Cat Behavior

 "Many cats have an excess of energy. While cats spend up to 80% of their day asleep, when they are awake, they expect to be entertained."

A big part of owning a cat is understanding your cats moods and emotions. Just like humans, cats can develop behavioral problems based on their surroundings. So it's your responsibility, as a pet owner, to be aware of these issues and help your cat deal with them.

Cats are very intelligent animals and need to be stimulated mentally and physically. If they don't receive enough attention cats become bored. Bored cats tend to act restlessly and can become destructive. It's important for your cats to socialize with other animals and humans. It's no secret that cats and dogs do not always get along. But you can help your cat become more sociable and deal with situations where they encounter other animals or humans.

Some cats may have experienced an early negative experience that has left them afraid of certain situations or animals. Look at how to deal with a fearful cat, as well as touching their emotions and the best way to understand them.

Why Do Cats Attack?

Most owners have been on the receiving end of cat attack.Your cat may lie and wait for you to walk by and then pounce. Or when you pat them, one stroke to many means a full-scale, teeth and claws attack.
A cats weapons are painful and most owners try to avoid being bitten or scratched. Here are some of the reasons why cats attack, and a few tips on how to reduce your cats overly 'playful' behavior.

Playful
Many cats have an excess of energy. While cats spend up to 80% of their day asleep, when they are awake, they expect to be entertained. Kittens are generally willing to play at any time. Tip: Play with your cat often, when it suits you. When alone, leave them cat toy to play with. Introduce a new toy regularly and rotate toys on a daily basis to keep them interested.
 Make them hunt for their food, as this will occupy their minds.

Attention-Seeking
If your cat attacks while your occupied elsewhere, they could be attention seeking. This is common feline behavior with cats pouncing on you while your making phone calls, working on the computer or walking sleepily to bed.
Tip: Give your cat plenty of playtime and attention, when it suits you. Do not give your cat attention if it attacks.

Predators
Play is practice for real life and when your cats attacks you they may simply be hunting. This is instinctive behavior for a cat.
Tip: Encourage you cat to ‘hunt’ appropriate prey items like toys. Tie a string on your waistband with a toy attached and drag it around after yourself as you walk around your home. Your cat will enjoy the chase. 

Redirected Aggression
If your cat is feeling angry or fearful of a situation and you interrupt them, they may lash at you. The intention was not hurt you but to release a build-up of energy. This is common when cats are watching other cats or when they are being disturbed by dogs or children.
Tip: Be aware of the likelihood of this happening before you approach or pick up your cat. If needs be, wrap your cat in a towel so they can’t attack. Place your cat in a safe, quiet spot until they calm down.

Fear-biting
Scared-cats will often attack as a defense mechanism, when they can’t get away or they have nowhere to hide. 
Tip: Nervous cats need to be introduced to the situations that make them scared. This process needs to be done very gradually. Extremely nervous cats may benefit from veterinary medication too. Consult your vet.

Mating Behavior
Responsible pet owners desex their cats – but even so, remnants of instinctive sexual behavior remain. Males will naturally grab a female cat using mouth and paws to keep her still and to prevent himself being injured. Females retaliate to the mating with their jaws and claws. Our cats often react the same way when we hold and/or stroke them.
 Tip: Halve the number of strokes you give your cat, then gradually increase the pats by one every day. If your cat tolerates very little, you may like to offer them a food treat to help them enjoy the experience.

Medical Reasons
If your cat is not normally overly playful or aggressive, then an attack may be a sign they’re in pain or have a medical condition that needs to be investigated by a vet. Older cats may suffer from arthritis. Long-haired cats may develop knots in their coats, making it painful to be touched.
Tip: Aggression that’s out of character should always be investigated by a vet.