You’re enjoying a peaceful moment with your cat, and then — ouch! — it bites your hand.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
What might seem like aggression or unpredictability is often something more instinctual, according to experts and organizations like Cats Protection, as cited by the newspaper Express.
This behavior, commonly referred to as "petting aggression," is particularly common in young cats. TikTok creator Oh Charlie Cat talks about the phenomenon in a viral video that has amassed over 26 million views.
Rather than being an act of malice, this reaction is tied to a cat's natural instincts. Cats Protection explains that excessive excitement or misplaced hunting instincts often trigger this behavior.
When a cat "hugs" your arm with its paws while biting and kicking with its hind legs, it’s displaying a typical hunting behavior. This is an instinctual reaction, not a calculated attack.
To address this, experts recommend providing toys — items specifically designed for cats to bite and kick without involving human hands. These toys offer an outlet for their natural instincts while keeping your hands safe.
Cat owners reacting to the viral TikTok video emphasize the importance of reading their pet’s body language. Common signs of overstimulation include:
Flicking or twitching tail.
Flattened ears.
Sudden changes in purring or vocalizations.
Recognizing these cues can help you stop petting before your cat becomes overstimulated.
