We’ve had our cat since he was a kitten. He and my dog used to play a lot when he was small, but now at 3 years old, he’s a big cat! My dog still wants to play with him, but my cat is so aggressive. He loves hiding and jumping out at us—like he’s trying to scare us or play. Sometimes he just taps our feet or legs, but other times he’s grabbing us with his teeth and claws. He’s always done this, and I’m curious about this behavior. No one has ever hurt him, he’s always been indoors, and he’s neutered. It feels like he’s hunting us. My 4.5-year-old was walking in the living room, and he suddenly ran at her, grabbing her legs with his teeth and claws. She ended up upset and with scratches. It’s rare for him to attack her, but when he does, I get so angry and fed up. He has a good life, but I need to know how to handle this behavior. Anyone dealt with a cat like this?
Does it seem like play? We’re going through this with one of our young male cats too. What’s worked for us is to yelp high-pitched when he touches skin with teeth. Ignoring him when he gives love bites has helped; he’s a lot gentler now with softer bites and no claws. I even thought about getting an air horn for when he starts to bite lol.
@Fable
That sounds like a good approach! I wonder if it would really help. How has your cat responded to the yelping?
Kip said:
@Fable
That sounds like a good approach! I wonder if it would really help. How has your cat responded to the yelping?
He seems to get the message and tones it down a bit. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress.
Yeah, it sounds like he’s just playing. Does he have toys or other ways to entertain himself? Maybe you should invest in some toys he can play with alone. He seems smart and might just need more brain stimulation to use up that energy.
@Merrick
That’s a good point. I’ve noticed that when my cat has plenty of toys, he’s less likely to get aggressive with us.
I’d definitely keep an eye on how he plays with your dog. If it’s getting too rough, maybe supervise their playtime more closely. It might help them re-establish boundaries.
Monroe said:
I’d definitely keep an eye on how he plays with your dog. If it’s getting too rough, maybe supervise their playtime more closely. It might help them re-establish boundaries.
That’s smart. I think some cats just need a little guidance to understand their strength.
It sounds like your cat is just super hyped up and doesn’t know how to handle himself. Maybe teaching him some boundaries when playing would help him calm down.
Paden said:
It sounds like your cat is just super hyped up and doesn’t know how to handle himself. Maybe teaching him some boundaries when playing would help him calm down.
I agree. Cats can get really excited during playtime, and it’s all about redirecting that energy.
I feel for your daughter. It’s tough when they get too rough. Maybe some training or playtime with interactive toys could help channel that energy better.
Lane said:
I feel for your daughter. It’s tough when they get too rough. Maybe some training or playtime with interactive toys could help channel that energy better.
That’s a good idea. I’ve seen some toys that really engage cats and keep them busy for a while.