Is it normal my cat scratches and bites me to get attention

I have a neutered male cat, he is the cutest thing, that's why I put up with all his shit, oh and he's a tripawd, so yeah what kinda human would I be if I abandoned him. Anyway, as of this year, whenever he wants to eat or go out, he jumps on me and bites me or scratches me and it causes some serious bruising. When I stretch my toes out of the blanket in the morning, he automatically scratches it. You can imagine my reaction. Other times he is as sweet as ever...it just seems weird to me that in 0.2 seconds he can just switch into attack mode!

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71% Normal
Based on 14 votes (10 yes)
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Comments ( 3 )
  • leggs91200

    I never understood why neuter/spay calmed down animals but then figured the animal thinks, "If the owner is pissed off enough to do THAT, I better watch my step".

    I used to have some un-spayed female cat for a few weeks. And yes, they are a hand full.
    I ended up dropping it off at the local pound/shelter/whatever and it was one less headache.

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  • Boojum

    Is he neutered? He should be - for your sake, for his sake, and for the sake of all the unwanted kittens he might help produce.

    Neutered toms can still be obnoxious little shits when the mood takes them, but reduced testosterone makes them more pleasant to live with.

    Some people say that cats are untrainable, but my experience is that they are good at learning what behaviour gets them the reward they want. For example, we keep the cat treats in the same cupboard as the flour, and I make bread every other day on average. One of our cats picked up on the fact that the beeps of me setting the timer on the bread machine are always followed by me opening the cupboard where the treats are kept, so whenever he hears the beeps, he comes running from wherever he is in the house.

    It sounds to me like you've inadvertently trained your cat (or he's trained you) to give him what he wants when he attacks you. I suggest you try to break this link in his head by responding in a way he'll find negative when he goes manic: shout at him, shove him away (gently, but firmly), and don't immediately give him what he wants.

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  • Cornflower

    Cute or not, don't put up with his shit. That's how both children and animals learn to be assholes. You're the boss. Act like it.

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