In other lyric , for some ground , your petting session becomes unpleasant for your bozo , and they bite , swat , or scratch to pass along that they need the fundamental interaction to terminate .
Why Do Cats Bite When You Pet Them?
Unlike dogs , most cats have a petting room access and are easily overstimulated . “ There is individual variation in how much and where on their body cats like to be preferent , ” say Luse .
Some big cat will fain accept an hr of petting , while another might only enjoy a few stroke . Most cats fall somewhere in the middle .
Sensitivities
Luse explains that cats who are more sensitive to allude and prefer less petting are more probable to expose necking aggressiveness because their humans will likely pet them more than they ’re comfortable with , or on sensitive parts of their body . “ That said , any cat who is pet more than they want , or on situation they do n’t like to be touched , can display petting - have aggression . ”
Stress
Laura Cassiday , an IAABC Certified Cat Behavior adviser and owner ofPawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior & Training , adds that petting aggression is more probable to occur in cats who arestressed out . If a Caterpillar is already agitated , it wo n’t take much for the cup to spill over , she read .
Pain
Cats who are inpainor discomfort are also more probable to show hugging aggression , says Cassiday . If your normally - laid-back cat begins to display a small tolerance for necking or you observe that pet certain areas of their body stimulates petting aggression , take your cat to your veterinarian for a checkup to insure nothing is medically wrong .
Boredom
Lastly , pet aggressiveness can be have by a lack of genial or physical stimulus and enrichment , enounce Cassiday . “ Bored and frustrated cats generally do n’t tolerate hugging as well as others . ”
The Difference Between Petting Aggression and Other Forms of Cat Biting
It ’s important to understand the difference between petting aggression and “ sexual love bites . ” Some cats demonstrate affection by give a legal tender bite or nip while you ’re petting them . you may discern a love sharpness if your Arabian tea ’s consistency linguistic communication does n’t display signs of fright or hostility , and they seem tranquil and content . Additionally , dearest sharpness tend to be more of a gentle , grasping bite rather than a forceful , aggressive one .
Petting aggression is also not the same as play sting . During playtime , cats often bite or nip as a form of playful interaction . This behavior is a natural part of a cat ’s development and socialization , as it help them practice and perfect their hunt instincts , coordination , and communication acquirement . This type of biting can be avoided by always using cat toy , rather than your hand , during playtime .
Your cat may also give you a soft nip if they ’re “ dress ” you . cat may curry their littermates , female parent , and even their human fellow . This conduct is think to be an expression of affection .
Signs That Petting Aggression May Happen
While pet parents often describe that true cat petting aggression seems to happen out of nowhere , this is not typically the case and points to a lack of reason of and aid to feline eubstance oral communication .
Your cat may display several warning sign of the zodiac that signal impending pet hostility . “ consistence tensing up , dog twitchingor thrashing , ears go back , pupils dilating , and my favorite — the look back at your hand . Sometimes it ’s a full - on look , sometimes it ’s just a side optic , ” says Cassiday . computerized axial tomography parent often drop these foretoken ( or do n’t understand them ) , especially when they ’re abstractedly petting their cats while watching television , scrolling on their phones , or affiance in conversation .
How to Stop Petting Aggression in Cats
To minimise or eliminate pet hostility , view these confidential information :
Do a consent test
Cassiday recommends doing a “ consent trial ” to enquire your cat if they want to find pets . “ Hold your hand out an inch or two out from your Caterpillar ’s face . If they shut the length on their own , they ’re saying yes , please pet me . After a few seconds , take your hand away and give them the chance to end the distance again . If they do n’t move , or if they turn their head away , they ’re done with petting , ” she excuse . “ Cats who are given the luck to nicely say no and do n’t have warning signs disregard are much less likely to bite or lettuce . ”
Keep it short and sweet
Luse recommend petting your guy for brief menstruum , frequently stopping to assess their eubstance language and determine if they require more ( or for you to stop ) .
Be mindful of petting location
When you pet your computed tomography , focalise on their promontory , the side of their facial expression , and the back of their cervix . quash full - body hugging , at least initially , as this may be overstimulating . Many true cat are more sensitive near the groundwork of their posterior , on their leg , and on their bellies , so these areas are best avoided ( unless you ’ve already determined your cat likes favourite in those areas ) . If your cat gives you signs that they do n’t like a particular area of their consistence being pet , respect that and instantly arrest .
Maintain a consistent play routine
engage in day-to-day play seance with your cat and providing plenty of enrichment chance can helpcalm your catand make your feline fellow more tolerant of snuggling . This is because playtime helps relinquish built - up stress , tautness , and DOE from your cat ’s system .
Consider training
For some cats , a desensitizing or buffet - conditioning architectural plan usingclicker trainingmay help them learn to tolerate and maybe even enjoy more petting , says Cassiday . This may be peculiarly helpful for cat with trauma or computed axial tomography who were n’t by rights socialized . preparation , however , should only be done under the steering of a cat behaviourist .
Never Punish Your Cat for Petting Aggression
Both Cassiday and Luse strongly apprize against punishments like spray your cat with body of water or giving them a bebop on the head when they exhibit pet aggression .
“ Cats should never be punish merely for transmit their need , ” says Cassiday . “ Most guy will step by step go up the ladder of aggression and show many other signs of discomfort first before escalate to a swat or insect bite , and it ’s up to the great unwashed to larn to recognize those sign and stop petting rather . ”
Luse echo this sentiment . “ When a cat recur to petting - induced aggression , it mean we have n’t hear what they ’ve render to tell us about when and how they like to be pet , ” she enunciate . “ The solution to petting - induced aggressiveness is n’t punishment — it ’s learning to read cat eubstance language and respecting what our computerized tomography are telling us . ”
On top of that , Luse explains that punishment will likely decline the behavior . When a cat displays petting aggression , she ’s in a heightened state of arousal , and penalty will likely intensify the issue and the likeliness of more aggressive behavior .
“ Punishment also harms your kinship with your Arabian tea , ” says Luse . “ We may think we ’re telling our cat that when they engage in petting - induced aggression with us , punishment will be the consequence . But more likely , the hombre comes to simply relate us , not their own conduct , with the penalty . This erodes the cat’sbondwith and trust in us . ”
Our adorable , barbate friend may occasionally expose behaviors that challenge us , but with patience , intellect , and a little bit of feline finesse , we can make our rest home a symmetrical oasis for both true cat and mankind . So , keep an eye on your kitty ’s subtle cue , honor their boundaries , and shower down them with love ( on their term , of path ! ) .
