Cats are generally peaceful animals, they do not like to bite or scratch and usually prefer to move away rather than resort to their natural weapons. Sometimes, however, it happens that the domestic cat turns against the owner by biting or scratching him. Aside from the pain, the wound can cause infections and for this reason it is best to learn both to prevent attacks from your cat and to react correctly when attacked.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: React the Right Way
Step 1. Stay calm
Never hit, chase the cat or yell at it. Do not lose your temper or you will frighten the animal making it even more nervous.
Never call a cat and then punish it. The cat would not understand the reason for the punishment. When called by the owner, the cat expects to be accepted positively
Step 2. Walk away
Stop touching the cat and keep your hands out of reach of its claws. If the animal does not calm down, get up slowly and walk away. Don't go back to him until he's calmed down.
Avoid petting your cat after it bites or scratches you. On the contrary, let him know he was wrong. After scolding him, don't cuddle him: you will confuse him by communicating mixed feelings and in the future he may attack you for some reward
Step 3. Give him an escape route
If you are passing from room to room and the cat stands in your way with an aggressive attitude, put yourself in his shoes. He probably sees you coming towards him and feels trapped, perceives you as a threat and has no escape, so he inevitably has to fight to defend himself. Take a step back, let him pass (he will probably run away) and continue on your way.
Don't feed him for 20 minutes after he attacks you or he might interpret it as a reward
Step 4. Try to understand why he is behaving aggressively
Cats respond better to positive reinforcement, that is, reward the animal when it behaves well and ignore it when it behaves badly.
Give him a fake mouse to nibble on, then praise him for biting the toy and not you
Step 5. Use your voice and body language
As soon as the cat starts biting or scratching, say "NO!" in an authoritarian tone. Point your finger at him and stare at him with an indifferent or ferocious look. Cats see looks as a way to assert their power.
After doing this, it can be helpful to walk away and ignore the cat for 10 minutes
Step 6. Clap your hands
When the cat bites or scratches, clap your hands and say a sharp "NO!". Do not scream and clap your hands in front of the muzzle, you would wave it unnecessarily. Use this method whenever your cat starts biting or scratching, it should learn to stop.
This method works with dominant or aggressive cats. Best not to use it with shy or anxious cats, you could accentuate this side of their character
Step 7. Try ignoring it
When the cat stops biting or scratching, get up immediately and leave carelessly. Make sure the cat is completely alone for 5-10 minutes. Repeat this process every time your cat bites or scratches. He will soon associate his aggressive behavior with being ignored.
This method doesn't work with all cats. It is particularly suitable for those affectionate, who miss the owner, and for kittens, who do not yet know how to behave properly
Part 2 of 3: Preventing Possible Attacks
Step 1. Teach your kitty not to overdo it when she plays
When he scratches you, make a small squeal (without screaming) and retract your hand, then stand up and walk away to let him know that the game is over. By behaving like this, the kitten will understand that scratching is the same as ending the game.
If the cat nibbles you affectionately, withdraw slowly. This will make him uncomfortable and make him stop. Pulling back while the cat is playing only serves to make him more relentless
Step 2. Give them games to play with rather than using your hands and fingers
When a cat is into the game, it can easily forget "good manners" and start scratching, or it can continue playing when the game is supposed to be over and attack you by surprise. To avoid this, have him play with a fake mouse, a toy fishing rod, or a laser pointer.
Cats need to bite, scratch and chew, both for fun and out of necessity. This must not be to the detriment of the people. Have your cat play with a toy fishing rod so your hands are safe
Step 3. Have your cat play often
Have him play several times throughout the day. Game sessions should last from 5 to 10 minutes. Use a toy fishing rod and keep playing with him until he is tired.
The aim will be to stimulate him mentally and physically tire him. A tired cat will be much less aggressive than a bored and energetic one that will have to vent in some way
Step 4. Consider the idea of sterilizing it
Non-neutered cats tend to be more territorial than neutered ones, but a non-neutered cat may not necessarily be aggressive. Sterilizing a cat has a calming effect on the animal and tends to make it more sociable and affectionate.
