Dealing With Cats That Bite and Scratch
You're walking down the hallway in your home, minding your own business, when suddenly your cat flings herself at your ankle, sinking in her teeth and claws, then dashes away. Is it an aggressive attack? An expression of jealousy? Possibly, but it might be neither.A cat who bites or scratches when in pain, frightened, or being forced to do something she doesn't want to do doesn't have a behavior problem; she's acting like a normal cat. Problem biting and scratching is usually either a learned habit or miscommunication, both of which can be corrected over time.
 ©2006 Publications International, Ltd. A cat that scratches spontaneously or without provocation could be the sign of a disorder or disease. |
Who taught her the trick? Many kittens learn to use human limbs as toys, climbers, and scratching posts. Many owners are surprised to learn that they are the ones who taught their young cats these bad habits.
Here are some rules to follow:
- Never allow or encourage a kitten or cat to play with your bare hand or foot.
- Never think you can get around the first rule by wearing protective gloves. There should always be some sort of appropriate cat toy between your limbs and your cat's teeth and claws. A tiny kitten may look cute climbing your pant leg or batting at your thumb, but you'll be singing a different tune when she repeats those behaviors as a full-grown cat.
First, make sure your cat has enough outlets for normal feline play. Just leaving some toys around isn't enough; cats need active and interactive play. So play with her. Get her running, jumping, and batting at toys. If she tries to grab at you during a play session, grab her gently by the scruff of the neck, firmly (but not too loudly) say "No," and immediately substitute a proper cat toy for her to play with.
Boredom during the day may encourage your cat to be overly exuberant in playing with you, too. If you have a single cat, consider getting her a feline friend.
A break from the routine. Once your cat has the habit of playing with you by biting and scratching, just changing the rules probably won't be enough to get her to stop. Try to notice when she's most likely to chomp your hand or swat your ankle, then deliberately set up one of those situations. Have a spray bottle or squirt gun full of room temperature water handy, and give her a spritz the moment she digs in with tooth or claw. Don't yell at her or pursue her with the water; you want her to associate the action with the inconvenience of suddenly getting wet.
Defensive biting and scratching. Teeth and nails are a cat's primary weapons. If other warnings don't work, cats will bite and scratch to protect themselves. Pay attention to your cat's vocal and body language; she'll usually let you know when she's on the brink of defensive biting or scratching.
You don't have to show a cat who's boss by forcing the issue once she's warned you. The best approach is to back off whatever it is she doesn't like or use a safe method of restraint, if it's something that must be done.
Likewise, look for warning signals when a cat is aggressive with other cats. If your cat is warning another cat that she's ready to bite or scratch, do not try to touch or restrain either of them. The cats have their attention focused on each other, and the "fight or flight" response is in full readiness. Your touch can actually trigger a fight. Instead, try to distract both cats by stamping your foot, clapping your hands, and shouting "No!" in a sharp, loud tone.
Unprovoked aggression. Sudden, unprovoked, and vicious attacks are especially scary. This is not just a cat swatting at your ankles and perhaps causing a little scratch or running your hose. This is send-someone-to-the-emergency-room kind of stuff.
Sometimes, serious biting and scratching is the result of miscommunication: Something startles the cat, and she has the impression that the person or pet nearest her is responsible. Other times, however, there really is something physically wrong with the cat that causes her to actually attack without cause or warning.
If your cat's bites and swats rarely break the skin, they're probably "inhibited" play bites and scratches. A cat who launches a serious attack (with multiple or deep bites, for example) should be carefully examined by a veterinarian.
When to Call the Vet
If your cat is launching serious attacks, especially without warning or provocation, get her in for a thorough veterinary exam as soon as possible. Cats often know when there's something going wrong with them but can't put it into words. The aggression might be a reaction to pain, a hormonal change, or the sign of a problem with her nervous system.
While cats are known for being finicky, that does mean you have to tolerate this behavior. Learn how to teach your cat to eat the food you put in front of her in the next section.
