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Why does my cat hit me?

If your cat hits you, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.

So, why does my cat hit me? Likely reasons why your cat hits you are that it is telling you to stop petting it, it is playing, or that it is trying to get something from you.

There are actually a number of possible reasons why your cat hits you and it might be due to a combination of reasons. However, there are some things you can do about it and there are some things you can consider to help figure out the main cause.

Why does my cat hit me?

Below are likely reasons why your cat does it and what would make them more likely.

To spread its scent

Cats have sweat glands on their paws and their tails have a strong scent on them anyway. If your cat rubs its tail on you, it is likely that it is rubbing its scent on to you and showing you affection. If your cat hits you with its paws by pressing its paws into you, a part of the cause could also be that your cat is rubbing its scent on to you.

Intimidation

The cause might also be that your cat is intimidated. This would be more likely if your cat hits you when you interact with it forcefully and if it also scratches, hisses and tries to move away from you.

It wants you to stop petting it

If your cat hits you when you are petting it, 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.

It 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.

It is playing

Cats will often hit their owners when they are playing and this could also be a part of the reason why your cat has been doing it. This would be more likely if your cat does it when it is full of energy, if it also does things such as roll around and if it also plays with other things at the same time.

It is showing affection

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.

It wants attention

Another possible cause is that your cat is trying to get extra attention from you. This would be more likely if your cat does it more when you have not been giving it much attention or when it is sat next to you and it seems to want you to pet it.

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.

If your cat has always hit you

If your cat did not always hit you, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started hitting you. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in the way you have been interacting with it.

What is different when your cat does not hit you

If your cat seems to hit you more at a certain time, it would also help to consider what is different when your cat hits you. For example, if it does it when it is sitting with you, the cause would be more likely to be that it is being affectionate and trying to get you to pet it. Whereas, if it does it when you are already petting it, the cause might be that it is telling you to stop petting it which would be more likely if it also flicks its tail and starts scratching.

What to do about your cat hitting you

Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.

Avoid intimidating it

As mentioned above, it might be the case that your cat has been hitting you due to getting intimidated or an issue with the way you have been petting it. Instead, it would help to be calm with your cat and to pet it gently. Often, cats prefer to be rubbed below the chin instead of getting a full back rub.

Redirect its focus

Another option would be to redirect your cat’s focus towards something else when it starts hitting you. Things to redirect its attention towards could include toys or to get it to sit somewhere else.

Be aware of its body language

It would also help to monitor your cat’s body language. If your cat starts to do things such as stop purring, flick its tail, and move away from you, it is likely that your cat wants you to stop petting it.

Let it do it

If your cat seems to be doing it due to being affectionate and it does not also do things such as scratch or hiss, another option would be to simply let your cat continue doing it.

Why does my cat hit me with its paws?

The reason why your cat hits you with its paws is likely to be that it wants you to stop petting it, it is playing or that it is showing affection. It would help to consider the body language your cat shows when it does it.

Why does my cat hit me when I stop petting it?

Your cat might hit you when you stop petting it because it wants you to continue petting it. Another cause could be that it is feeling intimidated which would be more likely if it also scratches you when it does it.

Why does my cat hit me when I pet it?

The reason why your cat hits you while you pet it could be that it wants you to stop petting it or that it is playing with you. It would help to consider the body language your cat shows when it does it.

Why does my cat hit me in the face?

Your cat might hit your face for attention or because it is playing. It would help to consider the timing of when your cat does it and if it shows other signs of playing such as rolling around.

Why does my cat hit me with its tail?

If your cat rubs its tail against you, while it is standing next to you, it would be more likely that your cat is showing you affection and rubbing its scent onto you. If your cat flicks its tail onto you repeatedly, it is often a sign that it is becoming agitated.

Why does my cat hit me when I am sleeping?

If your cat hits you while you are sleeping in the morning, the cause would be likely to be that it is doing it because it is hungry. Whereas, if it does it during the day, it could be that your cat wants attention from you or that it is playing.

Why does my cat hit me at night?

Cats naturally have more energy at night because it is when they naturally hunt things. The reason why your cat hits you at night is likely to be that it is playing. Other possible causes are that your cat is anxious due to something in its environment at night.

Why does my cat hit me and run away?

The reason why your cat hits you and runs away is likely to be that your cat is either playing with you or that it wants you to stop petting it. It would help to consider the body language of your cat when it does it.

Why does my cat hit me in the eye?

Your cat might hit you in the eye because it is playing which would be more likely if it does it when it is sitting with you and it is also full of energy. If your cat hits your eye when you push your face towards your cat, it would be more likely that your cat does it because of being intimidated.