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My Cat Bites or Is Upset by People

Sharing a home will always include a few conflicts. Issues that crop up between cats and people range from unwanted aggression to differing views about the pleasures of being picked up to adapting when a baby joins the family. You can keep your home happy by being patient, understanding your cat’s motivations, and following our advice.

Why Is My Cat Biting or Scratching Me?

Cats bite and scratch in many ways—from playful nibbling, to over-excitement, to outright aggression. The first step to stopping biting or scratching is figuring out the cause.

Asking yourself the questions below will help you home in on what is triggering the biting or scratching. Check off each one that you can answer with "no."

Am I petting my cat on her belly? (Almost all cats will bite or scratch when their bellies are touched, because it’s a vulnerable spot.)
Does my cat sometimes get overly excited when we play or I pet him? (Some cats get so stimulated that they lose control and may bite or scratch.) If you notice that your cat’s tail is twitching or his skin is rippling, stop what you are doing.
Could my cat be bored? (Under-stimulated cats may expend excess energy by biting or scratching.)
Was my cat taught that’s it okay to bite and scratch people when playing? (Kittens taught to play with human hands and feet will keep doing so when they grow up.)
Am I playing too roughly with my cat and frightening him? Check your cat’s body language: Cats who are frightened will have a tense posture and their ears may fold back. If your cat hisses, that’s a sign of stress: It’s a cat’s way of saying, “Leave me alone!”
Is my cat ill or injured? (Pain or illness can cause any cat to scratch or bite. If you think this may be the case, visit your veterinarian right away.)

If you are still having issues after you have checked off everything on the list, please contact us at cats@humanesociety.org for more information, clarification, or advice.

That furry belly looks so touchable, but beware: Most cats will bite or scratch if you give in to that temptation. Nancy Peterson/The HSUS

Stop Your Cat from Biting and Scratching

General guidelines

Don’t pet your cat on her belly (it’s a vulnerable spot).
Never use your hands or feet as playthings.
Pet your cat gently in areas where he enjoys it. (Try starting behind the ears or under the chin.)
Keep your cat from being bored and full of untapped energy. Play with your cat every day, and make sure that there are interesting things for her to do and places to go in your home.
When your cat seems scared or nervous, don’t pick him up or pet him. Signs that your cat wants to be left alone include backing away from you, tensing, thumping his tail, and crouching.
If your cat seems uncomfortable when you pick her up, immediately (and gently) put her down. Some cats don’t—and won’t ever—feel safe being picked up. (Learn more in the My Cat Doesn’t Like Being Picked Up section below.)
If your cat becomes overexcited from play, wind down the play session so that she’s calm before the play actually ends. End the play session with some treats or a full meal to help your cat return to non-play mode.
Consider the possibility that your cat is in pain, uncomfortable, or ill. If that might be the case, take your cat to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Biting or scratching while being pet

If your cat becomes overexcited during petting, follow this plan to help her stop uncontrollably lashing out:

Stop petting her before she reaches the point where she is overexcited. (You may notice your cat’s tail start twitching or her skin rippling before she reaches the point of biting.)
Reward her with treats when she remains calm during petting and when the petting ends.
Say “No,” calmly and firmly if she bites, then immediately walk away. (This shows your cat that biting or scratching will lead to a temporary loss of your attention.)
Gradually increase the amount of time you pet your cat—as long as she’s not showing signs of becoming overexcited—and continue to reward her with treats when she doesn’t bite or scratch.

Pouncing or swatting when you when you walk past

Toss a treat or toy to distract him when you pass him.
Say “No” calmly but firmly. Then gently pick him up (if possible) and put him in the bathroom for a 10-minute time out. (This teaches your cat that pouncing or swatting will cause a temporary loss of freedom.)
Reward her when she doesn’t pounce or swat.
Give your cat adequate exercise each day. (This is the behavior of a cat with lots of energy).

Kittens who bite or scratch

Freeze your hand or foot for several seconds to deprive your kitten of her plaything.
Squeak “Ow!” (It’s similar to the noise a kitten would make if her sibling bit her too hard.)
Say, “No biting,” in a firm but calm voice. (Yelling will only frighten him.)
Put a toy in his mouth (gently).
Walk away. (This will teach her you won’t play until she plays nicely).

If you are still having issues after you have checked off everything on the list, please contact us at cats@humanesociety.org for more information, clarification, or advice.

Let your cat calm down after an exciting play session before you try to pet or pick her up. Mike McFarland/The HSUS

My Cat Suddenly Attacked for No Reason

If your cat begins hissing, growling, and/or attacking you or one of your other pets—perhaps with her hair puffed straight up—for what appears to be no reason, she’s probably displaying "redirected aggression."

Redirected aggression is usually a reaction to one specific frightening experience: He may have seen a cat outside, heard a sudden loud noise, had his tail stepped on, or smelled or heard something that you aren’t even aware of. It can take your cat several minutes or hours to return to her normal self.

