Why does my cat scratch and bite me?
It’s not acceptable, healthy behaviour for a cat to scratch and bite you. Such behaviour may mean your cat feels bored, frustrated or distressed. It can also be inappropriate play behaviour. In some circumstances, it may mean your cat is in pain and needs a health problem investigated.
If scratching and biting are a problem in your house, read on to consider what could be the cause and find a solution.
Are they bored?
Does your cat’s environment provide enough stimulation? They could be bored and frustrated without enough opportunity to exercise their feline nature – cats need to simulate hunting, chasing and catching prey to feel content. They also need to scramble, adventure, and climb to high perching spots to fulfill their true cat selves.
Mimic the hunt when you play together
Use feathers on strings, ribbons or yarn. Shake it high and low, drag it across the floor, wriggle it, hide it – simulate the act of hunting prey.
Excite your cat with rustling or crunching sounds, zigzag toys back and forth, make them wait in suspense.
Reward your cat after the ‘hunt’. Schedule a play session just before a meal time so they fulfilled after the ‘chase’.
Make sure they have a comfy place to snooze after the hunt and the feed. This cycle will keep most cats stimulated and happy.
Let them scramble, climb and perch
Place a few obstacle courses and cat trees around the house where they like to hang out – near the family, not hidden away.
Set up a few high perches where then can sit and watch the world go by.
Are there enough cat resources around the house?
Cats need multiple areas around the house for food, water, toileting, scratching, play and sleep. There should be more than one of each of these resources and they should all be in separate places from each other.
If you have more than one cat, you need to provide enough resources for each cat to have more than one choice about where they eat, toilet, play and sleep. Cats need choices to thrive!
Has their environment suddenly changed?
Is your cat feeling unsettled by some disturbance to their comfy, calm home environment? An anxious cat may express themselves by biting and scratching.
Are you renovating, bringing noise, disruption and strangers to the house? Have you added another new pet to the family? Have you just had a baby or do you have guests staying?
If you can identify a change to your cat’s environment as the cause of aggressive, edgy behaviour, try to avoid the triggers or confine the cat to a more peaceful area of the house for the duration of the disruption.
If your cat is becoming severely stressed, talk to your vet about pheramones, supplements or medication that may assist your cat to adjust to the change that’s unsettling them.
Have they learned how to play properly?
It’s important that cats learn how to play well with their humans early, when they are kittens if possible. If you don’t invest this time, your cat may assume that predatory, full-scale scratching and biting are all part of play and it can be hard to reverse when they are older.
Teach your kitten to play well
From the outset, use toys, not hands or body parts, as bait for play.
Hold toys a distance from your body (such as feathers or a ball hanging from a long stick or string).
Stop play straight away and ignore any scratching and biting behaviours. Move away and take your attention elsewhere for 5-10 minutes.
Remember to always be calm and patient with kittens, as positive reinforcement is the best way for them to learn.
Provide consistent, positive human-cat social interaction
Make all your interaction with your cat positive, consistent and predictable. Punishing them is counterproductive and will only increase anxiety and tension for your cat.
The interaction should always be led by your cat. If the cat doesn’t want to be patted or picked up, don’t force it. Let the cat lead. Make sure your kids know this rule as well.
Think about smells in your home
Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell and they may not like the strong odours that humans like. Think incense, room deodorisers, essential oils, cigarette smoke and vinegar-based cleaners. Cats have a particular hate for scents like citrus, peppermint, eucalypt, lavender, banana and coffee!
If you find some strong scents in your home, it’s worth considering that they may be irritating your cat. Scents and pheromones are available that will help to calm your cat.
Book a check-up with your vet
If the aggressive biting and scratching continue after checking off the points above, it might be time for a check-up with your vet to rule out a medical problem. Pain or discomfort could be making your cat feel on edge and defensive. The vet will soon pick up on any health issues that could be affecting your cat’s behaviour.