My cat will sometimes sit on my lap and purr-very content.Then suddenly she'll try to bite my arm off, why?

Answer 1

This is a relatively common form of aggression seen in cats caused by overstimulation. Below I copied a small portion of an article about feline aggression from VeterinaryPartner.com. Visit the website listed below for the entire article.

"-- Overstimulation. You're petting your cat and suddenly he grabs you with his claws and teeth. Not a full-powered attack, but you've still got those sharp tips around your hand. What to do? In the short run, freeze. Don't struggle or fight back, or you may trigger a real bite. Sometimes smacking your other hand hard against a hard surface -- a table top, for example -- may startle your cat into breaking off the attack. If you stay still, however, he will usually calm down and release you.


That's the solution if you've gotten to the attack stage. The better option is to be familiar with your cat and his body language and stop petting before he becomes overstimulated. Cat lovers often think such attacks come without warning, but the fact is that they missed the warning signs of a cat who has simply had enough. The tail is the key. If your cat starts twitching his tail in a jerky fashion, it's time to stop petting, or to switch to an area that's more relaxing. Belly rubs are fine for dogs, but not for cats. Instead of petting your cat's sensitive tummy, rub behind his ears or at the base of the tail."

I had the same experience with my own girl. I learned exactly how much petting she could take before she started to get agitated. I haven't gotten a bite in a very long time now. Pay more attention to your girl and learn to read the signs she's giving. It can be done! Good luck!

Answer 2

I don't know why your cat bites you... but this book might help.

Understanding your cat, Don Harper

page 147
Treatment Tips

Ways of controlling aggression

Early Learning:
In the early weeks, situations that lead to aggressive behavior in a kiten should be discouraged.

Aversion Therapy:
If a cat associates it's aggressive behavior with something unpleasant happening, this a help to change it's behavior.

Medical Advice:
Some aggressive conditions can be treated with drugs. There may be physical cause of the aggression.

page 93
When Cats Purr

Nursing Mother and Kittens:
kittens purr to their mother to tell her that they are feeding. She purrs in return to let them know all is well.

Sick or Injured Cat:
Purrs to comfort itself and as a possible signal to others that it is unwell.

Contented Cat:
Purrs to indicate that it is in a friendly, social, nonthreatening mood toward people or other cats. A cat often purrs in expectation of food.

(Although my cat just purrs because he likes to be the center of attention)

Answer 3

Cats are freaks. :)
This is a sign off affection. Be honored.
I saw a plaque at an an Arts and Crafts show that said:
"The ancient Eygptians once worshipped cats as gods. The cats have not forgotten".
I should have bought it.

Answer 4

It's hard to be certain without seeing it firsthand. It could be that she's giving you love bites (in which case you should immediately leave when she does it, as a sort of time-out punishment). It could be that she's feeling playful (in which case you should play with her before letting her sit on your lap, to get all that energy out of the way). It could be because she's feeling crowded and overly sensitive (in which case you could try shortening your cuddle sessions, but make them more frequent so she gets more used to being handled).

There could be something else, too. It's hard to know without her being up to speak up and tell you.

Answer 5

I don't have any data to back this theory up but I think cats get overstimulated. We had a cat who would do that in the am when you went to the bathroom, he would rub and rub and purr and purr until he flipped out. I think they get so riled up they can't control themselves and just lash out.

Answer 6

Sometimes they suddenly become tired of what we're doing to them. It's funny how it's so sudden sometimes, but they bite to stop you from what you're doing. Perhaps you could try stroking a different part or in a different direction.

Answer 7

Aww...she is just giving you a love bite. My sisters cat does the same thing.

Answer 8

It's kind of like poor impulse control, she's feeling all loved and comforted and her reaction is equally as strong...it just seems weird to us because to humans snuggling does not equal clawing and biting.

Answer 9

My female cat used to do that same thing. She is very neurotic and the only thing my vet and I could come up with is maybe she just lost her tolerance at some point. Like she trying to force herself to be lovey but could only take so much.

Answer 10

My cat does the same thing. We have not quite figured out why,
but i think it is because she is stressed or she's trying to tell me something!! Or your cat could be jealous about something?!
lol! =)