Why the cat bites and scratches: possible causes and interesting facts

When a person gets a kitten, he hoped that in the future will find an intelligent, affectionate and gentle friend. But what is disappointment when of cute fluffy puppies grows up headstrong and aggressive creature, it is not amenable to education. When trying to pet or play with a pet on their extremities will certainly appear traces of the cat "foreplay" in the form of scratches and bites. Naturally, this “communication” brings no satisfaction and only gives rise to two logical questions: why the cat bites and what to do about it?

Feline instincts, character and habits

Cats, like people, are endowed with a wide range of emotions and feelings, which they readily show to the people. If you are attentive to your pet owner is not difficult to understand, the cat is angry or happy, trusts or treated with caution, love or hate. Your feelings, the animal passes through facial expressions, voice (purring, quiet, or loud meows, growls, hisses) or actions. Often, however, the behavior of the furry friends, there are strange moments that cause confusion. For example, why the cat bites and scratches when his stroke? He purrs and rubs against his hands, and, therefore, he was pleased, but painfully embedded in the skin, claws and teeth say otherwise.
Some owners even move around the apartment cautiously, each moment expecting the insidious attack their home “tyrant”. Again the question: why the cat throws herself at his feet and bites? This is a game he has this or he implements his hunting instincts?

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In fact, situations when the cat ‘domestic violence”, there are many, and in each case, this behavior has its reasons and explanations.

Aggression in the game

This form of cat aggression is usually observed in young, extremely mobile and playful cats. The reason for the attack may become the movement of the foot under the covers, a wave of the hand or just moving around the house in close proximity to the animal.

Possible causal factors as to why the cat bites and catches, maybe a few:

• Genetic predisposition. On the activity level of kittens can influence the genes of their parents, so they can be both hyperactive and calm in the strength of his character.
• Improper content. Increased physical activity and cats may exhibit when long left alone. Playing and attacking hosts, the animals make up for the lack of communication and emotion.
• Promotion of the owners. Often the owners themselves provoke the aggressive behavior of the Pets, teasing them, practicing rough play and subsequent physical punishment. With such manner of communication is not necessary then to wonder why the cat bites.
• Wrong education. Too loyal attitude to the antics of the cat leads to the fact that aggression becomes a feature of his character, so this problem must be fought from childhood.

Methods of re-education a pet

Wean too temperamental cat from aggressive behavior, but it must be done correctly and patiently. No punishment in this case can not do, but they in no case should not be brutal. In other words, to cause pain to an animal is categorically impossible, since this measure will only enrage it and make it more aggressive. For educational purposes you can spray the cat with water, loudly scold or scare with a loud sound, for example, a sharp clap their hands, whistle sound, horn, vacuum cleaner, etc.

Such measures should be resorted to whenever the cat begins “play”. Over time, the consciousness of the animal formed a persistent reflex: hurt owners – will be punished.

Aggression as a tool to influence the owners

If a pet is long out of adolescence and games it is not particularly interested in, then again the question arises: in adulthood, why the cat bites and scratches? The reasons may be that the animal has learned to use aggression as a behavioral tool or strategy to achieve their goals. For example, the cat "terrorized" of the owner as long as he does not feed or play with him.

This behavior is usually influenced by two main factors:

• First, the host, trying to cool the ardor of the aggressive game of cat distracting his attention with toys or treats. Over time, the animal begins to regard such methods of my own to get what you want, you have to physically affect its owner. That's why cat bites or uses claws.
• The Second factor is a consequence of the first. When the owner ceases to give way to the aggressive demands of your pet, he begins to understand that his methods are no longer valid and desirable the reward he no longer shines. This causes even more serious backlash. Thus, it becomes clear why cat bite. What to do with this, consider the following.

Measures aimed at changing behavioral strategiescat

First of all, when an animal begins to show the slightest signs of aggression, do not try to distract him with treats or his favorite toys. Make sure he has lost interest in you. For example, go to another room and close the door.

If the cat has managed to learn to manipulate you, try to re-educate. Ignoring the attacks of the animal is not necessary, as this can only trigger a new round of its aggression. Punish a pet by one of the above methods, but do not try to immediately soothe and caress, otherwise it will immediately repeat its attempts to achieve its goals.

Pathophysiological aggression

Another important reason why a cat bite, is the presence of any disease. Unhealthy animal becomes irritable and aggressive behavior is a defensive reaction. If the cat experiences pain, of course, brings him no pleasure when it is stroked or picked up, so he is protected, using claws and teeth.

Due to some diseases appear neurological disorders, which are subsequently very difficult or impossible to cure. Even if the animal has no visible signs of damage, but it is showing uncharacteristic aggression, the owners should this be regarded as a signal, and immediately show your pet to a specialist. The earlier the disease is detected and appropriate action taken, the more chance that the health of the cat will fully recover.

Idiopathic aggression

Unfortunately, there are cases when cats violently attacking the owners without any obvious reasons. If aggressive behavior does not fit into the above schema active aggression or protective reactions in pathophysiological disorders, it can be idiopathic aggression. Ascertain that the animal is suffering from this disorder, it is quite difficult, as explosive reaction can be caused by severe stress, a fright, a change of a setting and many other reasons.

If the motivation of such behavior cannot be determined, then the animals have to be euthanized, because the correction of these mental disorders can not be. However, this decision should be approached with maximum caution, because sudden and vicious attack can be something triggered, and the owners simply could not understand the reasons for the sudden aggression.