Skip to content

Why does my cat growl when I touch him?

Why does my cat growl when I touch him?

When cats display aggression when touched or petted, it can stem from many different motivations. The most common include: Fear/defense: A fearful cat may exhibit dilated pupils, ears turning back, or a twitching tail. In this situation, your cat may growl, hiss or swat at the person reaching, touching or petting.

What does it mean when a kitten growls?

Growling is another sound cats make when they are angry or want to scare off a potential threat. Kittens, as well as older cats, may growl when cornered. They’ll hunch their body and puff out their tail and the rest of their fur. A low-pitched growl is usually a warning, telling the threat it needs to back off.

Why does my cat growl when I pet him?

“It implies unhappiness from annoyance, anger, aggression or fear. It is a signal to back off. Growling can occur from a variety of triggers. Some cats can be food or toy aggressive and growl to show possession. If a cat is annoyed from physical contact, he or she may growl.” What about when cats growl at each other?

Why does my cat not want to be touched?

Some cats just don’t like being touched, but if yours normally does and then suddenly doesn’t, consider pain as a possible cause. As previously mentioned, a painful cat won’t want to be touched and this often leads to aggression.

What should you do if your cat makes a growling noise?

We’ve already established that cat growling is a warning noise, which means — you guessed it — leave your cat alone. Do not try to comfort him or, worse, “do not try to scold or reprimand the cat, especially with physical contact or hand gestures,” advises Dr. Gibbons.

What happens when you touch a newborn kitten?

Mama cat licks her babies to put her own signature scent on them, according to Animal Planet. When you touch a newborn kitten, you make it smell different to its mother. Some cats aren’t phased by humans touching their young, but other felines become agitated.