Why does my cat attack me?

[Vixs]

No he doesn't go outside and has absolutely no interest in going outside!  I live with my parents and while myself and dad are at work all day, my mum doesn't work and therefore she is in the house all day.  However, Mac always sleeps all afternoon everyday and he is never really on his own for long.

[Debbie]

Does he go outside at all and are you out at work during the day? 

He does sound like he is very energetic and needs a lot of playtime, particularly if he is following you about, he wants attention!

[Vixs]

I got him when he was 9 weeks old from the local welfare centre so I know it's nothing to do with his life before I got him.  He is quite an energetic cat and tends to have many mad half hours running from room to room and playing so he is a playful cat and I do play with him but maybe not often enough, so I will try and rectify that.  Interesting about the eye contact as I didn't know that.  Also I have learned that I can only stroke him once or twice then he will lash out unlike my previous cat who loved it for at least 5-10mins.  Guess he is not that type of cat and it's still a learning process on what he likes and how far I can go without him getting aggressive but it's getting better.  Another thing about him is that he is the nosiest cat I have ever known lol.  Everywhere I go he is there following me, even to the toilet!!  Guess it's kinda cute sometimes. 

Thanks for your help and will try what you have suggested.

[Hippykitty]

Just out of interest Vixs, what is the history of your kitten? Have you had him since he was tiny, or has he had a troubled history? This may have some bearing on the reason for his aggression.
If you've had him since 10 weeks old or so, this is probably just boisterousness.

[Debbie]

The other important thing is dont squeal when he gets you! That high pitched noise rewards him.

I will try and remember that the next time Sam is ripping a chunk of flesh off my hand, I'm such a girl 

[Millys Mum]

Eye contact is intimadating, you dont want your pet to be scared of you, just learn that when he does get carried away with mum something unpleasant happens.

The other important thing is dont squeal when he gets you! That high pitched noise rewards him.

[Hippykitty]

From what I've read, cats regard eye contact as aggressive, whereas not looking directly at them, or squinting, is considered friendly, which is why they always go to the person in the room who doesn't like cats - because a cat's body language is different to ours and dogs.

So a wide eyed NO!  and clap would be more effective than an eyes turned away one, as the cat would think you don't really mean it.

Sorry to contradict you MM

[Millys Mum]

Blowing on his face will repel him too (dont make eye contact with him)

[Hippykitty]

Clap once and say a loud 'NO!' when he does this. Also, play with him lots to try to release his pent up playful energy.

[Vixs]

Yes he was neutered at the end of December when he was 6 months old.

[JackSpratt]

It sounds like he's trying to instigate play to me. My oldest tom used to try and get me to play like that when he was a kitten - I used to ignore him untiil he was less aggro and then play with him with a toy on a string or a ball. It's pretty hard to ignore something with really sharp claws but it seemed to work as he doesn't play especially rough now.

Out of the four, he's the "bruiser" though!

[Desley (booktigger)]

IS he neutered Vixs?

[Sarah (seldom_use)]

my cats have done it too, it seemed to be just a phase.

although they have never stopped pouncing on my feet when they stick out of the bed covers  i think they're just trying to stop me from getting cold 

xxx

[Christina]

Hiya,
       My little girl does this too. She attacks feet in the bed, jumps on you sometimes when you walk past, runs after your legs attacking them when you walk etc etc. I thought it was funny at first, but not so much anymore. She is nine months old. I tried hissing at her or blowing in her face. It detered at first but then she just seamed to get used to it!!!! Im am just hoping that she grows out of it. It seams like lots of young ones go through this sort of stage. It  is a worry though! I just try to ignore it when she attacks (easier said then done i know!) but if you do manage to not react then sometimes they do stop!

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Lots of cats seem to go through a sort of teenage phase at about that age - Mosi certainly got a bit stroppy!  It may just be a phase but like the others have said, best to deter it.  You could try hissing at him when he becomes aggressive or withdrawing your attention from him completely (inc no eye contact) so that he's not rewarded for being aggressive.

I take it he's neutered?

[Debbie]

Hi Vixs

My cat does this too although he has calmed down a bit now.  I think it is a combination of his playfulness/attention seeking and like Lynne said, I notice it more so when it is feeding time (at 6 on a Saturday morning when I REALLY want that extra couple of hours in bed!)

I have no advice other than wear armoury of sisal or give in to whatever he is demanding 

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

Have a look at wizz's advice.

http://wizz-catz.co.uk/aggression.html

[lynne]

My cat Ziggy will sometimes attack feet when they are sticking out of duvet, usually he wants attention
I.E  ..time to get up and feed him!!

Now and then he also likes to take a swipe at my feet as I walk past, again this is usually in the morning when he is ready to be fed.

Its attention seeking, I guess! and at 10 months it might be playing/hunting instinct kicking in ??..

Whatever it is...I would let him know you are dis-pleased with that sort of behaviour (use strong tone, and say NO).

Sorry thats all I can suggest.

Lynne

[Vixs]

My cat is 10 months old now and he is showing signs of aggressiveness.  Now and again he will attack me for no reason.  Last night I walked past him and he jumped up and caught my hand to which his claw got stuck into my hand and of course that was painful to me!!

Other times when he sleeps on my bed and I leave my hands or feet out of the duvet he will claw me without warning!!  Would love to lock him out of where I am sleeping at night but I am temporarily staying at parents and he needs access to the kitchen where his food at litter tray are which is the other side of where I am.

What can I do to stop him doing this?