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Study launched on why cats attack: Animal experts study why cats sometimes bite owners when stroked
BBC News ^ | August 25, 2005

Posted on 08/29/2005 6:12:11 AM PDT by billorites

Researchers at the University of Lincoln say petting aggression is a common problem, with more than 20% of household cats showing it.

They are looking for cat owners who have experienced aggressive behaviour from their pets to video their experiences for the study.

Theories for aggression include boredom or the need to reassert control.

We want to see occasions when it does as well as when it does not happen
Professor Daniel Mills

Professor Daniel Mills said: "Many owners are bitten or threatened by their cats when they play with them or when they are stroking them.

"There are many theories as to why so-called 'petting aggression' occurs.

"It could be a sign that the cat is simply getting fed up with the owner, or it could be a response to the ecstasy of being stroked, or it could be the cat trying to assert control.

"The truth is that we simply don't know the reason for this behaviour.

"The aim of this study is to look more closely at exactly when such aggression occurs so that we can help prevent it and treat it more effectively."

He said his team wanted to gather video evidence of cats attacking owners.

"We want to see occasions when it does as well as when it does not happen," he said.


TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: cats; petting; stroking
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1 posted on 08/29/2005 6:12:12 AM PDT by billorites
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To: billorites

It says University of Lincoln. Where's that? I hope not in the US. I certainly don't want my tax dollars spent on cat psychologists.


2 posted on 08/29/2005 6:14:41 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: billorites

Swatting at your hand to say "no more" is one thing. Biting is another.


3 posted on 08/29/2005 6:14:48 AM PDT by TBP
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To: billorites

My tax dollars at work...


4 posted on 08/29/2005 6:15:27 AM PDT by El Laton Caliente (NRA Member & GUNSNET.NET Moderator)
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To: billorites
Animal experts study why cats sometimes bite owners when stroked

Because they don't like it.

There, problem solved. Where's my grant money?

5 posted on 08/29/2005 6:15:49 AM PDT by Tennessee_Bob ("Nac Mac Feegle! The Wee Free Men! Nae king! Nae quin! Nae laird! We willna be fooled again!")
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To: billorites

Cats can be evil. I've owned a few.
They plot for your death as soon as they can work the can openner./sarcasm off/

Cats are not pack animals like dogs. If you tick them off, they will fight back and don't want to please you at all.


6 posted on 08/29/2005 6:16:54 AM PDT by netmilsmom (God blessed me with a wonderful husband.)
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To: billorites

Maybe it's because they're cats and that's what they do.


7 posted on 08/29/2005 6:17:52 AM PDT by Larry Lucido (Why are we "freepers"? Shouldn't we be "freereps"? Are we dyslexic?)
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To: billorites
It's simple, really:
Cats are evil.

;^)

8 posted on 08/29/2005 6:18:08 AM PDT by Constitution Day
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To: billorites

I have a half-burmese, half-siamese who is playful, but very serious about his play.

He likes to wrestle with me, but after a minute he gets down to it- ears back, tail thrashing- and he grabs and bites. It's like not play anymore, but a serious struggle for survival to him. And he won't run, or try to slowly retreat, even after I push him away or give him a whack. He will stand and keep attacking my hand or, if I turn away, my ankle. Never seen anything quite like it.


9 posted on 08/29/2005 6:18:47 AM PDT by Gefreiter ("Are you drinking 1% because you think you're fat?")
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To: eyespysomething
"The truth is that we simply don't know the reason for this behaviour.

Haven't we already determined that the problem with your cat's aggression is simply brain damage?

10 posted on 08/29/2005 6:18:54 AM PDT by SittinYonder (Nemo me impune lacessit)
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To: billorites
Uh...I'd like to know why. I had a cat once that woke in the middle of the night and waged hell on anything that moved. Since it's not my tax dollars being used...It's ok.

AND.... I wanna know why dogs eat grass...
11 posted on 08/29/2005 6:20:23 AM PDT by Dallas59 (“You love life, while we love death.” - Al-Qaeda / Democratic Party)
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To: Tennessee_Bob

I am still waiting for my check for NOT growing corn.


12 posted on 08/29/2005 6:20:56 AM PDT by Holicheese (Would you like a beer? No thanks, I will have a bud light.)
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Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: billorites
Sheesh...WHO are the idiots that PAY to have other idiots study this sort of thing?! Suffice to say....anybody who has a cat KNOWS when kitty is tired of being stroked. THAT is the CLUE to leave the stinking cat ALONE!
14 posted on 08/29/2005 6:25:19 AM PDT by hiredhand (My kitty disappeared. NOT the rifle!)
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Comment #15 Removed by Moderator

To: TBP
Swatting at your hand to say "no more" is one thing. Biting is another.

See, there's the problem. Cats don't have hands!

16 posted on 08/29/2005 6:27:42 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Many Democrats are not weak Americans. But nearly all weak Americans are Democrats.)
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To: COBOL2Java

No, but they can be pretty forceful with those little paws of theirs when they want to tell my wife and me that they've had enough. We understand that. Biting is NOT acceptable.


17 posted on 08/29/2005 6:30:12 AM PDT by TBP
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To: netmilsmom
Good aphorism:
Dogs have owners.
Cats have staff.

18 posted on 08/29/2005 6:30:20 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Many Democrats are not weak Americans. But nearly all weak Americans are Democrats.)
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To: Brilliant
I certainly don't want my tax dollars spent on cat psychologists.

Frankly, I would rather spend my tax dollars on cats that the Palestinians.

Cats are a lot more predictably and true blue than Palis (which is saying more about Palis than cats).

19 posted on 08/29/2005 6:30:41 AM PDT by Dark Skies ("The sleeper must awaken!")
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To: TBP

I think a lot has to do with how much they were handled as kittens. I've had several cats throughout my life, and those I adopted after their kitten years had widedly different responses to physical touch: some responded well, some were nearly feral (i.e., don't touch me). Those I adopted as kittens and who received lots of gentle handling grew to be pretty mellow cats.


20 posted on 08/29/2005 6:33:35 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Many Democrats are not weak Americans. But nearly all weak Americans are Democrats.)
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