Cat Aggression Caused by Petting or Overstimulation

We’ve all experienced those moments of cat caressing bliss interrupted by a snarling, gnawing, and ultimately fleeing feline. Overstimulation or pet aggressiveness describes this phenomenon. It’s a common trait among felines, and unless you learn to control it with your cat, it may be both annoying and terrifying.

What causes this behavior?

Unlike dogs, cats rarely interact physically with members of their own species. The only forms of physical contact between them are grooming and sleeping close together. Petting isn’t a natural behaviour for them. Petting-induced or overstimulated aggression has been the subject of various hypotheses.

The cat has a low sensitivity threshold; it enjoys interacting with people at first, but eventually finds constant caressing to be annoying. As if to say, “I’ve had enough of you,” the cat turns and bites. We may draw parallels to how people act in this situation. You’ll feel fantastic after getting a pat on the back. If someone keeps patting you, you’ll eventually get annoyed and either step away or urge them to stop.

Aggression can occur if a sick or injured cat feels threatened by your touch or merely the possibility of being touched in a painful location.

The cat is striving to exert control over the circumstances, including the initiation and termination of the petting.

How can petting related aggression be managed?

It is recommended that you take your cat to the vet for an examination. It’s crucial that you learn whether or not your cat suffers from a medical issue that could make petting him uncomfortable for him. Sore teeth or an ear infection are two examples of sources of discomfort among many others. It’s possible that petting the cat will make the discomfort worse, or at the very least make the feline nervous about the possibility that you will accidentally touch an already sensitive spot.

Understand that not all cats enjoy being petted and cuddled. Every single cat is special in its own way. Some felines thrive on interaction with their human carers, purring loudly in your arms as you pet them. For various reasons, some people may prefer passive human interaction (like sitting on your lap) to active human interaction. Realize that your cat’s fundamental personality will remain unchanged no matter what you try to do to him.

Keep an eye out for red flags. Some cat owners claim their pet suddenly turned around and bit them. However, some telltale signs may be discernible to a vigilant owner:

It’s possible that the ears will reposition themselves
Twitching of the skin or the tail could signal the onset of this condition.
Eyes may get bigger.
In some cases, a low growl may be audible.
Unsheathing the claws is a possibility.
The physical form may harden
Keep still and let the cat go if you witness any of these behaviours. Before he gets anxious and bites, you can distract him with a treat or toy that you toss from your lap. The safest way to get him off your lap is to distract him with a toy or some food, rather than picking him up.

Time forecasting, if you will. Once you’ve learned to recognise the red flags, you may begin timing how long you can pet your cat without causing distress. Never pet the cat for longer than a minute and a half if you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms beginning around the two-minute mark. (But keep an eye out for red flags!)

I suggest you alter the manner in which you pet the cat. Some felines may respond better to brief, gentle pats that mimic the grooming they could receive from another feline. Not all cats enjoy being petted all over. Some felines would much rather have a scratch between the ears or behind the chin. Try softly petting only the face and cheeks with one finger. In most cases, a cat’s only want is to rub against its owner, and they won’t require any additional petting or attention if they are allowed to do so.

The cat should not be scolded physically. Avoid using physical punishment on your cat if he ever turns on you and bites. This could make him much more dangerous. Let the cat hide or run away if it wants to. Your efforts to scold him will be fruitless because cats are not dependent on human acceptance.

Make use of the technique of counter-conditioning. By rewarding your cat when it tolerates touching without biting, you may be able to reduce any hostility it displays as a result of being petted. Your cat may respond well to being rewarded with small pieces of cooked chicken or another treat after each stroke. Don’t go over his tolerance level by giving him more than a few strokes at a time, but do this multiple times a day. (Stop immediately if your cat displays signs of annoyance.) Petting your cat regularly can help it associate the act with positive feelings (a food treat).

We need more time to play. Frustration from boredom can contribute to this extreme state of stimulation. Keep your cat happy and healthy by playing with it every day. You can help your cat feel less frustrated by keeping it busy and active. Sometimes we are able to get over sensitivity threshold concerns by giving the person a healthy outlet for the aggravation that causes them to act aggressively in response to overstimulation.