Why is it that cats are all lovey dovey one second then the next they chew your hand off?

Question

I have a blue tabby and he is a lover but for some reason I will be petting him and he freaks and starts eating my hand and fingers but after 2 seconds hes fine, like nothing ever happend

Answer 1

Yeah, kind of like people, eh?

Answer 2

My 2 most recent cats did the same thing. After repeating the experiment many, many times, with many, many different responses on my part, and after careful consideration of all the data, I have come to the conclusion I don't know a damned thing about it.

OK. Seriously. Cats are very self centered and picky. It seems to be their way of saying you are not doing it right. I may be finding a tickle, or a sore spot, or maybe each was just nervous about being touched in certain ways. (Both had different dislikes.) I doubt it is ever, "that's too much", because they seldom move away. And seldom do they bite when I change the way I pet.

There seems to be a different range of bites. I think I can tell when Fred is playing because he will restart again, without drawing blood or pain. Other times it is a warning, & when I fail to heed it, the next bite is harder or more painful. Sometimes his bite is, "OK. You're a nice guy too", being just a mild chaw. Sometimes it is a "PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!" as he hooks me on the way by (Always happens when I"m late with his treat) Only once has a cat ever clamped on & kept it going. That cat was in a rage, & for good reason, but that is another story.

To add a note: I have never found slapping a cat to work. A water pistol squirt, a snap to the nose that has no pain, or grabbing them by the scruff of the neck seems effective for the moment. Their dignity is insulted because that is the way the tell each other who is boss & that the other cat is crossing the line.

Just about the time I begin to think I am learniing their language, they change the words, so to speak.. One thing to remember: We never, ever own a cat; They ALWAYS own the human.

Answer 3

I actual have 4 cats whom all have distinctive personalities. all of them decide to be petted and executed with each and each so oftentimes yet one especially is oftentimes with me. If I sit down, shes genuine on my lap. If I walk from one end of the residing abode to the numerous ... she follows. She even sits exterior the bathe on a padded bench and waits for me to get out. She greets me on the door as quickly as I come residing abode. She sleeps on my tummy in the dark below the covers. i'm arranged on it ... and have not have been given any courtroom docket situations. She has continuously been cuddly yet a lot extra so over the wonderful 3 hundred and sixty 5 days. My vet stated that its using actuality shes been by capacity of way of a lot medically ( she has megacolon ) and that i'm a secure haven for her ... she is widespread with of I take as impressive care of her as a can and on a similar time as shes ill Im continuously which incorporate her making shre she is okay. So the vet stated there's a undeniable attachment there ... makes me experience great. :) delight in it!

Answer 4

He's either trying to play, or telling you, "Hey, enough is enough, quit touching me!" Some cats are like that. Just watch him for body language cues. If he seems to be getting agitated before he attacks your hand (tail twitching, ears laying flatter to his head, etc.), then stop petting him before he attacks.

If he's seemingly fine one minute, then attacking your hand the next, he's probably trying to play. He needs to be taught that playing with hands and feet is not acceptable. So when he does it, yell "Ow!" and walk away. Eventually, he'll get the point. If done consistantly, he should stop doing this (if it IS just playing, that is). And ONLY play with him with cat toys, never parts of your body.

Answer 5

Cats are very sensitive to your emotions and energy. If you are upset, they sense that emotion and react to the feeling that is bouncing off your energy. This is why cats change emotions so quickly.
Also, by petting your cat for too long at once, you are creating a static electrical charge on their coats, which causes discomfort.

Issy

Answer 6

I've heard it's an emotional overload, over stimulation. My cat does the same if I'm petting her with both hands.

Answer 7

The reason for the nine lives is that there are actually nine full personalitys in the cat. as it gets older it becoms less and less random, because some of the personalitys die.

Answer 8

we had a cat when i was a kid and he went crazy when you petted his back. we knew the people that had his mother. they said he started that when he was 4 or 5 weeks old. they had no children, so they knew he hadn't been stepped on or hurt in any way. we just didn't pet his back. he was very lovable as long as no one petted his back.

Answer 9

They chew your hand cuz they want you to play.
Too bad there isn't a cat whisperer show to watch.

Answer 10

Two of my cats do that too, its strange. Yeah, over-stimulation makes sense, cats are just weird. You pet them so much, it triggers something. Lovable, but strange. :D

Answer 11

they are just tempermental animals. just b/c they're biting doesn't mean they're being mean. it could be that he thinks he's playing with you. but it's also a way of showing that they're dominant. don't worry, your cat still loves and adores you.