Step 5. Learn to recognize the signs that herald an impending attack
If your cat has dilated pupils, stops purring or bristles, it's probably ready to attack. The cat may make a guttural sound, a moan like a howl, or hiss. It could bring the ears back and flatten them on the head. His whiskers could be pricked up and he could lift the corners of his mouth and open it slightly as he blows.
- Generally a playing cat has enlarged pupils because he is excited. Keep this in mind when holding your cat. Under such circumstances, he should neither have enlarged pupils nor show any other signs of arousal.
- When a cat is cornered, it snuggles up and looks anxiously from side to side in search of an escape route.
Part 3 of 3: Trying to Understand Why a Cat Bites or Scratches
Step 1. Find out if the cat was separated from its mother at birth or if it was adopted after being orphaned
Cats raised in solitude have not experienced the company of other kittens, so they have not learned to moderate in play. In adulthood, these cats tend to make sudden attacks for no apparent reason.
When aggressive, these cats tell those around them to step aside before attacking. Learning to interpret these signs can avoid accidents
Step 2. Find out if the cat is nervous or anxious
If no escape is offered, a nervous cat can become aggressive. The cat may be unnerved by an annoying child, by any changes in the surrounding environment or by the presence of strangers. It is important to know your cat's temperament and to know what their reactions may be. Before defining a cat as "aggressive" it should be understood that it is simply reacting to a stressful situation.
The best thing to do is to restore calm and restore a peaceful atmosphere. Turn down the volume of the TV if it is too high, ask the children to stay calm when they are near the cat (if you really can't keep them quiet, tell them to go scream away from the animal)
Step 3. Find out if the cat is overly playful
If during the game you urge him to attack by moving your hands, fingers or feet, don't be surprised if he then lashes out at you when the game is over. The cat may assume that the game is not over at all.
Step 4. Find out if the cat is sick or has physical problems
A sick cat feels vulnerable and may attack to defend itself. Cats exhibit disease and pain in a variety of ways (weight loss, excessive thirst, vomiting, bad mood, prolonged meowing and aggression). In these cases it is best to contact a veterinarian. Once the problem is resolved, the cat's behavior should improve.
When a cat becomes older, it may not like contact with people. If he is bothered, he may bite or scratch. If you have an older cat, ask your family members to be kind to him and always take his age into consideration. Giving him his space should be enough to keep him calm
Advice
- Teach children how to hold and pet cats. This way you will avoid a lot of problems.
- If your cat continues to bite or scratch, touch the top of his nose with your finger. Do it gently but firmly. It won't hurt him, he'll just be annoyed.
- Implementing this advice can be highly risky. Evaluate the situation well before doing it. When the cat throws himself into the attack, grab him by the scruff (the procedure is easier with long-haired cats) and make him lower his head. Say "NO!" authoritarian, without screaming. This is not a violent method and you shouldn't hurt him. Keep it stuck for just a moment. He's likely to start wriggling, so let him go before he uses his fingernails. The important thing is that the cat understands that you don't like his behavior. If the animal remains motionless, let it go after a couple of seconds. You will have to seem fair and steadfast.
- There are many other methods to dissuade a cat from attacking. Some of them include the use of water or noise. Often these methods turn out to be not only useless, but harmful. Spraying it with water could scare the cat for the first time but, in the long run, it could push the animal to keep away from you. If this is what you want (if he stays away from you, he certainly can't scratch you), the method works, but if you want an animal that is truly "companion", this is not the best way to interact with him.
Warnings
- If your cat reacts negatively to any of these approaches, stop using it immediately.
- Cat bites often cause infections. See a doctor if you feel it is necessary.
- If your cat isn't used to biting and suddenly starts biting, take him to the vet for a checkup. He may have contracted an illness and need medical attention.
- If there are children in the house, recommend that they treat the cat properly. They will not have to pull its tail, hit it, torment it or spray it with water (unless strictly necessary).
