It can be frustrating when your beloved feline companion suddenly swats or strikes out at you as you walk by. You’re just minding your own business when – bam! – kitty attacks. What gives? Here’s an in-depth look at the reasons behind this aggravating behavior.
It’s Play Aggression
One of the most common reasons cats swat at their owners is due to play aggression. Essentially, kitty wants to play and is using your ankle or leg as a toy. Cats have a strong prey drive, so they enjoy stalking, pouncing, wrestling, and biting. From your cat’s perspective, a moving target like a human foot is ideal play prey.
This type of aggressive play is common in younger cats and kittens under 3 years old. But even senior cats can get feisty. The swats usually don’t break the skin and may be accompanied by other playful body language like dilated pupils, twitching tail, and mock biting.
Kitties often engage in this behavior when they are bored and have excess energy to burn. If your cat is swatting you aggressively during play, try increasing daily playtime sessions with feather teasers and wand toys. This allows kitty to indulge her prey drive while avoiding your ankles.
Overstimulation
Swatting or striking out can also occur when a cat becomes suddenly overstimulated. Petting or touching a sensitive spot may trigger this response. Cats have different sensitivities and tolerances for handling based on factors like genetics, early life experiences, and current environment.
For example, a cat may react negatively when you touch his belly, back, or base of the tail. Or petting certain areas for too long can overstimulate kitty. Watch your cat’s body language for signs of overstimulation like swishing tail, redirected aggression, skin rippling, and head turning toward your hand.
If you notice your cat gets overstimulated easily, limit where and how long you pet him. Also trim nails regularly to minimize scratches if he does swat. Let sleeping cats lie, and don’t disturb your kitty when he is resting.
Fear or Stress
Cats will also strike out defensively when they are frightened or feeling stressed. Some cats startle more easily than others, especially if they were undersocialized as kittens. Quick movements and loud noises may trigger a fearful reaction.
High-stress situations like visits to the veterinarian or introduction of a new pet can also cause defensive swatting. Cats generally prefer consistency and get upset by changes to their routine or environment.
Try to identify what specifically is causing your cat stress or fear. Avoiding those triggers can help minimize reactive swatting. Use calming pheromone diffusers and play relaxing music to ease anxiety. Build confidence with positive reinforcement training and affection on kitty’s terms.
Medical Causes
In some cases, medical issues like orthopedic pain and neurological conditions can cause cats to lash out from discomfort. Arthritis, previous injuries, and conditions like intervertebral disc disease could make kitty irritable and prone to swatting when handled near sore spots.
Cognitive decline associated with aging can also play a role. Older cats with dementia may react defensively when startled due to confusion. Underlying pain often exacerbates behavioral issues in senior pets.
Take your cat to the veterinarian for a thorough exam if you notice any other signs of illness along with swatting. Specialized imaging and bloodwork allow vets to diagnose medical conditions that may be contributing to aggression.
Redirected Aggression
Redirected aggression occurs when a cat is aroused or upset by one stimulus but then lashes out at another. For example, kitty sees an outdoor cat through the window and gets riled up. But instead of attacking the intruding feline, he swats at you as you walk by.
This type of aggression is common when cats are protecting resources like food or mates. The initial trigger may not be apparent to you, but kitty is still worked up. Try to identify stressors and use calming techniques to help your cat relax.
Dominance or Territorial Aggression
Swatting is also used as a communication tool in multi-cat households. One cat may swat another who gets too close to resources like the food bowl or favored resting spot. Or a cat may lash out at an owner approaching his claimed territory.
This behavior stems from the cat’s naturally territorial nature. Make sure each cat has their own dedicated areas and resources. Block access to swatting hot spots using baby gates. Increase vertical territory with cat trees and shelves.
What Not To Do
When your cat swats at you, it’s understandable to have the instinct to scold or punish him. But this is counterproductive and will not change the behavior. Cats do not understand cause and effect the same way humans do.
Yelling, hitting, squirting water, or other physical punishment will not teach your cat not to swat. It will only make kitty more stressed, anxious, and reactive. This can damage the bond of trust between you and your cat.
Punishing unwanted behavior is less effective than rewarding desired behavior. Use treats, playtime, and affection to positively reinforce friendly, gentle behavior. Set your cat up for success by identifying and minimizing swatting triggers.
When To Seek Help
In severe cases of aggression, or if you’re unable to pinpoint the cause, consult with your veterinarian about referral to a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. These specialized experts can diagnose the underlying motivation and help develop an effective behavior modification plan.
Prescription medications and synthetic feline pheromones may be recommended for anxiety or fear-related aggression. Last resort options like rehoming or euthanasia should only be considered for human-directed aggression that poses a significant safety risk.
Patience and environmental management are key to coexisting safely with an aggressive cat. While swatting is annoying, it’s a normal feline behavior not typically motivated by spite or revenge. Stay calm, do not punish, and work on identifying triggers to help prevent the behavior.
When To Worry
Most cases of cat swatting are not a major concern. Cats use swatting to communicate, not to intentionally harm. But seek immediate medical attention if:
- Swatting is accompanied by growling, hissing, or biting down hard enough to break skin
- You notice wounds, abscesses, or infection from scratches
- Swatting occurs suddenly in a previously friendly cat
- Cat seems to be in pain or has stopped using litter box
- There are changes in cat’s appetite, activity level, or other signs of illness
While not malicious, swatting can damage the relationship between cat and human. It’s best to seek help stopping the behavior before it becomes a fixed habit. With patience and care, you can maintain a positive bond with your feisty feline.
Conclusion
Cats swat their owners for a variety of reasons ranging from playfulness to pain. While annoying, it’s important not to punish kitty as this can make aggression worse. Identify triggers like fear, stress, or medical issues and use management techniques to prevent swatting situations. With time and positivity, you and kitty can get along without losing an eye.