If your cat hits your face, this post will show you some reasons why and what you can do about them.
So, why does my cat hit my face? Possible reasons why your cat hits your face are that it is showing affection, it is spreading its scent to you, it wants you to stop, or that it wants something from you.
Your cat might do it for a number of different possible reasons and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are some things you can consider when figuring out the main cause and there are some things you can do about it.
Why does my cat hit my face?
Below are some possible causes and what would make them more likely.
It is spreading its scent on to you
Cats have sweat glands on their paws. The reason why your cat hits your face could be that it is spreading its scent on to you. This would be more likely if your cat also rubs itself against you when it does it.
It wants something from you
It could also be the case that it does it because it wants something from you such as food or for you to pet it. This would be more likely if your cat does it before getting fed and less afterward or if it hits your face when you stop petting it.
Related: why does my cat press its paws on me?
It wants you to stop petting or holding it
Another possible cause is that your cat wants you to pet or hold it differently. This would be more likely if your cat hits your face when you pet or hold it in a certain way. 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 attack my leg?
It’s showing you affection
The reason could also be that your cat is showing affection to you. This would also be more likely if it shows positive body language such as purring or kneading.
Things to consider
Below are some things to consider when figuring out the main reason why your cat has been doing it.
If your cat has always hit your face
If your cat did not always hit your face, it would help to consider what else happened when your cat first started doing it. If it started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in the way you pet or hold it or that it become more comfortable around you causing it to start showing you affection.
If your cat always hit your face
If your cat seems to hit your face more in certain situations, it could also be the case that the timing has something to do with it. For example, if your cat hits your face when you hold it, the cause could be that it does not like being held.
What to do about your cat hitting your face
Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.
Pet and hold it more gently
Since your cat might be hitting your face because it wants you to pet or hold 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.
Let it do it
It is not uncommon for cats to put their paws on their owners. If your cat has been showing positive body language when doing it, it would likely be ok to allow your cat to continue doing it.
Why does my cat attack me with its paw?
The cause could be that it wants you to stop doing something. This would be more likely if your cat does it when you are petting it or holding it. The cause could also be that it is trying to get something from you such as food.