Owners often can't understand why their cat bites when they're petted. There are several reasons for this behavior.
Main reasons
This type of reaction may occur due to the following reasons:
- Problems with socialization. Typically, cats exposed to humans from an early age (before 7 weeks) are more affectionate. Animals that have had little contact with people early in their lives tend to be more aggressive. However, there are often exceptions to this rule.
- Excess of affection. A pet may bite when it simply gets tired of being petted obsessively. This is a signal to its owner that it needs to stop.
- Pain. The area being petted may be particularly sensitive. The unpleasant sensations it causes can cause the animal to become aggressive.
- Instinct. Cats often fall asleep or doze off while being petted. If they awaken abruptly, they'll be temporarily disoriented and may mistake the touch for an attack.
- The desire to dominate. The pet gives the owner a signal indicating its desire to dominate and decide whether petting is permissible at a particular moment.
How to wean
The problem can be solved in the following ways:
- Visit the veterinarian. The aggression may be caused by a medical condition. Pain intensifies during contact with the owner, which triggers the reaction.
- Observe behavior. It's a good idea to try to master your cat's body language and learn to recognize its signals. This will allow you to accurately determine when your pet is in the mood for affection and when it prefers privacy.
- Accept the character. Often, felines simply don't feel the need for physical contact with people; petting them irritates them. In such a situation, the only option is to adopt the cat's position.
Therefore, an aggressive reaction may be caused by your pet's illness or personality traits. It's recommended to observe your cat's behavior and visit a veterinarian.
