Last Updated on September 16, 2022
If you notice your cat hitting you when you walk by, do not panic. It is just a natural part of their personality and behavior. Aggression is part of their hunting instinct, but it is redirected anger, and it can be upsetting. Read on to find out more about the best way to cope with this behavior. The best way to handle it is to give the cat something to do!
Aggression is a normal part of a cat’s personality
Most cats display aggression when they are threatened, redirected, or threatened by another animal. Some cats also use aggression to control common areas, sleeping areas, and possessions. In these situations, aggression is often a natural response to a threat. In addition, aggressive behavior is often heightened by fearful responses, such as when a cat retreats from its territory or sees another cat. This is why aggression toward other cats may appear so aggressive at first, but it often subsides after the cat gets over its fear.
Although aggression is a natural part of a cat’s personality, it may be too excessive or too frequent. Cats also exhibit aggression in response to perceived threats and pain. In some cases, aggression is a response to an underlying problem, such as fear, frustration, or lack of human interaction. Cats that experience frequent frustration and fear may become aggressive toward their owners. To make this process easier, we can use training methods.
Despite the fact that aggression is not a normal aspect of a cat’s personality, some cats show excessive out-of-context responses to other animals. While this may have a genetic component, insufficient socialization, poor maternal care, and early fear-evoking experiences may compound this problem. Aggression can be learned. In addition, negative responses from the owner increase fear and can reinforce aggressive behavior.
The most effective way to treat status-induced aggression is to avoid contact with the offending animal. The offending cat should only be given attention when it is relaxed and not swatting or scratching. The eyes should be open and the ears held upright. The tail posture should also be upright. If your cat is watching a bird, it may also become aggressive if approached. If the bird attempts to escape, your cat may strike at it.
It’s a hunting instinct
Your cat may strike you because of its strong hunting instinct. The animal doesn’t move away from a predator, but it still tries to get your attention by biting you on the ankle. It will eventually let go of your ankle once it understands you’re not prey. And, once you remove the excitement of catching something, the cat will stop attacking you. This is not to say that you should punish your cat for hitting you.
It’s a redirected aggression
Redirected aggression can occur for a variety of reasons. It can be triggered by high-pitched noises or scents. Sometimes, it can even be caused by seeing or hearing another animal outside. When Bailey sees a cat outside, she may immediately start to act aggressively toward that cat. Although this behavior does not always result in an attack, it is an indication that her cat has been traumatized by something.
Redirected aggression can occur when a dog is frustrated with an environment or situation. It can happen to another dog, a pet parent, or an object. For example, a neighbor’s dog might be frustrated by a large leaf flapping in the wind, and she will lash out. The situation is similar if the two dogs walk by the same path. A dog may also develop redirected aggression when she is surrounded by objects, including furniture and other items.
One study showed that the SM occurs in fewer than one in every 45 cases of redirected aggression. The study found that SM occurred in 33 cases out of 342 cases of redirected aggression, and none of the non-redirected aggression. This result was non-significant in the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Close investigation also suggested that the effect was present only in females.
You can prevent it
Cats may swat people if they are trying to get attention or remind you to give them their daily fix of water or outdoor time. But they may also do so out of fear or startle. If your cat swats you when you walk by, the next time you approach it, they will lash out blindly at things that come close to them. There are several ways to stop your cat from hitting you when you walk by.
Try blocking your cat’s eating area. This will encourage your cat to explore the house instead of clinging to one spot. Cats should not be in one place for too long. If your cat is eating in one area, you may want to block its access to this area to prevent it from interacting with you. Your cat will soon learn that this isn’t a good place for you and will start to move on to other parts of the house.
Another way to prevent your cat from hitting you when you walk past is to punish it when it plays rough. Physical punishments like squirting water or yelling at your cat may make the situation worse. You might even make your cat fearful of your hands, which will increase the aggression level. This could be difficult if your cat has a fear of your hands. You can also consider giving your cat a time out by walking away from its play area or closing the door.
If your cat does attack you, remove yourself from the situation immediately. If you react to the cat, it will likely continue to attack you. Ultimately, the cat may be acting out because it doesn’t want to interact with you. If you respond to the cat with a physical reaction, the attack will continue. And you can’t expect your cat to stop being aggressive just because it’s afraid to interact with you.
About The Author
Mindy Vu is a part time shoe model and professional mum. She loves to cook and has been proclaimed the best cook in the world by her friends and family. She adores her pet dog Twinkie, and is happily married to her books.