- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Cats are hunters—that’s a fact. Stalking, pouncing, biting, and even bunny kicking are normal ways cats interact with their world, exercising their brains and bodies and releasing pent-up energy. However, when you become the target of the attack, it’s understandable to feel a mix of surprise, uncertainty, and perhaps frustration as your companion goes from cuddly to aggressive.
Why do cats attack out of nowhere? Boredom and fear are two common culprits, says Joey Lusvardi, certified cat behaviorist and owner of Class Act Cats, a Minneapolis-based cat behavior consulting and training service. “The best thing you can do is to have regular interactive play sessions with your cat,” he says, adding that discipline tactics, such as spraying your cat with water, only increase unwanted behaviors.
Here’s what to do when your cat attacks you and how to tell the difference between normal play and something more sinister.
Is My Cat Playing or Aggressive?
Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between cats playing or aggression. While play tends to be fairly quiet, your cat is most likely attacking out of fear or overstimulation if they exhibit any of these behaviors:
- Aggressive vocalizations, such as hissing, growling, or spitting
- An arched back, typically with raised hair
- Ears pinned back
- Dilated pupils
- Tense body position with legs or tail tucked
Is Attacking In A Cat’s Nature?
Since cats are predators, Lusvardi says hunting is completely normal. When cats don’t have proper outlets for their predatory nature, their hunting behaviors, such as attacking, can be directed toward humans or other pets.
All cats are natural-born hunters, but cat breeds that are a mix of domestic and wild cats, such as Savannah and Bengal cats, tend to have a higher prey drive than other cat breeds. That said, even the friendliest cat breeds will attack when not offered ample play and stimulation.
Lastly, kittens are more likely to lunge and bite than adults since they’re still figuring out the world and who you are. With proper enrichment, kitten toys, and positive reinforcement, kittens’ natural urge to attack you should diminish by adulthood.
How to teach a kitten not to bite or attack
If your cat or kitten ambushes you, your first reaction is likely to direct your attention to your cat and potentially pick them up. That’s exactly what your cat wants, says Samantha Bell, cat enrichment expert at Best Friends Animal Society.
“Most cats see attention as a reward,” she says. Instead, silently create a visual barrier between you and the kitten. Then, redirect the ambushing kitten’s attention to something acceptable to attack, like a catnip kicker or an interactive wand toy. Reward your cat for their hunting success with a treat, reinforcing the desired behavior and helping them to understand that this is the appropriate way to express their predatory instincts.
Finally, Bell adds that many shelters and rescues encourage adopting two kittens rather than one for these crucial socialization skills. They can bite and attack each other to their heart’s content, she says.
Is Your Cat Attacking You Because They’re Bored?
While outdoor cats have ample opportunities to satisfy their hunting instincts, indoor cats and their pet parents have to get creative. Cat trees, perches, scratching posts, window perches, and shelves are all great additions to a cat-friendly home that allow them to explore their three-dimensional worlds. Regular interactive play sessions are crucial for their overall well-being, too.
“People often underestimate how much stimulation cats need and how important regular interactive play sessions are for cats,” Lusvardi says. Aim for at least 30 minutes of interactive play a day broken into two or three play sessions.
In addition to unprovoked attacks, other signs your cat is bored may include:
- Excessive meowing
- Overgrooming
- Bullying other household cats
- Scratching the furniture
- Sleeping more often
- Overeating
How to reduce boredom-induced attacks in cats
Generally, Lusvardi says the best way to stop your cat from attacking you is to engage in interactive play daily. Interactive play involves engaging with your cat in games that encourage them to chase, pounce, and stalk, mimicking their natural hunting instincts. It provides physical and mental exercise, reduces boredom, and strengthens your bond.
“Move a wand toy in a way that is similar to something a cat would hunt,” he explains. “Vary the movement so it gets the cat’s attention and always move left to right or away from the cat since cats have terrible near vision.” With all the options of wand toys and attachments out there, your cat can be on the prowl for a bird, snake, mouse, or bug.
If you’re tied up with work all day, provide your cat with an electric, motion-activated toy or food puzzle. Foraging for treats around the house can be just as fun and tasty as real-deal hunting. You can also hire a cat sitter to come and give them the playtime they need.
Is Your Cat Attacking You Because They’re Scared?
Cats aren’t just fierce hunters; they’re also prey animals, and their instincts are to bite, attack, or hiss when they feel threatened. Bell explains that kittens and cats who don’t trust humans may perceive them as potential threats. Cats can also be startled by sounds, movements, feeling trapped, or seeing unfamiliar objects (as we’ve seen in viral cucumber videos).
How to reduce fear-based aggression in cats
Don’t punish your cat for fear-based aggression, such as spraying them with water. Oftentimes, Lusvardi says this punishment has the opposite effect and makes your cat scared and more likely to be aggressive.
