Are cats sadistic or is biting and other aggression a sign of something else?
Do you understand cats?
Cats are all kinds of things, but mainly crazy, unpredictable and it can seem like they don’t know what they want. But they are definitely not sadists, and aggressive behavior definitely does not give them the slightest pleasure.
The behavior of cats is a little distant from us, and therefore we sometimes misjudge how a cat feels, what it wants or what bothers it. It is also quite common for cats to scratch, bite or rather quickly run away even while petting and stroking the owner. Should we be concerned about this or is it quite normal behavior that we shouldn’t be concerned about?
Why a cat scratches or bites you will also be explained in this post from the TOP Interests YouTube channel.
Source: Youtube
Biting and scratching should discourage you
Experts say that if cats behave this way during cuddling, it could be sensory overload. Cats are very sensitive to physical contact. Although cuddling is pleasant for them at first, prolonged touches can make them feel uncomfortable.
You can notice the upset. That’s when they start flapping their tails furiously, flexing their muscles and trying to get rid of your victims. If you believe it is a game, then you will simply ignore these signals. The cat will bite you and eventually run away.
Cats are also very sensitive to which parts of their body you stroke. Above all, the abdomen is a very sensitive and forbidden zone. It is significantly more pleasant for the cat to be stroked on the back or on the back of the neck or under the chin. However, each cat has its own preferences and is also used to certain behaviors from you.
How a cat perceives touch is also dependent on early socialization. Above all, cats that grew up as kittens of feral mothers or were away from humans when they were kittens are not very tolerant and often react more aggressively to touch and attack unexpectedly. Kittens that have grown up in a kennel are more used to being petted, they don’t irritate them so much and they tolerate not only their owners, but also new people better. Literally from birth, such cats behave very differently.
To some extent, cat biting is part of the game or the animal is trying to establish its dominance.
Cats want both closeness and play
As for the reaction to such behavior, it is recommended not to punish the cats, not to shout at them and, on the contrary, try to understand them and respect their boundaries. After all, you can play with the cat in other ways.
They will appreciate various string toys, but also balloons and sometimes plush toys. Try out what your cat likes and give it satisfaction even for a short or rare cuddle.
Sources: thesprucepets.com, hartz.com
