Crazy Cat
Ally from North East, PA, asked:
Hi Miss Julie,
Why does my cat scratch my arms and not stop when I tell her no?
I know she is playing but she is a very aggressive player and it scares my friends away.
I also have terrible scars that bleed on my arms from it. Can you help me resolve this issue?
Thank you!
Hi Ally,
You’re right, your cat is just playing with you.
In order to get some information, I first connected with you and then from you to your cat.
She told me she learned to play that way as a tiny kitten. She thinks it’s all part of the game when you tell her to stop.
Have you ever noticed how your cat seems out of sorts when you’re angry or stressed? Pets and people for that matter, pick up on our energy and emulate us. It’s important to tell pets and humans what we WANT them to do. Asking them not to do something just reinforces the undesirable behavior. For example, if I said don’t think of the red elephant. What would you immediately do? You’d think of a red elephant!
So, in order to foster a feline behavior change, do your best to stay calm around her. Talk to your cat in a soft voice while you gently rub her. She showed me a scene of you petting her in long strokes from the top of her head, down her back and up her tail. This had a calming effect on her and made her relax.
And remember, you can always resort to putting her in a cat carrier if she won’t calm down. That may be a good option when your friends are there and/or until she learns her cat manners.
Hope this strategy helps.
P.S. She adores you!