Instead, help your cat feel more secure at home by providing safe spaces for them to perch and hide, such as cat towers and cozy cubbies. Remove any sources of anxiety by closing the blinds or gradually desensitize your cat to common objects and sounds.
Additional strategies to reduce anxiety in cats include:
- Socializing your cat
- Using calming pheromones
- Establishing a routine
- Speaking in a soothing voice
- Playing music for cats
- Providing ample litter boxes in appropriate places
- Creating separate feeding areas in multi-cat households
- Playing with your cat often
- Respecting their boundaries
Is Your Cat Attacking You Because They’re Overstimulated?
Overstimulation or petting reactivity is common in cats. Like us, cats can experience a sensory overload from too much excitement or stimuli. Cats can become overstimulated on a dime and react aggressively from too much petting, play, or noise.
When cats are reaching their limit, they’ll likely communicate through body language cues such as outward-turned ears, tail flicking, skin rippling, and quick head turns. When overlooked, these subtle signs can quickly turn into an attack.
How to reduce overstimulation-induced attacks in cats
The level of stimulation that triggers overstimulation varies from cat to cat. Adult cats may be more susceptible than kittens, and some cats have lower thresholds regardless of age. Cats with anxiety or those with medical conditions causing tactile sensitivity may be more prone to overstimulation.
To prevent overstimulation, allow your cat to initiate interactions and do your best to learn their body language cues. For instance, pet your cat a few times, then remove your hand and wait for them to indicate they want you to continue. If they walk away or avoid your hand, they’ve had enough pets for now. Cats also benefit from having a safe, quiet room to retreat to when the household is bustling or noisy.
Is Your Cat Attacking You Because They’re Frustrated?
Attacking due to frustration—also called redirected aggression—happens when a cat can’t reach the source of their fear or stress, Lusvardi explains. It’s similar to a human who takes out their feelings on someone else, with cats physically taking their feelings out on a nearby human, cat, or other pet.
How to prevent and mitigate redirected aggression
Eliminating the source of frustration isn’t always feasible, but providing your cat with appropriate outlets (scratching surfaces, kicker toys, and play mice) can help minimize unwanted attacks. If the source of frustration can be prevented, such as the sight of an outdoor cat, reduce your cat’s exposure by closing blinds and using pheromone diffusers to create a calming environment.
If your cat is aggressive due to frustration, don’t escalate the situation by yelling, moving abruptly, or punishing them. Instead, Lusvardi recommends separating yourself, other humans, and other pets from the cat to let them calm down.
Is Your Cat Attacking You Because They’re In Pain or Injured?
If aggression or irritability—including hissing, swatting, and biting—are new behaviors, see your veterinarian to rule out any medical causes. In fact, Lusvardi says, seeing your veterinarian is always the first place to start when you notice any sudden behavioral changes in your cat.
The signs of pain, distress, or illness in cats can be subtle. Here are common signs of pain or illness in cats to look out for:
- A change in sleeping habits, either sleeping more or sleeping less
- Overgrooming
- Change in appetite
- Defecating outside of the litter box
- Urinating outside of the litter box
- Difficulty or inability to stand
- Decrease in mobility
- Glazed expression
- Dilated pupils
- Purring when not socially engaging, playing, or eating
- Panting or open-mouth breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Lack of grooming distinguished by a dull, matted, or oily coat
- Excessive meowing, yowling, or caterwauling
Is My Cat Attacking Me Because She Had Kittens?
Maternal aggression is a protective behavior meant to protect newborn kittens. It can be directed towards humans, other animals, or other cats that pose a perceived threat to the litter, typically within the first three to four weeks after birth when kittens are most vulnerable.
To minimize the risk of cat attacks, socialize the queen (mama cat) when pregnant with the people she’ll be around postpartum. Before and after giving birth, provide her with resources separate from any other cats in the household, including a dedicated litter box, water dishes, and food bowls.
Creating a designated, protected space for the queen and her kittens postpartum will also help her feel secure. This could entail dedicating a separate room to the queen and her litter, installing a baby gate, or providing a playpen for the kittens. Do your best not to interrupt the mom’s care; she has everything under control during these first few weeks.
The Bottom Line
Cats who attack you and other pets aren’t bad or malicious. They’re simply being cats and need proper outlets to express their inner hunter; additionally, they may be acting out of fear, frustration, or a medical condition. If your cat has a sudden change in personality or attacks you seemingly out of nowhere, contact your veterinarian to rule out any medical concerns.
“Even if there isn’t a medical cause, your vet may have some suggestions on what to do or can refer you to a qualified professional who may be able to help,” Lusvardi says.