If your cat hits you when you pet it, this post will show you why and what you can do about it.
So, why does my cat hit me when I pet it? Possible reasons why your cat hits you, when you pet it, are that it wants you to stop petting it, intimidation, it wants you to pet it differently, or that it is showing affection back to you.
Your cat might actually hit you, when you pet it, for multiple different reasons and it could be because of a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about it
Why does my cat hit me when I pet it?
Below are reasons why your cat could be doing it and what would make them more likely.
Your cat wants you to stop
It might be the case that your cat puts hits you because it wants you to stop petting it. This would be more likely if it shows other signs of wanting you to stop such as pulling away from you, hissing or getting agitated.
Your cat wants you to pet it more
It might also be the case that your cat does it because it wants you to pet it more. This would be more likely if it rubs itself against you, purrs and brushes its head against your hand.
Related: Why does my cat attack my hand?
Your cat wants you to pet it differently
Another possible reason is that your cat does not like the way you are petting it. This would be more likely if your cat rubs its head against you in a different way to the way that you are petting it. Often, cats do this when people are petting their heads and backs but they actually want their chin to be rubbed.
Related: Why does my cat hit me with its tail?
Injury
It could also be the case that your cat has an injury and you are hurting it by petting it. This would be more likely if your cat has started doing it suddenly, it doesn’t like it when you pet it in a certain spot and if your cat tries to make you stop petting it.
Your cat is showing affection back to you
Another possible cause is that your cat is showing affection back to you. This would be more likely if your cat seems to be ok with the way you are petting it and it also starts purring.
Things to consider about your cat hitting you when you pet it
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always hits you when you pet it
If your cat did not always hits you, when being petted, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it might be due to things such as a change in the way that you pet it or getting injured.
What is different when your cat does not hit you
It would also help to consider what is different when it hits you. For example, if it only hits you when you pet it in a certain way, it would be more likely that your cat does it because it either likes or dislikes the way that you are petting it.
The body language it shows
It would also help to consider the body language it shows when you are petting it. If it shows signs of being agitated such as wagging its tail and moving away, it would be more likely that it hits you because it wants you to stop. Whereas, if it does things such as purr and rub its head into you, it would be more likely that it likes the way you are petting it.
What to do about your cat hitting you when you pet it
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Make sure to pet it the right way
Since your cat could be doing it because it wants you to pet it differently, it would help to make sure that you have petting it appropriately. It would help to pet it gently, and cats often do not like it when your stroke their entire backs. Often, cats prefer to be rubbed below the chin.
Be aware of when your cat wants you to stop
It would also help to be away of when your cat wants you to stop. Often, cats will want to be petted a little bit but will quickly become agitated. When your cat starts to show signs of being agitated, such as pulling away, it would help to either pet it differently or to stop petting it.