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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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To: COBOL2Java

I've had abandoned dogs like this too. I can always tell when a dog has been handled since birth and one who has never been or rarely touched by a human.


41 posted on 08/29/2005 10:37:12 AM PDT by proudofthesouth (Boycotting movies since 1988)
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To: dinasour

Squirting with water does the trick too.


42 posted on 08/29/2005 10:38:32 AM PDT by proudofthesouth (Boycotting movies since 1988)
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To: proudofthesouth
Squirting with water does the trick too.

And has the advantage of not getting cat hair in your mouth.

43 posted on 08/29/2005 10:44:17 AM PDT by dinasour (Pajamahadeen)
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To: Brilliant

Cats simply have an internal instinct that they can’t control which is what causes them to become physically interested in anything that moves.These traits are uncontrollable and genetically acquired.So the cats themselves really aren’t to blame for anything.The genetically acquired instincts originally came from wild cats such as panthers, tigers, or lions who usually had no human contact in their entire lives.That’s why the physical violence from instinct is usually inflicted on us humans.Also and lastly there may be nothing else to inflict instinct on, especially if you live alone.


44 posted on 03/02/2008 12:57:03 PM PST by SoontobeOrnothologistcatluver
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Note: this topic is from 8/29/2005.

Thanks billorites.
from "CrAzY PeOpLe oNlY" FB page:

CrAzY PeOpLe oNlY

45 posted on 04/21/2012 6:29:32 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (FReepathon 2Q time -- https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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