{"id":1625,"date":"2020-11-04T06:02:10","date_gmt":"2020-11-04T06:02:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/?p=1625"},"modified":"2021-03-04T20:45:42","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T20:45:42","slug":"why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/","title":{"rendered":"Why does my cat swipe at me when I walk by?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Nothing is as bitter as the betrayal of your beloved furry companion swiping at your feet when you walk by.&nbsp; Here you are, minding your own business, walking around your home where you think you\u2019re safe from any harm, when BAM, sharp claws and teeth to the ankles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019re left wondering, what did you do wrong?&nbsp; Your kitty, who is usually such an angel suddenly attacks you?&nbsp; Is this a normal weird cat behavior or should you be concerned?&nbsp; We\u2019ll answer all of those questions today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#Why_they_attack\" title=\"Why they attack\">Why they attack<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#Figuring_out_why_the_cat_swipes_when_you_walk_by\" title=\"Figuring out why the cat swipes when you walk by\">Figuring out why the cat swipes when you walk by<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#Play_aggression_when_you_walk_by\" title=\"Play aggression when you walk by\">Play aggression when you walk by<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#Status-related_aggression_when_you_walk_by\" title=\"Status-related aggression when you walk by\">Status-related aggression when you walk by<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#How_do_I_stop_my_cat_from_being_aggressive_while_playing\" title=\"How do I stop my cat from being aggressive while playing?\">How do I stop my cat from being aggressive while playing?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#My_cat_bitscratched_me_should_I_be_concerned\" title=\"My cat bit\/scratched me, should I be concerned?\">My cat bit\/scratched me, should I be concerned?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#Common_questions_about_cat_attacks\" title=\"Common questions about cat attacks\">Common questions about cat attacks<\/a><ul class=\"ez-toc-list-level-3\"><li class=\"ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#Why_is_my_cat_aggressive_towards_guests\" title=\"Why is my cat aggressive towards guests?\">Why is my cat aggressive towards guests?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#Why_is_my_younger_cat_bullying_my_older_cat\" title=\"Why is my younger cat bullying my older cat?\">Why is my younger cat bullying my older cat?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#What_are_cat_love_bites\" title=\"What are cat love bites?\">What are cat love bites?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-i-walk-by\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_they_attack\"><\/span>Why they attack<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two main reasons why cats may act aggressively towards humans: play aggression and status-related aggression. Often cats will attack their owners when they are feeling playful. They\u2019ll either scratch or bite, without ill intent. Still, our soft skin is no match to their sharp teeth and claws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Figuring_out_why_the_cat_swipes_when_you_walk_by\"><\/span>Figuring out why the cat swipes when you walk by<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are the signs to look out for to see if your cat is about to strike: they\u2019ll have flattened ears, swishy tails and dilated pupils.\u00a0 Once you notice that your cat is exhibiting these behaviors, it\u2019s best to move out of the strike zone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Play_aggression_when_you_walk_by\"><\/span>Play aggression when you walk by<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Kittens and young cats learn how to hunt by playing rough with their litter-mates.\u00a0Sometimes, this type of play extends to humans when they walk by.\u00a0Sooner or later, kittens will actually learn to be more gentle when they play with humans \u2013 however. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a kitten wasn\u2019t socialized or was adopted too early, they might still play rough towards their adulthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Play aggression is most common for three-year-old (or younger) cats who are the only cats in the household and are left alone for a lot of time in the day.\u00a0 They start getting too enthusiastic about playing because they have a lot of pent up energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Status-related_aggression_when_you_walk_by\"><\/span>Status-related aggression when you walk by<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This happens if a cat who had play aggression in their youth continues to carry their roughness and aggression as they grow older.\u00a0 Status-related aggressive cats always want to dominate the people and situations around them.\u00a0 One minute they\u2019re asking for cuddles, but when you give it to them, they\u2019ll reward you with some sharp claws.\u00a0 It\u2019s best to not let your cat get to this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/are-black-cats-more-aggressive\/\">Are black cats more aggresive than other type of cats<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_I_stop_my_cat_from_being_aggressive_while_playing\"><\/span>How do I stop my cat from being aggressive while playing?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll tell you one thing that will never work: punishing your cat either physically or verbally.\u00a0Not only is it cruel to do that to any animal, it\u2019s also simply not the way cats learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best thing you can do to tame your cat\u2019s play aggression is to play with them.\u00a0Tire them out as much as possible.\u00a0 Just before they eat and before bedtime, set 20-30 minutes of playtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"My_cat_bitscratched_me_should_I_be_concerned\"><\/span>My cat bit\/scratched me, should I be concerned?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re dealing with a habitually aggressive cat, please seek veterinary help for you and your cat\u2019s sake.&nbsp; Some cats have been known to lash out because they are in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have been bit or scratched by your furry companion, especially if blood has been drawn, please seek medical help as soon as possible because cat bites can get infected quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_questions_about_cat_attacks\"><\/span>Common questions about cat attacks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_my_cat_aggressive_towards_guests\"><\/span>Why is my cat aggressive towards guests?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cats are creatures of habit.&nbsp; They just don\u2019t do very well in situations of change \u2013 either in their environment, routine, or even people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cats, especially those that have not been properly socialized will feel very threatened when there is a stranger in their house.&nbsp; At best, they\u2019ll either hide away, soil themselves, the \u201cintruder\u201d or wherever this stranger\u2019s scent still lingers when they walk away.&nbsp; At worst, they\u2019ll attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_my_younger_cat_bullying_my_older_cat\"><\/span>Why is my younger cat bullying my older cat?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are three reasons as to why a cat may attack another cat: redirected aggression, play aggression, and fear aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, the cats that fight with each other are intact same-sex cats.&nbsp; They fight because they\u2019re instinctually competing with each other during mating season.&nbsp; This is one of the reasons why it\u2019s a great practice to spay or neuter your cat before they are 1 year old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another reason why younger cats would fight older cats is if one of the cats think the other one is their inferior.&nbsp; Submissive cats are often bullied.&nbsp; The more submissive they become, the more the bully cats will want to keep bullying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_are_cat_love_bites\"><\/span>What are cat love bites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes, when you\u2019re having a particularly long petting session with your cat, they\u2019ll eventually bite your hand.&nbsp; This bite is often accompanied by a little lick from your cat.&nbsp; This is one of their ways to tell you that they would like to stop the petting session now.&nbsp; The lick is to soften the blow.&nbsp; Love bites should never be excessively painful.&nbsp; They also shouldn\u2019t break skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are injured by a cat bite, please seek medical help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In most cases, cats get aggressive when they have not had enough playtime to release their excess energy.&nbsp; When they get too rough during playtime, it\u2019s called play aggression.&nbsp; To prevent this, regularly tire your cat out during playtime: just before they have their meal and before bedtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img src=\"https:\/\/animalsa2z.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Why-does-my-cat-swipe-at-me-when-I-walk-by-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Why does my cat swipe at me when I walk by?\" class=\"wp-image-1627\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nothing is as bitter as the betrayal of your beloved furry companion swiping at your feet when you walk by.&nbsp; Here you are, minding your own business, walking around your<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":1626,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[28,8],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v16.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why does my cat swipe at me when I walk by? 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