How To Wean A Cat From Biting Or Scratching: Causes Of Aggression, What To Do If An Animal Attacks, Recommendations On Upbringing Methods

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Aggressive cat: how to wean your pet from biting and scratching

The popularity of cats as pets is gaining momentum every year. A large number of breeds satisfy all the ambitions of the owners. But behind all this, do not forget about the main thing. A cat is a personality. With their own character, habits, principles. And the pet's disposition does not always coincide with the wishes of the newly-made owners. How to cope with the aggressive nature of the cat, how to prevent possible communication difficulties?

Content

• 1 Causes of cat aggression

  • 1.1 Fright or fear
  • 1.2 Deficiency of activity
  • 1.3 Pain sensations
  • 1.4 Game
  • 1.5 Lack of personal space
  • 1.6 Lack of parenting
  • 1.7 Maternal instinct
  • 1.8 Other animal
  • 1.9 Video: the reasons for the aggressive behavior of the cat

• 2 How to stop a cat from scratching and biting

  • 2.1 Variety of games
  • 2.2 Ignoring
  • 2.3 Redirecting aggression
  • 2.4 Make a friend
  • 2.5 Other
  • 2.6 Video: how to wean a cat from biting
• 3 Common mistakes in raising pets, as a result of which adult animals scratch and bite
• 4 Owner reviews

Causes of cat aggression

Spontaneous aggression occurs only in humans. In animals, it is always justified, even if this animal does not have high intelligence. Not a single representative of the fauna will attack just like that. There are always good reasons for this.

Fright or fear

One of the most important reasons for aggression is fear or fear. Fright is a short-term manifestation of negative emotions. After assessing the situation, the animal can easily calm down and it does not come to serious action.

A frightened cat looks aggressive, but after assessing the situation, the animal can easily calm down

Fear, on the other hand, is deeply rooted in certain situations. For example, a family member was cruel to a cat. In this case, the aggression of the animal will not always be directed at the object of irritation. The likelihood that a cat will take out anger on a weaker family member (a child, for example) is high.

Deficiency of activity

If the animal is strong, healthy, active, but at the same time forced to sit in a cage, then the realization of instincts and needs will not keep itself waiting. A cell can be a rather arbitrary concept. The lack of activity is due to inactivity, and the lack of games and entertainment, and being in a small room.

Pain sensations

A loved one can have a soft, calm character. He can allow himself to be swaddled, take an active part in children's games, be an astronaut and a truck driver. But only until he is accidentally injured, unintentional pain is inflicted. Claws and teeth instantly go into action. The owner who accidentally steps on the tail can immediately learn a good lesson in mindfulness.

During the game, the child can accidentally hurt the cat, the animal's response in this case cannot be avoided, which is due to instinct

But not always accidental injury can be the cause of aggression. Various internal diseases can cause pain. And here the care of the owner comes to the fore. Any unexpected change in the pet's behavior, accompanied by irritation and aggression, should be alarming. In this case, a specialist consultation is the right decision.

After sterilization, all my cats behaved quite aggressively: when trying to pet them, they dodged, hissed and even tried to bite. I was smart enough to leave them alone for a while. I just did the daily work of caring for them: feeding, changing the water. At the same time she spoke affectionately, but did not make attempts to stroke them and tried not to make sudden movements. Over time, when the recovery process was over, the cats themselves began to flatter me, as before: rubbing against their legs, arching their backs.

A game

The games of kittens are always funny, the baby wants to squeeze, and reciprocal biting and scratching causes a smile and tenderness. But the kitten grows, and with it - its strength and depth of damage that it can inflict on its owner. In addition, he can simply get carried away, because the games of predators are of the same type: "hunter-prey". Moreover, if the owner did not attach importance to the rules of the game in time and allowed scratching and biting, then there is nothing to be surprised at.

Allowing a kitten to bite and scratch while playing will take it as its rules, but as adults, its claws and teeth will leave deeper damage.

Lack of personal space

In a home environment, a cat should have its own corner, access to which is prohibited to others. Well, not quite so categorically, but you need to respect someone else's territory. Violation of the boundaries of personal space is unpleasant for everyone, let alone cats, loners in life, even more so. Defending its boundaries, the cat can easily use claws and teeth. This behavior is normal for a predator, but unpleasant for household members. But you can be sure that the cat is all right with personal development. And if people really want a pet to follow the rules of the house, then they themselves must respect the feline principles.

My cat had such a personal corner at the top of the closet. Sitting there, she could observe everyone, remaining fully confident that no one would reach her there. If you wanted, of course, you could do it, but we never touched it. Even members of the same family sometimes need to take a break from each other.

Lack of parenting

For some reason, most owners believe that raising a cat is optional. It seems like an animal does not lend itself to special training, which means that it lives in the house, like an interior detail. This is the deepest delusion. You need to bring up a kitten from the first days of its appearance in the house. Cats perfectly learn the rules of behavior, if a person is always consistent in his requirements (if today the cat can lie on the bed, but tomorrow it cannot, then, of course, he will choose the first and will strive for this place despite the cries and threats of the owner). When the owner does not have a clear idea of what is allowed to the animal and what is not, then you need to be prepared for the fact that the cat will begin to expand the boundaries of personal space, even with the help of fangs and claws.

