Why does my cat attack me?

Cats can sometimes be aggressive and attack their owners or other people and this can happen for a variety of reasons. To prevent this aggression from continuing, it is important to determine the underlying cause or trigger. It is always best to speak with your local vet first to rule out any underlying medical conditions before embarking on behavioural or environmental changes.   

Common reasons you cat attacks you

Unwanted attention

Some cats simply don’t tolerate being patted for long periods of time. Your cat may be content with you patting them and then suddenly start to show signs that they want the attention to stop. If you continue to pat your cat, they may start biting or scratching you.

This can also be heightened if you initiated the patting by picking up your cat, rather than the cat jumping in your lap seeking attention.  

Fear

If your cat feels threatened or cornered, they will start by showing signs of defensive behaviour such as hissing, growling or crouching in attempt to keep the person they are afraid of away from them. If this behaviour is ignored, the cat can attack to protect themselves.

This can also be linked to negative human interactions, lack of socialisation and general personality.

Pain

Cats that are in pain can display aggression when you attempt to approach or handle them. For example, cats with an injury or arthritis may try to avoid interaction as it causes them discomfort. Cats that have experienced a painful incident may also show aggression to avoid this being repeated such as a painful grooming experience or being held too tight by a young child.

Play

With play aggression the cat will generally seek you out and then pounce. They may be hiding behind furniture before they attack your ankles or go for one of your hands or feet that may be dangling over a couch. As predators, cats like to hide and jump out at their prey. However, there are alternative ways to allow your cat to fulfil these natural instincts.

This can be contributed to by allowing and encouraging a cat to play rough when they are a kitten.

Noise

Certain sounds can trigger aggression in cats. This can include another cat crying in pain, smoke alarms, home security systems, televisions, a baby crying, fireworks, storms or sirens from police, ambulance or fire trucks. They can also include subtle everyday sounds such as a squeaky door, a fan being turned on, or even a dishwasher running. They can be overwhelming, loud and frightening for your cat.

Their aggressive reaction to these sounds is their natural way of protecting themselves. This fearful behaviour is often combined with other behaviours such as trembling, restlessness, excessive heartbeat, destructive behaviours, excessive vocalisation, seeking to hide or escape.

Redirected aggression

This occurs when you try to handle a cat that is stimulated by another situation. For example, seeing a cat walking in their territory outside the window or smelling another cat’s odour on a family member. This type of aggression can be quite dangerous as they are uninhibited, and the attacks can be quite damaging and frightening.

This type of attack is not intentional, rather a reflex that is done without thought. Often pet parents will explain this type of aggression as unprovoked as they may not have been aware of the initial trigger. This can also include situations such as when your cat has been chased by a dog or has been involved in a cat fight.

Territorial

Cats are territorial animals and can attack others to protect their territory, food, toys or even their favourite place to relax. Territorial aggression is generally directed towards other cats but can also be directed at other pets and family members too.

Cats have an urge to mark their territory by leaving their scent. This is often done by scratching or rubbing their head or body against items, areas and even family members. Their perceived territory can include part of the house, the entire house, backyard or neighbourhood. Cats can show territorial aggression to particular family members or pets and not others.

How do I prevent my cat from attacking me?

Speak to your vet

It is always best to speak with your local vet first to rule out any underlying medical conditions. A sudden onset of unexplained aggression can mean that your cat is unwell. They can give your cat a thorough health check and work with you to determine the underlying cause or trigger for their behaviour and possible solutions. They can also refer you to an accredited behaviourist if needed.

Patting

Get to know your cats desire for affection and how much they can tolerate before becoming irritated. Let your cat approach you for affection rather than picking them up and placing them in your lap. Watch for signals that you cat has had enough such as swishing their tail, tense body, ears back and learn to stop with their cues.

Safe place to retreat

Never put your cat in a situation that they feel trapped or cornered. They have the right to choose what interactions they have with humans. If the situation cannot be avoided such as having guests over provide safe places for your cat to retreat such as elevated spaces or make a den for them to hide away behind the furniture or under a bed. They might also prefer a space set-up in a room away from all the noise. Just remember to check on them regularly and offer toilet breaks.

Body language

Understand what your cat is communicating by watching their body language.

An aggressive “offensive” cat will be trying to make themselves look more intimidating such as an upright stance, stiff tail, direct stare, upright ears, hackles up, growling, directly facing and possibly approaching you.

An aggressive “defensive” cat will be trying to hide or make themselves smaller to escape the threat they perceive. This can include crouching, tucked head, tail tucked or curved around their body, flattened ears, turning sideways to you, hissing and possibly delivering strikes with their paws.

If your cat is showing any of these signs do not touch, attempt to pacify or punish your cat. Take their hint and leave them alone.

Close curtains

If your cat is getting aggressive after seeing cats, birds or other animals outside the window, it can be worth closing the blinds or moving your cat to another room so they cannot see all the action.

Safe playtime

Spend some time each day playing with your cat. Allow them to express their natural instincts such as hiding, chasing and pouncing through play with the use of toys, rather than fingers or toes. During playtime, teach them to play gently, playtime should end if they scratch hard or bite. Your cat will soon realise you want to play with them, but they get no attention if they play aggressively.

Toys and scratching posts

Make sure your cat has plenty of toys and a scratching post to sink their claws and teeth into. Rotate the toys regularly to prevent boredom.