Caution: Sudden and unexpected aggression from your cat may also be a sign that she may be experiencing a medical problem: pain or an illness such as an issue with her thyroid. If your cat’s behavior shows a sudden or drastic change, take her to your veterinarian.

Here's how to react to redirected aggression:

Quickly remove yourself and your other pets from the situation by isolating either the distressed cat or yourself and your other pets in another room. (If you are able, pick up your distressed cat using a heavy towel or blanket and put him in another room until he calms down.) Then follow these directions:
• Once your cat is in her “safe room,” listen to her through the door to see if she is still growling. If so, keep her in the room longer. She should be in the room for a minimum of one hour.
• Before letting your cat out of the safe room, talk to him through the door for a few minutes in a calm, happy voice. Toss a treat into the room only when he’s stopped growling, and only enter the room when you detect no signs of stress.
• Don’t attempt to pet or hold your cat until you’re sure she’s feeling calm and safe again.
Avoid redirected aggression
• Protect your cats from situations that upset them. For example, keep them away from the windowsill or block their view if they are stressed by outdoor cats in the neighborhood.
• Play more interactive games with your cat.
• If one cat continually shows redirected aggression to a cat or dog she usually likes, consider reintroducing them slowly as if they never met before using the steps laid out in the Start the Relationship(s) Off Right section.

If you are still having issues after you have checked off everything on the list, please contact us at cats@humanesociety.org for more information, clarification, or advice.

Sudden aggression could mean your cat is suffering from a thyroid issue or other health problem. Nancy Peterson/The HSUS

My Cat Doesn't Like Being Picked Up

Like lots of people, many cats adore affection and cuddling but still don’t like to be lifted by someone. This usually won’t change. One reason may be that cats can have very sensitive spines and tails—and once middle age begins, they often develop arthritis—so it can hurt them to be picked up.

However, if being able to pick up your cat is very important to you, or you’re concerned that you’ll need to be able to carry your cat to safety in an emergency, here's a technique that might work. Repeat each step until your cat is clearly comfortable with what you’re doing.

Set down a bowl full of food. (This is essential.)
Put your hand on her side and move her a bit.
Place a hand on each side.
Increase the pressure from your hands.
Lift her front half slightly.
Raise her back end a little.
Lift her whole body slightly.
Gradually raise her higher and higher.

You’ll know that you’ve managed to change your cat’s mind if she doesn’t tense up or try to run when you reach for her but instead stays relaxed and even nestles into you.

But if your cat never grows comfortable with being picked up, don’t worry: He still loves you.

Although some cats love being picked up and held from the start, don't take it personally if your cat doesn't feel safe in your arms. Mike McFarland/The HSUS

Help Your Cat Adjust to a New Baby

Cats find sudden changes difficult, so the arrival of a baby in the home can cause your cat a lot of stress. Use the checklist below to make your cat more comfortable with your new baby and to keep your baby safe around your cat. You can tick off each step as you go.

Before the baby arrives

Introduce new smells associated with the baby (powder, creams, diapers, etc.).
Bring home the new baby-related objects (crib, stroller, etc.) early enough for your cat to get used to them.
Prepare your cat for the sound of your baby crying by playing recordings of other babies crying.
Help your cat get used to the change in attention and daily routine that will arrive with your baby. (If your cat is used to a certain amount of attention from you at a certain time, she’ll be stressed if it suddenly decreases.)
• A while before bringing the baby home, try to figure out how much time and at what times of day you’ll be able to devote your attention to your cat.
• Gradually shift into this new schedule so that it’s established before the baby’s arrival.
If your cat likes sitting in your lap, help him get used to sitting beside you instead, preferably while someone else is giving him more attention. Do this well ahead of time to make it easier for your cat to accept your baby’s presence in your lap.

Once the baby is home

Make sure that either you or someone else is spending 15 minutes twice a day playing with your cat.
Be certain that you or someone else is spending 15 minutes twice a day petting and grooming your cat (separate from the play time).
Use a product such as a Feliway Plug-In Diffuser, which releases a calming scent, in rooms where your cat spends a lot of her time.
Reward your cat with treats and praise for good behavior (for instance, sitting next to you or on the floor while you’re holding the baby, gently approaching and/or sniffing the baby, or even ignoring the baby). This teaches your cat that good things happen when he behaves nicely around the baby.
Teach your child how to pet your cat by holding your child’s hand and gently guiding it while petting your cat.
• Start this process by helping your child hold out his index finger, then letting your cat approach and touch her nose to the finger.
• Reward your cat with praise and treats during these lessons.
• Make sure your baby or toddler never touches a cat unless under the strict supervision of an adult, who is guiding the child’s hand when petting the cat.

Important safety precaution: Never leave any baby, toddler, or young child alone with a cat or any other pet for any period of time. An adult should always be present, for both the pet’s and the child’s safety.

If you are still having issues after you have checked off everything on the list, please contact us at cats@humanesociety.org for more information, clarification, or advice.

With patient preparation, reliable attention, and rewards for good behavior, you can help your cat accept your baby as another member of the family. istockphoto

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