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

When a person gets a kitten, he hopes that in the future he will find an intelligent, affectionate and affectionate friend. What is the disillusionment when a cute and aggressive creature grows out of a cute fluffy lump, completely incapable of education. When the owners try to pat or play with a pet on their limbs, there are certainly traces of feline "caresses" in the form of scratches and bites. Naturally, this "communication" does not bring any satisfaction and only gives rise to two quite logical questions: why does the cat bite, and what to do about it?

Cat instincts, nature and habits

Kotov, like people, nature has awarded a wide range of emotions and feelings, which they readily demonstrate to people. If you take a close look at your pet, the owner is not at all difficult to understand if the cat is angry or rejoices, trusts or treats cautiously, loves or hates. The animal transmits its feelings with the help of facial expressions, voices (purrs, quietly or loudly meows, growls, hisses) or actions. However, quite often in the behavior of fluffy friends there are also confusing moments that cause bewilderment. For example, why does the cat bite and scratch when you iron it? After all, he purrs and rubs his hands, and, therefore, he is pleased, but his claws and teeth, painfully stuck in his skin, speak of the opposite.
Some owners even move about the apartment with caution, every moment waiting for the insidious attack of their home "tyrant". Again the question: why does the cat rushes to its feet and bites? Is he playing this game or is he realizing his hunting instincts?

In fact, when there is feline "domestic violence", there are many, and in each case, this behavior has its own reasons and explanations.

Aggression in the game

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

Possible causal factors, why the cat bites and rushes, can be several:

• Hereditary predisposition. The level of activity of kittens can be influenced by the genes of their parents, so they can be both hyperactive and quiet because of their nature.
• Improper content. Increased physical and game activity of cats can show when they are left alone for a long time. Playing and attacking the hosts, the animals make up for the lack of communication and emotion.
• Encouraging owners. Often, the owners themselves provoke the aggressive behavior of domestic pets, teasing them, practicing rough games and the subsequent physical punishment. With a similar manner of communication, then you should not ask why the cat bites.
• Wrong education. Too loyal to the cat's pranks leads to the fact that aggression becomes a feature of his character, so this problem must be combated from childhood.

Methods of re-education of a pet

To temper a temperamental cat from aggressive behavior is possible, but it must be done correctly and patiently. Without punishment in this case can not do, but they should in no case be cruel. In other words, it is strictly forbidden to cause pain to an animal. This measure will only embitter him and make him more aggressive. For educational purposes, you can sprinkle a cat with water, loudly scold or frighten with a loud sound, for example, a sharp clapping of hands, the sound of a whistle, a whistle, a vacuum cleaner, etc.

To such events should be resorted to every time the cat starts to "flirt". Over time, a strong reflex will form in the animal's mind: I will offend the owners - I will be punished.

Aggression as an instrument of influence on the hosts

If a domestic pet has left adolescence and has not been particularly interested in games, then again the question arises: in adulthood, why does the cat bite and scratch? The reasons may be that the animal has learned to use aggression as a kind of tool or a behavioral strategy to achieve its goals. For example, a cat "terrorizes" the owner until the person feeds him or plays with him.

This behavior, as a rule, is formed under the influence of two main factors:

• First, the owner, trying to cool the aggressive fervor of the cat, distracts his attention with the help of a toy or a treat. Over time, the animal begins to regard such methods in its own way: in order to obtain the desired, one must physically influence its owner. That's why a cat bites or uses claws.
• The second factor is a consequence of the first. When the owner ceases to yield to the aggressive demands of his pet, he begins to understand that his methods no longer work and the desired reward is no longer shining. This causes an even more serious negative reaction. Thus, it becomes clear why the cat bites. What to do with this, consider below.

Measures to change the behavioral strategy of the cat

First of all, when the animal begins to show even the slightest signs of aggression, do not try to distract it with the help of delicacies or his favorite toys. Do everything to make him lose interest in you. For example, go to another room and close the door.

If the cat has already learned how to manipulate you, try to re-educate it. Ignore the attacks of the animal is not worth it, as this can only provoke a new round of his aggression. Punish your pet by one of the above methods, but do not take it into his head to console and caress him immediately, otherwise he will immediately repeat his attempts to achieve what he wants.

Pathophysiological aggression

Another important reason why a cat bites is the presence of any disease. An unhealthy animal becomes irritable, and aggressive behavior is a protective reaction. If the cat experiences painful sensations, naturally, it does not bring pleasure to it, when it is stroked or taken in hands, that is why it protects by using claws and teeth.

Due to some diseases, neurological disorders occur, which are then very difficult or impossible to cure. Even if the animal has no visible signs of damage, but it exhibits unusual aggression to it, the hosts should regard it as a signal SOS, and immediately show their pet to a specialist. The earlier the disease is detected and the appropriate measures are taken, the greater the chances that the cat's health will fully recover.

Idiopathic aggression

Unfortunately, there are cases when cats aggressively attack the owners without any obvious reasons. If aggressive behavior does not fit into the above schemes of active aggression or a protective reaction in pathophysiological disorders, it can be idiopathic aggression. It is quite difficult to establish precisely that an animal suffers from this particular pathology, since an explosive reaction can be caused by a strong stress, a fright, a change in the habitual situation, and many other reasons.

If the motivation for such behavior can not be determined, then the animals must be put to sleep, because such mental disorders can not be corrected. However, such a decision should be approached with the utmost caution. Sudden and malicious attacks can still be something provoked, and the owners simply could not understand the reasons for the unexpected aggression.