When most people adopt a kitten, they don’t usually think of it as having a tiny hunter prowling around the house. Typically the sentiment is much sweeter, more heartfelt, like look at that cute, furry kitten bouncing around on the sofa.
While kittens are undoubtedly adorable and cuddly, and you may have cuter questions such as, “why is my kitten sucking on my blanket?” and other adorable their wild side can come out from time to time. During play, cats often stalk, pounce, kick, and bite their playmate. More often than not, this behavior is innocuous. But if you notice flattened ears or puffed fur, you might have an angry kitty on your hands.
To create a calm and safe environment for all, it’s important to nip your cat’s behavior in the bud before tiny nibbles escalate to painful chomps.
Why Do Cats Scratch and Bite?
Wondering, “why is my kitten attacking me?” Knowing how to get a kitten to stop attacking you comes down to diagnosing why they’re acting that way in the first place.
Each situation is different, and there are various reasons why your cat may exhibit combative behavior. Often, aggression can stem from foreign or unfamiliar stimuli, like loud noises; old age; or lack of stimulation and play during the day.
It’s important to remember that cats are animals. And although some cats have been domesticated and turned into sweater-clad pets, they still have behavioral instincts from thousands of years of evolution in the wild.
That said, here are some of the most common reasons why you’re cat may be attacking you:
Fear
Have you ever heard of the phrase scaredy cat or fraidy cat? Cats can be extremely sensitive, and fear is a typical response, especially when they feel threatened. The threat may not be evident to us. Still, it can be anything from a strange or loud noise or an unfamiliar person to being forced outside of their comfort zone.
Redirected Aggression
This is as common in cats as in humans. Something bothers us, and then we take it out on someone close to us. Cats do this all the time. The initial aggression could be anything from seeing an animal through the window to hearing an unpleasant noise. If your cat can’t respond directly, they will often redirect the aggression toward the owner.
