my boyfriend was scratching her back, and I was scratching her ears and neck (she always loves this). I was rubbing and scratching away when she suddenly bit down on my hand and started scratching me. When I pulled away, she started swiping at me and hissing! I have no idea why, shes never reacted that way before, i never scratch her hard or anything. Whats up?
2006-09-22 19:17:28 · 13 answers · asked by deconstruct2000 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I think this is called petting aggression. Too much of a good thing can actually over stimulate the kitty and it actually begins to be painful. Next time just watch her body language (ears back, swishing tail, wide eyes) that will tell you she has had enough petting. Back off and let her come to you for more if she wants it. Hope this helps.
2006-09-22 19:22:58 · answer #1 · answered by felinefanatic 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
To the person that said it was a love bite ... didn't you read the whole question? She said that the cat was swiping and hissing. That doesn't sound like love to me.
Cats can be weird sometimes. Sometimes they can get startled and react that way, have a pain in a weird area. Or, some cats will get crazy and aggressive if they don't want to be pet anymore. Thats a cat for you. But, I still love cats.
2006-09-23 02:27:51 · answer #2 · answered by Hicktown girl66 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kitty has "nipped" me a few times when she's just had enough & usually, you can see by the dilated pupils if aggression is on her mind. But, I'd check her out, see if there may be a spot that is sensitive for any number of possible reasons, that you might need to attend to. Has there been any change in her environment, or other "new" behaviors???
2006-09-23 02:36:56 · answer #3 · answered by Valac Gypsy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is completely normal behavior for that cat. All cats do this when they have become exceedingly comforted. It is called a "love bite", and although it's uncomfortable, it's actually a huge compliment.
It means you have made her feel incredible, and she can't deal with how good it is. In the wild, before mating, or during play or when a mother picks up a kitten, they use their teeth to pinch the other partner.
Her pinch of you is much like a mother cat does to her kitties.
It's a real compliment. Don't get offended. She just loves you.
2006-09-23 02:19:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
You could have hurt her without even knowing it...my cat is actually playful like that, you will be petting him and scratching on him and he will turn around and bite you and claw at you. Cats are weird but cool pets.
2006-09-23 02:28:57 · answer #5 · answered by StayAtHome MOM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you touched a sore spot, bruise or other injury and caused her a little pain or discomfort, she was probably over-stimulated. Here is a really good description of the behavior and how to handle it.
2006-09-23 02:21:44 · answer #6 · answered by Shibi 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hmm... maybe she has a sore on her that you hurt while you were scratching? I'd take her to a vet, just to see. She may hae an internal injury if you can't see anything underneath her fur.
2006-09-23 02:19:11 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Is it possible that she was sort of asleep while you were petting her? My cat did that to me once, he was sleeping, perhaps dreaming or just panicked when he realised he was touched by someone, but did not immediately realize who it was.
2006-09-23 02:25:54 · answer #8 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She was jealous. She just wanted your boyfriend's attention. This happens all the time between my husband and I and our cat!
2006-09-23 13:07:05 · answer #9 · answered by Lydia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strange, maybe she has a chemical imbalance or she did not like the way that you were petting her and felt threatened.
2006-09-23 02:32:07 · answer #10 · answered by souplane21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