I had a cat, with whom we have always fought for a "warm" seat on the couch. Sometimes, after a working day, I really wanted to stretch out on the sofa and lie down quietly for 5 minutes, but it was at that very moment that the cat wanted it too. As a result, the pet ended up on the floor, and I was in our common place, because at that moment I needed it more. The answer most often was a half-evening offense. But sometimes he would quietly jump onto the sofa and bite my toes. Apparently, so that I do not think that the party has remained with me.

Taking into account the natural character of the cat and observing the established rules, you can achieve high results in education and, at the exit, get a wonderful pet with decent behavior.

Maternal instinct

Maternal instinct is one of the most powerful. The offspring of a cat is always under reliable protection. And any intrusion, any action directed against kittens, will entail immediate punishment of the offenders. Here the mother cat will not stand on ceremony. Especially if the trust in the owner is insufficient.

The maternal instinct is one of the strongest in any animal, the cat, protecting the babies, becomes very aggressive

My cats have always trusted me and allowed me to take kittens, move them at their discretion. Nevertheless, all my actions were accompanied by their watchful eyes. At any moment they were ready to help their baby.

Other animal

Smell is a powerful irritant. Especially the smell of someone else's cat. Jealousy can immediately manifest itself in all its glory. And it's good if the owner gets off with only cat nasty in slippers. Or maybe he will be severely punished for "betrayal" by physical impact, namely good scratches and bites. And if a rival unexpectedly appeared in the house and the owner paid him more attention than the “native” pet, then the character of the cat can deteriorate for a long time. Therefore, when bringing a new pet to the house, you must very carefully and competently make friends with the existing one.

Video: causes of cat aggressive behavior

How to stop a cat from scratching and biting

Breaking the instincts of animals is very troublesome. But such a moment as the use of claws and teeth should not go unnoticed. It will take a lot of effort here.

Variety of games

The first thing to consider is the involvement of your pet in active play. We must try to offer him enough variety to realize all his instincts. Games should be such that the cat understands that only toys can bite and scratch.

Puzzle games can keep your pet busy for a long time and do not require the participation of the owner

Ignoring

A great way, correct and highly pedagogical, is to ignore. If the pet begins to bite and scratch hands during the game, the game must be stopped. Don't think that the cat will not understand anything. This method is successfully used by the mother-cat in the process of raising her children.

The demand for food or petting with claws also has a causal relationship. Therefore, having given a treat after a bite, the owner will not receive anything other than reinforcing the behavior. The pet will quickly remember the way to get tasty treats. Hence, no goodies after such demands.

Redirecting aggression

Aggression can be redirected. To do this, it is enough to purchase the necessary toys that will be objects of hunting.

To redirect aggression, you need to provide your pet with toys that he can bite and scratch in plenty

Make a friend

Sometimes a question about another pet may be eligible for consideration. It is enough to have a companion for playing with a pet, and the problem with aggressiveness will be solved. Moreover, it is not necessary to take a cat. It could also be a puppy. Then, if friendship is established, and this, as a rule, happens over time, the cat will forget about the owner as an object for biting and scratching.

Other

Cats are hunters. Chasing and attacking from hiding is in their blood. Therefore, unexpected pet attacks from around the corner are common. Especially if there is a male in the house. It is easy to wean oneself from such attacks. At the moment of throwing, it is enough to spray water from a spray bottle into the muzzle, and the fountain of spray will quickly cool the ardor of the hunter. Several such meetings, and the cat will quickly understand the futility of his attempts. The clap of the newspaper also works. Such moments need to be accompanied by a team, you can come up with a word yourself. In the future, verbal influence will be enough to stop the unkind pet.

Video: how to wean a cat from biting

Common mistakes in raising pets, as a result of which adult animals scratch and bite

Many make mistakes in raising pets out of ignorance:

• One of them is playing with hands or feet. The kitten will quickly get used to them as an object of hunting. In addition, having received a bite, a person pulls away his hands, and the prey also seeks to escape. What should a kitten think? Hands are a victim, you have to catch and destroy.
• Consolidating aggression with food is the second mistake. The cat came to the kitchen, the bowl is empty. And the hostess cuts the meat. A blow with claws on the leg, the hostess, even if irritatedly pushes her with her foot, will throw the piece on the floor. Got what you want? Remember what to do next time? Yes! Conclusion: no goodies after such requirements.
• And the third mistake is a complete lack of education. Cats are smart, quick-witted and quickly delve into the process of manipulation. If there is no upbringing, they will make the rules themselves.

Owner reviews

Education is the key to a comfortable coexistence of people and pets. And since a person is still more reasonable, then the status of a leader belongs primarily to him. And the leader has the right to establish his own rules. Then peace and quiet will reign in the house. And a well-mannered and affectionate cat will only add special comfort to him.