- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
While cats may seem graceful and dignified more often than not, they still do plenty of funny things—including swatting or bopping each other on the head. Cats slap each other (and people) for a few reasons, but they don’t always do it to start a fight!
“Swatting behavior can be a normal behavior associated with play, dominance, communication, or stress,” says Dr. Tracey Deiss, medical lead in feline pain and anxiety at Zoetis. “Swatting can also be associated with medical or behavioral conditions.”
Is your cat’s slap-happy behavior a show of catitude or something to bring up with your vet? The context matters!
Here’s how to tell whether your cats are slapping each other in play, aggression, or for some other reason, plus what to do about it.
7 Reasons Cats Slap Each Other (Or You)
It can be tricky to tell the difference between normal and abnormal swatting behaviors, according to Dr. Deiss. This often depends on understanding the cat’s usual behavior.
Much like scratching and using a litter box, smacking and swatting behaviors stem from natural feline instincts.
Here are seven reasons cats might slap each other or the people they live with.
1. They’re playing
“Swatting is integral to play and hunting activities,” says Shani Campbell, Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist and founder of Wild At Heart Cat Behavior Solutions. “It allows them to practice their predatory skills.”
If your cat loves playing with wand toys and feather teasers, you’ve probably seen firsthand how they unleash swats on inanimate prey. But some cats will also turn their paws on other cats in the house.
“I have a cat who primarily plays with other cats by slapping them in the head. It’s probably not the most appropriate form of play, but my other cats don’t seem to mind it and will often slap him back,” says Laura Cassiday, Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, Fear Free Certified Professional Trainer, and founder of Pawsitive Vibes Cat Behavior & Training.
Unlike aggression, true play is often quiet and has a lot of breaks and pauses, Cassiday says. Cats playing will also take turns slapping each other and chasing. Most importantly, they won’t bite, have their claws out, or draw blood.
2. They feel defensive or threatened
Cats who feel threatened may swat each other as a defensive response to create a distance between themselves and the perceived threat, Campbell says.
Cats have subtle body language cues that can be easy to miss, so it might seem like they’re suddenly slapping each other out of nowhere.
But Campbell says cats who feel threatened usually show other defensive body language before swatting. These signs might include dilated pupils, tail flicking, body tension, and flattened ears.
If you notice these signals, try giving your cat space by removing yourself or the other cat from the area. This may help keep them from escalating to claws-out, harmful swatting.
3. They’re curious
Naturally curious creatures, cats use their paws as one way to investigate the world around them. Curiosity-driven swatting or slapping behavior is an extension of play. Some cats take this exploratory approach with food or treats, household objects, and children’s toys.
“You might also see this kind of behavior in cats who have caught prey like a bug or mouse and are playing with it before they kill it or eat it,” Cassiday says.
Look out for body language cues that suggest curiosity, like a hooked tail, whiskers sticking out, and perked ears.
If your cat is slapping and swatting because they’re curious, take note of what objects interest them. You may need to cat-proof your home or redirect them so they don’t knock things over and accidentally hurt themselves, other pets, or people.
4. They’re expressing inter-cat aggression
“Body language between play and fighting can often look very similar to the untrained eye,” Cassiday says. “Pay attention to the cat being slapped. If they’re hissing, growling, or trying to get away, they’re not receiving it well.”
If the slapping cat listens to those cues and backs off, they were most likely play fighting too hard and the other cat had enough. However, if the slapping cat ignores the protests from the other cat or becomes more aggressive, you’ll want to step in to prevent an actual cat fight.
In a multi-cat household inter-cat aggression in homes with multiple cats can happen due to:
- A lack of essential resources, like food and water bowls, litter boxes, and sleeping areas
- Rushed or failed introductions when adding new cats
- Not enough enrichment or stimulation for everyone
Until you address the problem, your cats will probably keep slapping each other. They may also start showing other signs of aggression.
5. They’re sick or in pain
“Swatting in a cat that does not have a history of swatting can happen as a sign of illness or pain, according to Dr. Deiss.
Cats tend to mask their pain and sickness, so small behavioral changes like abruptly lashing out and slapping other cats or people might be the first sign of something wrong. It’s especially important to pay attention to these behaviors if nothing has changed in the household or their routines.
Chronic pain in cats like osteoarthritis (OA) and degenerative joint disease (DJD) are two major culprits for sudden aggressive behavior in cats like swatting, Dr. Deiss says. Other signs of OA and DJD include:
- Changes in mobility like an inability to jump
- Difficulty with stairs
- Slower movement
“Arthritis and arthritis pain doesn’t just affect older cats. Even cats as young as 2 can be affected. Knowing a cat’s normal is vital to early detection,” Dr. Deiss says.
