Every time the cat runs over and sticks to us, showing affection, we immediately pick it up, let it comfortably lie in our arms, and gently stroke it. Of course, owners must have experienced this too: sometimes when stroking the cat, it clearly feels so comfortable that it starts purring, but the next second it suddenly turns around and bites you. This drives the owner crazy. The change is so quick! Does the cat dislike being touched? Or is it really a split-personality deep well ice?

　　This is indeed a dilemma. We can't analyze every cat’s emotional fluctuations and changes when being petted or explore the cat’s various brain circuits. Obviously, thinking about what to eat tonight is more interesting. But what you need to know is, you are not the only one who got bitten while kindly petting a cat. Therefore, some behaviorists began researching this strange behavior in cats. They even coined a special term to describe it: petting-induced aggression, also called petting-triggered aggressive behavior.

　　So, what exactly causes this?

　　1. The petting time is too long

　　Another reason for cat aggression triggered by petting is that owners fail to "effectively observe" the cat's mood changes and keep petting persistently. At this point, the cat's mood gradually shifts from happy to impatient within a certain period. It's like when someone you meet on the street pats your back: "Hey, isn't that so-and-so?!" After chatting for a bit, that person keeps patting your back, making your back hot. Aren't you annoyed? So the cat bites to tell us: enough, I've had my fun, now you should go buy some canned food.

　　2. Incorrect petting method

　　If the cat feels you are petting in a way it dislikes, it may bite you! Therefore, you need to understand where your cat likes and dislikes being touched. Although every cat’s preferences vary, there are general principles. When petting the cat, your actions must be gentle. Approach the cat slowly, then softly stroke it. Be careful not to suddenly pet it or pinch it hard, as this only makes the cat more tense, thinking you want to hurt it. To protect itself, the cat will counterattack, scratch you, and then run away.

　　Before petting, it’s best to check the cat’s mood. If the cat is very relaxed, not tense, and leisurely, you can slowly approach and gently stroke it. On the contrary, if the cat’s mood is fiery or angry, best keep your distance and don’t try to pet it. Don’t rush to approach or pet it during these special moments. Otherwise, you might become the enemy in the cat’s eyes and face resistance and attacks when you try to get close.

　　3. Physical discomfort

　　Cats are very good at hiding pain, so even if they feel unwell, it’s often not obvious! Therefore, if you touch a sensitive or painful spot while petting, naturally it will bite! So when bitten, pay attention if the cat only bites when touching a certain spot. If so, it’s best to take your cat to the vet for a thorough examination.

　　4. Accident: such as static electricity phenomenon

　　Well, this is a common phenomenon in dry and windy autumn. For some reason, before petting the cat, the owner rubs their hand on clothes so their hands become charged with static electricity. When the cat comes running for comfort and the owner reaches out with their statically charged hands to touch the cat’s soft fur, tragedy happens... The cat thinks the owner is pricking it with needles, so the poor owner’s hand gets wildly bitten. So we can ponder, how can we explain this phenomenon to the cat?

　　Of course, there may be other reasons:

　　1. This might be so-called status-related aggression, a way cats try to control the situation.

　　2. It could relate to some negative neural stimuli and effects of long-term being pampered, influencing cats in certain aspects.

　　3. Some cats may be especially subtle, signaling their unhappiness to humans by suddenly changing their attitude.

　　In summary, whatever the reason, the good news is this behavior doesn't necessarily mean you cannot have meaningful interaction with your cat. Don’t punish the cat for biting you, as this will only make things worse. Of course, if you are truly bitten and bleeding, it’s best to seek medical help.