I got myself a cat recently and, as far as I can tell, I treat her well. I make sure she has food, clean her litter periodically and I pet her every day. Nonetheless, she seems hell-bent on tripping me. Even while purring, she’ll still do it. I almost fell twice already.
Also, every single time I try to play with her, she’ll bite and scratch me, again, even while purring. And it hurts! I have scratch marks all over the back of my hand and arm. At first I thought she just didn’t realize she was hurting me but I’ve said ouch numerous times now and she still does it.
Does my cat hate me for some reason? Is something wrong with her? Is she just trying to get me down to her level (I’ve noticed she likes to climb things to be closer to my face)? But then why the scratches? Should I return her?
It’s normal cat behaviour. Cats like rubbing against you. Cats can’t trip because they have four legs. They don’t understand the whole concept.
Gentle biting and scratching is how cats play. They have fur. It doesn’t understand that you don’t.
I hate to break it to you but cats don’t speak English. If you hiss, stare, and cuff it firmly but not hard enough to cause any real harm it will stop playing with you and you won’t get scratched anymore. Is that what you want?
There are some breeds of cat that are more docile and stupid than others. They’d probably be less active and therefore easier to get along with. Personally I like my cats to be like proper cats. YMMV.
Your injuries will also be less if you clip her claws - just the tips! - using a pair of regular nail clippers. Also, when she has a part of your body in her grip - claws or teeth - do not pull away to extract yourself. Push toward her so the claws or teeth release from your flesh instead of getting a firmer grip and ripping skin.
Give your cat time – they usually clue in about the clawing and nipping after a while. Just say NO in a sharp voice and then withdraw for a minute every time you cat acts inappropriately. Remember that your cat is just trying to be affectionate to you.
Cats always think they are the beneficiaries of your insurance. Show her the policy, and explain that if you trip and die, she goes back to the shelter. That ought to fix things toot sweet!
If the cat is really being too rough with the biting and scratching, you could try keeping a small spray bottle handy to lightly spritz it whenever it tries to bite or scratch.
The tripping thing sounds normal to me too. It’s not trying to be mean. I just think it’s a reflection of how cats are not used to being pack animals, so they don’t know how to travel with another animal without getting underfoot.
Cat wants to go where you want to go - with you. Cat owners learn to use peripheral vision to keep an eye out. It’s almost guaranteed that cat will wish to ‘accompany’ you to the kitchen; be wary when carrying hot things or wet things or things that can break. I’ve never known a cat to grow out of the habit; you just get used to being careful.
If it’s a kitten, it will bite and scratch while playing because play is practice killing for your beast of prey. Try not to succumb to the urge of tickling its tummy when it’s on its back because it will grab you, hang on with its claws, and try to chomp you. That’s how mommy would be teaching it to murder mousies, you see. The best bet is to play with the kitty with toys rather than with your bare hands. Basically, if it learns while young that it’s ok to play ‘kill’ with your hand, it won’t really grow out of that habit.
If nobody’s told you yet, don’t let the kitty play with string or shoelaces, elastics - stuff like that. Cats can eat these things which go to get horribly tangled in their innards. Same goes for tinsel - anything long and thin like that. OTOH, a lot of cats love to bat tinfoil balls around. I had one cat who liked to play fetch with her foil ball, even.
I can say if the cat is tripping you, it’s done it before and found it funny. Well at least as much as a cat can. In otherwords, it tripped you and said “Wow what fun, playtime!!!”
As another poster said I have found the best behavior modification for a cat is a water gun. Wait till the animal engages you, say “NO!” very loud and give it a quirt. The cat will probably take off.
It will probably take two more times or so, before the cat realizes the play tripping will result in her having to lick the water off. Cats hate to be unclean or wet. (tigers and jaguars not wish standing)
Always, no matter what, be gentle and affectionate to your cat.
Remember that these behaviors are just your cat trying to interact with you because your cat likes you. Don’t drive her away when she is trying to be affectionate or playful – try to modify her behavior without being mean to her. Love wins cats over. Harshness turns them away.
If you do, you will forever be known in the feline world as the pussy wussy.
No, do not return her. You can train her to stop biting and scratching you but it takes time. One method that helps is while she is on your lap, all quiet and purring, is to rub her front feet between your finger and thumb. Just a bit of pressure. It’s sending her a message that there is an alternative to scratching you. We did it with our kittens for six months and they’ve never attempted to scratch us since.
My Buddy was too rambunctious for his previous human – particularly in how he played with her other cat, and how he nipped her when being affectionate, and then there was the fox incident.
Now that he is with me, he has stopped nipping – it was really just a matter of time and patience and love. His new best friend – my neighbour’s German Sheppard – is big enough to enjoy the roughhousing. I have to be very careful where I step, for he is constantly running beside or in front of me, and often pounces. He’s my Buddy!
Aww, it sounds like she likes you! She’s likely rubbing you with her scent as she ‘trips’ you. Get her some good toys and she should leave your arms alone. Especially those animals that come on the end of a fishing rod/line contraption. Or just crumple up a ball of paper – some of them will even bring it back to you (but no promises).
Another tip: If her claws snag in your clothes (or something else non-painful), you can cause her to retract by gently squeezing the sides of her paws. Cats extend their claws by spreading their toes.
And if she’s sitting in your lap and you’re petting her, she might “knead” your lap with her claws. This is a sign that she’s comfortable: That’s what kittens do while nursing, to keep the milk flowing (of course, their claws aren’t nearly as sharp while nursing, or every momma cat would bleed to death, but they keep the habit after they grow sharp claws).
I think cats are trying to get your attention. Tripping you is a good way to do that, or maybe they’re thinking more “Hey, she’s gonna walk past the food dish without filling it! Can’t let that happen. I know, I’ll stand in her way…”
My cat used to nearly trip me every morning, and then one day she did succeed in unbalancing me. And I had a cup of hot coffee. Well, she doesn’t do that any more.
In a related cat-training (or conditioning?) move, she used to meow quite piteously whenever a can of anything was opened, because every once in awhile she got tuna juice. She really loved tuna juice. And we don’t actually eat a lot of canned things, so more often than not, when a can was opened she was rewarded for her diligence. But then my kid developed a fondness for canned green beans (Jolly Green Giant only, please), so whenever I opened it she would beg, or I mean demand her due. So one day I poured her some green been juice. You should have seen the look I got. Yeow.
But after that when cans were opened she waited until something was poured into her dish. Or not.
When a cat rubs against your leg, she’s marking you as hers.
For the clawing, when she digs in, hold her paw gentle and firmly say “No Claws!” or just “No!” She’ll get the idea eventually.