6. They’re communicating and setting boundaries
While there’s a growing awareness that cats feel a range of emotions, many people still forget that they have their own agency.
Cats are small and easy to snatch up, pet, and cuddle. But that doesn’t mean you have an open invitation to do those things without acknowledging how they feel!
After all, cats aren’t plushies or toys, after all, and they have the right to choose the interactions they want and show you their feelings through their behavior.
“Cats use swatting to set boundaries with other animals and humans and signal discomfort or a desire to stop an interaction, especially when their previous cues have been ignored,” Campbell says.
Consent in the human-cat relationship is an essential step in showing your love and maintaining their trust and respect. It’s also part of your responsibilities as a pet parent, just like feeding them nutritious food and cleaning the litter box.
You can avoid swatting by respecting your cat’s boundaries, which involves having awareness of their:
- Body language
- Preferences for physical contact
- Energy levels
- Play style
- Social needs
7. They’re Overstimulated, Anxious, or Stressed
“Increased swatting behavior can be a sign of increased fear, anxiety, stress, and overstimulation,” Dr. Deiss says.
Overstimulation, or sensory overload, may cause some cats to lash out by slapping or biting. Some cats in particular have a lower threshold for physical touch
In particular, some cats have a lower threshold for physical touch, often due to sensitive nerve receptors on their skin. If you pet them without paying attention to their body language cues, you might get a warning slap or two.
Dr. Deiss says it’s also important to keep your cat’s environment in mind. A calm and secure environment is one of the best ways to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress.
You can help your cat feel calm and secure by sticking to reliable routines and making sure you have enough resources for all cats. These steps reduce competition and create safe zones in your home where cats can retreat to escape stressors.
You’ll also want to make sure all of your cats have enough enrichment, like toys, climbing spaces, and activities. Environmental enrichment opportunities help cats express their natural instincts.
“Cats need a retreat that includes vertical options, like shelves or cat trees, to climb and feel secure,” Dr. Deiss says.
When Is Cat Slapping Aggressive?
“Determining whether cats are playing or fighting can be challenging for many cat guardians, as the line between the two can be subtle,” Campbell says.
So how can you tell if your cat is slapping other cats in the house because they want to play—or fight?
Campbell recommends paying attention to the noise levels. “True fighting is often accompanied by growling, hissing, yowling, and other loud vocalizations.”
The pacing and rhythm of the interaction can also offer some clues.
“In play, cats alternate between action and inaction. One chases, then they pause and switch roles. Play tends to be more balanced and rhythmic,” Campbell says.
How To Help Your Cats De-escalate
If you’re concerned about cat slapping behavior, you have a few options.
You can start by prevention, according to Campbell and Cassiday. Focus on proactive strategies to avoid escalation, like more playtime that gives cats outlets for their hunting instincts.
“Daily interactive play sessions using wand toys can help redirect energy and prevent conflicts more effectively than frequent human interference,” Campbell says.
Changes in your home can also help reduce conflict between cats and build a strong foundation for peaceful coexistence.
Ideas to try include:
- Feline pheromone diffusers
- More essential resources, like litter boxes and eating stations
- Quiet, private spaces
- Access to high spaces and elevated areas
- Enrichment like scratching posts
“By addressing these core areas, guardians can foster a more peaceful multi-cat household and avoid reinforcement of unwanted behaviors,” Campbell says.
If cat slapping behavior is already a problem, you can try interrupting in a positive way. Try calling your cat’s name or grabbing a favorite toy to distract them. This directs their attention away from the conflict and toward a more appropriate activity. You’re also rewarding the cat for disengaging, not for slapping and fighting.
In some cases, you may need to separate the cats, Dr. Deiss says. Make sure each cat has a safe zone where they can retreat, and avoid physical punishment or “startle” techniques like loud noise devices or spray bottles.
When to ask a vet about cat slapping
“Any change in a cat’s behavior, including swatting, can be a sign of a more complex underlying condition,” Dr. Deiss says. “It’s never wrong to consult a vet or behaviorist from the get-go.”
Dr. Deiss says to pay particular attention to these signs:
- Persistent aggression
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Signs of pain and discomfort, like changes in mobility
- Changes in appetite
- Unusual litter box habits
- Atypical interactions with people and other pets in the home
- Shifts in activity level and energy
- Hiding
- Injuries on other pets or humans
Your vet or behaviorist can help find a diagnosis and recommend helpful treatment approaches.
