Sometimes cats are so mean because of stress associated with people and other pets. They might also have trauma from abuse in their past. Whatever the case may be, there are a few things you can do to get your cat to not be so mean. Training and patience are key with this.
Why Are Cats So Mean?
While it might seem like cats can be so mean at times, most cats are not actually that mean. However, some cats can be mean; and there are a few reasons for this.
1. Not Socialized As Kittens
It’s really important that cats are socialized as kittens in order to get used to people and other pets. Kittens that don’t spend time with humans never develop a trust in them. They simply don’t know that humans aren’t going to harm them, so they get defensive and lash out.
Older cats can be socialized still, it just might take longer. There are a lot of success stories where people were able to socialize their cats through patience and persistance.
2. Abuse
If you adopted your cat, they might have had a traumatic past. Some cats experienced abuse in their previous homes that make them fearful and defensive around humans.
Some cats were even strays in their previous lives. Living on the street can be hard on a cat. They might have picked up behaviors to help them survive that make them seem so mean.
This behavior is only normal; they’re reacting in a learned and understandable way. Be patient with your cat in these circumstances. You’ll have to gain their trust over time by being kind and gentle.
3. You’re Taunting Your Cat
Unlike dogs, cats are independent creatures. Their self-sufficiency is part of what makes them such good pets. But it also means you have to respect their space and boundaries.
Constantly trying to pick up, play with, or engage your cat when they want to be left alone is a bad idea. Too much unwanted interaction will make your cat angry and want to lash out.
So if your cat is being mean, ask yourself if there’s something you’re doing to instigate it.
4. Another Pet is Antagonizing Your Cat
Even if you respect your cat’s boundaries, another pet might not be. Dogs and cats interact differently, and while your dog might just innocently want to play, it might come across as aggressive to your cat.
If this is the case, make sure your cat has places they can go and be undisturbed by the dog.
Cats are territorial animals, and having other cats in the home might create a hostile environment. If you have multiple cats and notice they don’t get along, this might be the source of the problem.
Your cat being mean to you could be backlash from the stress of another cat being around. Try separating the cats into different areas of the home and see if that improves your cat’s mood.
5. Stress
General stress might cause your cat to be mean to you or other pets. We already mentioned the stress of being antagonized by other people or pets, but there are other possible stressors that could be the root cause.
New sights and smells can be disruptive to a cat. Moving homes or rearranging furniture or bringing in new items can be stressful to a cat.
Not only that, but boredom and lack of toys can surprisingly cause stress. Cats not getting their basic needs met, like clean water and consistent food, can be stressful as well. Not having a clean litter box is a common source of stress, and a big reason cats pee outside their litter box.
What Do Cats Do When They’re Being Mean?
When cats are being mean they’ll seem angry or fearful. They will sometimes hiss and growl with their ears flat against their head.
You can usually tell when a cat is in a bad mood by their eyes. Slightly squinted eyes and a taut face are dead giveaways.
Running away or hiding often go along with their mean behavior. This is a fear response where your cat is trying to get away from what is stressing them out. Always leave your cat alone when they do this.
Sometimes cats will attack (claw or bite) you seemingly out of nowhere. Chances are, there were warning signs you just didn’t notice.
How to Stop a Cat From Being So Mean
There are some things you can do to make your cat less mean. However, you may have to accept that your cat’s mood and actions might be mostly outside of your control.
One thing you can do is try to read your cat’s body language and give them space if they need it. If your cat seems angry or keeps trying to get away, those are sure signs she wants to be left alone.
You can also train your cat to not be as aggressive. One common training technique owners use is “gentle”, where you train your cat to not claw at you or bite you.
In the end, patience is key here. Encouraging your cat to be less mean will take time to see changes.
