Understanding Cats Pummeling Behavior

Cat hitting can be caused by a variety of reasons, including defensive aggression, pain-triggered aggression, petting-induced aggression, and disease-induced aggression. When cats feel threatened or fearful, they may defend themselves by attacking. In addition, if a cat feels discomfort or pain when petted, they may also express their displeasure by biting or scratching. Sometimes, cat aggression may be related to their hunting instincts or playful behavior, especially if they mistake a person's hands or feet for prey. 

Why Do Cats Pummel?

1. Play Aggression

One of the most common reasons cats hit people is play aggression. Cats, especially kittens and younger cats, may engage in rough play that mimics hunting behavior. This includes pouncing, swatting, and hitting with their paws. While it may seem aggressive, your cat is likely just trying to have fun.

2. Overstimulation

Cats can become overstimulated when petted or handled for too long, leading to hitting or swatting as a way to signal discomfort. What starts as pleasant petting can become overwhelming for a cat, especially if certain areas like their belly are touched.

Signs of Overstimulation:

• Tail twitching or flicking
• Flattening ears
• Restlessness or skin twitching

3.Fear or Defensive Aggression

If a cat feels threatened or scared, they may hit or swat as a defense mechanism. This is often seen in cats who are in unfamiliar environments, around unfamiliar people, or when they’re surprised by sudden movements or loud noises.

4. Territorial Aggression

Cats are naturally territorial creatures, and they may hit or swat to assert dominance or defend their space. This can happen when new pets or people are introduced into their environment, or even when their routine is disrupted. In multi-cat households, social conflict between cats may cause one cat to transfer aggressive behavior to humans. 

5.Mood Changes

Cats may attack humans when their moods change, especially in the following situations.

• Pain or discomfort: If cats are ill or injured, they may become irritable and aggressive because of the pain. 
• Emotional transfer: Cats may transfer aggressive emotions that they cannot vent to the outside world to people or animals close to them. 
• Resource protection: Cats may attack humans to protect their food, territory, or young. 
• Overexcitement or Misunderstanding: While playing, cats may attack because of overexcitement or mistaking a human hand for prey. 
• Stress reaction: cats may show aggressive behavior under stress, which may be caused by environmental changes or other stressors. 

6.Aggressive Behavior of Unneutered Cats in Heat

Unneutered cats are more prone to aggressive behavior during the heat, mainly due to the changes in hormone levels in the cat's body during the heat, resulting in fluctuations in their mood and behavior. Female cats will show agitation and restlessness during the heat, and may refuse the owner's contact and caress, or even display aggressive behavior. Male cats in heat may become more active and aggressive as they search for a mate, and they may mark territories through urine as well as clash with other cats, and these behaviors may sometimes turn to humans. 

In addition, unneutered cats may become more sensitive and irritable during estrus due to physical discomfort and psychological stress, which may also lead to increased aggression towards humans.

Also Read: Do Cats Change After Being Spayed

What Diseases May Lead to Aggressive Behavior in Cats?

Aggressive behavior in cats may be related to a variety of diseases, here are some diseases that may lead to increased aggression in cats:

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal viral disease, and infected cats may exhibit sudden personality changes, increased aggression, fear of water and light, and increased salivation. 

Hyperthyroidism

This endocrine disease can cause cats to be temperamental and prone to aggression. 

Epilepsy

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Antiseizure; status epilepticus; convulsion; spasm

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Seizures in cats may cause them to show aggression before and after the seizure. 

Pain or inflammation

Dental problems, arthritis, or other chronic pain conditions may cause cats to become sensitive and aggressive. 

Brain tumors or other neurological conditions

These diseases may affect a cat's behavior and emotional balance, leading to aggressive behavior. 

Cognitive dysfunction

Older cats may experience a decline in cognitive function that manifests itself in anxiety, disorientation, and aggressive behavior. 

If your cat suddenly exhibits unusual aggressive behavior, you should contact your veterinarian for an examination to rule out any of these diseases or other health problems. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving your cat's health and behavior.

What Should I Do When My Cat Attacks?

Self-protection is very important when a cat attacks. Here are some countermeasures.

• Stay calm

Avoid screaming or violent movements, which may intensify the cat's aggression.

• Back away slowly

Back away slowly with smooth movements, avoiding sudden turns or running, which may aggravate the cat's pursuit instinct.

• Protecting vulnerable areas

Protect vulnerable areas such as the face and throat with your arms, and if possible, use items such as coats or bags to separate the cat.

• Use a non-threatening voice

Use a calm but firm voice to tell the cat to stop and avoid shouting.

• Avoid looking directly into the eyes

Looking directly into your cat's eyes may be interpreted as a challenge; try to avoid direct stares.

• Use obstacles

If there is furniture or walls nearby, use them as barriers to block your cat's attacks.

• Don't fight back

Don't try to hit your cat back with your hands unless absolutely necessary; this can lead to more serious bites or scratches.

• Seek help

If you are at home, call out for help to attract the attention of your family, and if you are outdoors, get to a safe place as soon as possible and seek help.

When treating wounds after being attacked by a cat, wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention as soon as possible to prevent infection and other possible health problems. If cat aggression occurs suddenly and unpredictably, consider consulting a veterinarian or animal behaviorist to understand the potential cause of the attack and take appropriate precautions.

How to Discipline a Hitting Cat?

Punitive methods should be avoided when training a hitting cat, as this may cause the cat to become more nervous and may exacerbate aggressive behavior. Instead, the following non-punitive training methods can be used.

• Sound stopping

When the cat is about to attack, you can stop it by saying “no” or “no” in a serious tone of voice. 

• Action Stop

You can gently press the fur on the back of the cat's neck to simulate the soothing behavior of a mother cat and make the cat quiet down. 

• Toys

Use toys such as cat teasers to attract your cat's attention and guide them to shift their aggression to the toy. 

• Positive Reinforcement

Reward cats promptly when they show good behavior, such as petting, praise or small snacks, to reinforce the correct behavior. 

• Avoid punishment

Do not physically punish your cat, which may lead to retaliation or become more aggressive.

• Consult a professional

If the cat's aggressive behavior is difficult to control, consult a veterinarian or professional animal behaviorist. 

During the training process, it is vital to maintain patience and consistency, as well as to ensure that the training environment is safe to prevent injury to the cat or humans. Through the above methods, you can gradually help your cat to correct its aggressive behavior and build a more harmonious human-pet relationship.

How to Reduce Cat's Behavior of Pouncing Due to Predatory Instincts?

Strategies to Reduce Cat Pouncing Behavior

• Increase interactive play

Active, interactive play with cats through the use of toys such as feather sticks and laser pointers can help them burn off excess energy and channel their prey instincts into play.

• Distraction

When cats display predatory behavior, immediately engage their attention with toys to distract them from the actual pouncing action.

• Create a safe environment

Ensure that items in your home that are likely to arouse your cat's interest, such as curtains and drapes, are properly managed to minimize the chances of them hunting.

• Positive Reinforcement

When cats choose appropriate toys or display predatory behaviors in appropriate settings, offer rewards such as snacks or extra attention to reinforce these behaviors.

• Avoid Punishment

Don't punish your cat when they pounce; this may increase their stress and anxiety and lead to worsening behavioral problems.

• Provide space to climb and explore

Set up cat trees and vertical spaces to give your cat more opportunities to climb and explore to satisfy their curiosity and activity needs.

By doing the above, you can help cats express their hunting instincts indoors in a healthy way, while reducing inappropriate pouncing behavior on people or furniture. Remember to maintain patience and consistency in the training process and gradually guide your cat to form new behavioral habits.

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