Play Aggression in Cats

[This was originally posted on the Fairmount Animal Hospital website on 21 September 2008.]


Dear Dr. Lee,

My 7 month-old kitten Callie attacks my hands and feet – she scratches and bites them. I have multiple scrapes and scars on my hands. I’ve had her since she was a teeny baby, and while I could handle this back then, she’s bigger and stronger now. What can I do to discourage this behavior?

Scratched Up in Cicero


Dear Scratched,

Inappropriate play is often seen in cats who are orphaned early, and who never learned to control the intensity of their play. Cats who play aggressively can do serious damage.

Use a device to dissuade your cat from its exuberant behavior (for example, water pistol, air horn, fog horn) as the cat first begins to show the signs of inappropriate play to stop the behavior. When your cat acts wonderfully, reward that good behavior with gentle praise, soft petting and massage. Any time the cat plays appropriately (no teeth or unsheathed claws), reward the cat with love, praise, attention, appropriate play and kitty treats.

You should NOT use your hands to play aggressively with these cats. Your kitten should not be taught to follow your hand or foot and pounce on it. Encouraging the cat to stalk human body parts will only exacerbate the problem. Aggressive corrections are also discouraged.

Any time your cat accidentally scratches or bites a person, that person should act horrified and withdraw attention from the cat. There is no need to physically punish the cat. If the cat is young, blowing in its nose can be sufficient to startle it.

Increasing the amount of aerobic exercise your cat gets can improve the problem as well. Interactive play is often the best source of exercise, whether it be with you or with another cat.

Cats can be taught that it is acceptable to play roughly with toys, but not with people. Appropriate toys include furry mice that can be thrown for the cat to chase or fetch, and cat dancers, in which a feather or similar enticing plaything is attached to a string and can be dangled from a safe distance from teeth and claws.

Sincerely,
Dr. Lee