↓
 
  • Check out our exclusive 1-Page Guides!
    • What’s Really The Best Cat Food?
    • Raw Feeding Pyramid Guide
    • Prey Model Raw (PMR) Cheat Sheet
    • Prey Model/Whole Prey Bone Guide
    • Prey Model Raw (PMR) Menu Example
    • Whole Prey Menu Example

CatCentric

Feline nutrition, general health and behavior. Better lives through better care!

CatCentric
  • Blog
  • Nutrition
    • Canned Foods
      • Canned Food Products: Ingredients to Avoid
    • No Kibble!
    • Raw Feeding
      • Transitioning Your Cat to Raw
        • Keep these four things in mind as you transition your cat to raw.
        • Transition Guide: Making the switch to ground raw.
        • Getting-started tips for prey model raw (PMR) feeding.
        • Troubleshooting the Transition
        • Melamine to Frankenprey: A Documented Journey
      • Raw feeding your house-cat: What’s all the fuss about?
      • Raw Feeding Your Cat: Just the Basics.
      • ‘Dem Bones, ‘Dem Bones, ‘Dem… Scary Bones
      • Whole Bone Alternatives: When and How to Use Them in a Raw Fed Cat’s Diet
      • A Prey Model Raw (PMR) Feeding Primer
      • A Prey Model Raw (PMR) / Whole Prey Feeding Guide
      • Sourcing Products for Homemade Cat Food
      • Raw Feeding Success Stories
    • Dry Matter Basis (DMB) Conversion
    • How often should you feed your cat?
    • Cats, Carbs and Calories: An Obligate Carnivore’s Perspective
    • How much does it cost to feed my cat? or “I *can* afford to feed commercial raw!”
    • Probiotics for Cats: Why, which ones, and how to use them.
    • Reporting Pet Food Problems
  • Behavior
    • Maintaining whole-body health in the indoor cat.
    • Adopting a kitten? Why two are better than one!
    • Feral cats…how can I help?
    • Socializing a Feral Cat: It’s all about Trust
    • Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR): Effective, Affordable, Humane Community Cat Management
  • General Care
    • Feline Disease Information & Support Resources
    • Feline Dental and Oral Care
    • Vaccination Facts
    • Financial Assistance
    • Hairballs: Species-Appropriate Treatment
    • Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria, oh my!
    • Raw Feeding and Health-compromised (IBD, FIV+, etc.) Cats.
    • The Problems with Pepcid and Other Antacids (Part 1).
      • The Problems with Pepcid: Using diet to manage nausea in your cat.
      • The Problems with Pepcid: Healthy Supplements and Alternatives for Treating Nausea
    • How to Remove Cat Urine: Why an Enzyme Cleaner must be used.
  • Resource Center
    • Special Features
      • CatCentric on Facebook
      • CatCentric en Español!
        • Dieta cruda para gatos: Principios Básicos.
        • Dieta cruda, el miedo a los huesos!
    • One Page Guides
      • What’s Really The Best Cat Food?
      • Raw Feeding Pyramid Guide
      • Prey Model Raw (PMR) Cheat Sheet
      • Feline Prey Model / Whole Prey Raw Bone Guide
      • Prey Model Raw (PMR) Menu Example
      • Whole Prey Menu Example
    • Scientific Studies, Reports & Publications
    • Recommended Reading
    • Regulations and Policies
      • AVMA Anti-Raw Policy Response: Holistic Veterinarian – Dr. Jean Hofve
      • AVMA Anti-Raw Policy Response: Pet Food Manufacturer – Answers Pet Food
      • AVMA Anti-Raw Policy Response: Veterinarian – Dr. James Russell
  • About
    • Copyright Policy
    • Disclaimer & Affiliate Policy
    • Shop & Donate
    • Site Map
  • Consulting Services

Tag Archives: petting

Q&A: Why does my cat suddenly bite me for no reason?

CatCentric Posted on November 28, 2011 by Tracy DionNovember 9, 2015

There you sit, enjoying a quiet moment while gently petting your beloved feline when he suddenly, inexplicably, turns and sinks his teeth into your hand, or lashes out with his claws. Your quiet moment bursts like a soap bubble and now you’re angry and likely a little hurt. One minute your tabby’s perfectly content, the next, auditioning for Jackson Galaxy’s “My Cat From Hell” show. What happened?

This is a behavior called petting induced aggression, or overstimulation. Cats are not naturally close contact animals and, as odd as it may seem, pleasurable petting can actually become painful if engaged in for too long. While “too long” is different for every cat, careful observation will help you identify when your cat is reaching that point. Sudden or increased tail thumping or lashing is a good indication, as is skin twitching. Also watch for ears becoming tense and laying back, tiny head lunges or nips towards your hand, and a general overall increased restlessness. When you see these things, ease off the petting and just enjoy your cat’s presence without touching him for a while.

You can also work off some of your cat’s restlessness by handing him a stuffed animal to bite, lick and bunny kick, or by engaging him in a play session with a fishing-pole toy. “Da Bird” is one of the most universally liked versions on the market today and is almost guaranteed to get any cat off the couch. Given routine opportunities to engage in active hunting behaviors, your cat will be happier, calmer, and less apt to reach an overstimulated point.

Never smack, yell or otherwise reprimand your cat if you miss his signals and push him into biting or clawing. He does not understand why the stroking slips from pleasant to painful and he will not understand why you hurt him further when he was forced to stop the discomfort the only way left to him. Instead, immediately cease all petting, speak to him quietly and encouragingly and let him calm down at his own pace. Better yet, regularly study his body language, learn to recognize when he’s reaching his tolerance point, and stop long before he gets there. This will ensure your petting sessions remain pleasant for you both.

 


Share
Posted in Behavior, Question & Answer | Tagged aggression, behavior, biting, clawing, over-stimulation, petting | 114 Replies

Recent Posts

  • The FDA just betrayed our pets. Here’s what we need to do.
  • Today is CatCentric’s 7th Anniversary!
  • Dr. Karen Becker Interview: The Fresh Food That More and More Cat Behaviorists Recommend
  • “Ask the Expert: Feline Aggression” and “Truth About Cancer Documentary” Raffle!!

Categories

  • Behavior
  • Commercial Foods
  • General Care
  • Health Issues
  • Home-Prepared Foods
  • Miscellaneous
  • Nutrition
  • Precious Purrsonalities
  • Question & Answer
  • Random Facts
  • Regulations
  • Sunday Sound-Off

Archives

Easy Calculators!

Detailed Raw Feeding Calculator

Prey Model Feeding Calculator, Excel 2010 and Excel 97-2003

Freeze-Dried Percentage Calculator

Dry Matter Basis Calculator, Excel 2010 and Excel 97-2003

Input your email address to be notified of new posts!

Tweets by @CatCentric
CatCentric

CatCentric’s latest Youtube Video!

Home --- Site Map --- Disclaimer --- Copyright Policy
©2025 - CatCentric
↑