猫が突然飼い主を攻撃するのはなぜ？

July 28, 2014 • jaime

猫が突然飼い主を攻撃するのはなぜ？
まるで『ジョーズ』のワンシーンのようです。薄暗い廊下を歩くときや、下に潜んでいるかもしれない家具のそばを通るとき、背景にあの音楽が流れているのを想像してしまうかもしれません。無事に通り過ぎたと思ったその瞬間、隠れ場所から飛び出して脚に飛びついてきます。子猫らしい遊び心からではなく、まるで血を出させようとするかのような凶暴な勢いで。
 
この光景に心当たりがあるなら、あなたは何の前触れもなく攻撃してくる猫と暮らしているのかもしれません。撫でている最中に突然攻撃してくる猫もいます。さっきまでリラックスして幸せそうだったのに、次の瞬間には怒って荒々しくなり、手が血だらけになってしまうこともあります。
 
猫が理由もなく攻撃的な行動をとる原因はいくつかあります。原因を理解することで、この猫の行動上の問題をどう解決していくか判断しやすくなります。
 
健康上の問題
何らかの理由で体調を崩している猫は、急に性格が変わることがあります。以前は優しく愛情深かった猫が、よそよそしく攻撃的になることもあります。けがをしている猫は、痛む場所に触れられると攻撃することがあります。猫の行動に医学的な原因がないか、獣医師に診てもらいましょう。  
 
社会化不足
幼いうちに人に定期的に触れられて育たなかった子猫は、人との適切な関わり方を知らない猫に育つことがあります。人を怖がったり、人との正しい接し方がわからなかったりすることで、攻撃性につながる場合があります。
 
縄張り行動
猫が自分の縄張りを侵入者から守ろうとしている可能性があります。このような場合、その猫は人間を仲間として受け入れていません。人を、自分の縄張りを侵す敵だと見なしています。
 
知覚過敏症
知覚過敏症は、猫に見られる不安障害として認められています。知覚過敏症の猫は、背骨からしっぽにかけて触れられることに過度に敏感です。背中を撫でると、筋肉のけいれんを起こしたり、攻撃的になったり、幻覚を見ているように見えたりすることがあります。専門家もこの症状を完全には解明していませんが、てんかん発作の一種であるという説と、強迫性障害の一形態であるという説があります。
 
攻撃してくる猫を落ち着かせる方法
猫の攻撃性が病気によるものではない場合は、人のそばでより安心して過ごせるよう、自宅でできる対策があります。猫が隠れて安心でき、人から少し離れて休める退避場所を用意しましょう。屋根付きの猫用ベッドや背の高いキャットタワーは、猫の避難場所として適しています。その場所に猫がいるときは、そっとしておきましょう。猫の好きなおやつを与えながら、一緒に過ごす時間を作ってください。撫でながらおやつを与えることで、撫でられることと良いことを結び付けられるようにします。猫を叩いたり怒鳴ったりしてはいけません。それでは恐怖心や攻撃的な行動を強めるだけです。
 
自宅でこれらをすべて試しても猫がまだ攻撃的な場合は、獣医師に相談してください。獣医師は、猫の行動上の問題を改善する薬を処方できます。また、猫の性格や行動に合わせて、より具体的なアドバイスをしてくれる猫の行動専門家を紹介してもらえることもあります。

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コメント(6)

  1. Doreen

    We have had our cat 4 four years, we have had him since he was six weeks old. He is a sweet affectionate cat. My husband works from home and have become real buddies. The cat follows him everywhere. My husband is the main caregiver, grooms him, cuts his nails, changes his litter everyday with no issues. In the last 2 month's and as recently as two days ago he has tried to attack my husband for no reason. This last episode was very strange. My husband came home the cat was lying on the bed, my husband as normal petted him and he started to purr and proceeded to turn his belly for rubs as he always does. Husband came to the kitchen with kitty in tow and gave him treats. Husband was going on with his day and kitty walked under the dining room table to groom. My husband then went to clean out his box (which he has done for 4 years with no issues) and all heck broke loose. Cat started growling and hissing very violently puff tail and all and chased him into the bedroom and kept him trapped in there for an hour! continuing to growl and trying relentlessly to get into the room. I arrived home and he was back ti his playful self. The very next day I was home and again my husband went to clean his box and he started again this time I was able to defuse the situation but if I wasn’t home he would have done it again. I know some of you reading this may think my husband would have done something to get this reaction but this is not the case. We are both huge animal lovers and my hubby is kitty best friend. Ive always said that the kitty is addicted to him because he works from home. Now my husband is getting surgery and has to recover at home and now wants the cat gone. What could be causing this?

  2. Mrs Sykes

    My cat did the exact same with me on Xmas day after cleaning his litter. He’d only been with us for 2 wks we rescued him. Everything has been fine since & he’s settled in nicely.
    But he has just attacked me yesterday again 5 mins after doing his litter. He’s been fine this morning was brushing round my legs a minute later after I’d walked to the other end kitchen he came at me again hissing & teeth bared my husband managed to get him away from me

  3. Ginny

    My cat is lovesble and doesnt fight with other cats and gets along with my dog. But tonight is the 3rd time she attacked me. I was petting her and she loved it and was purring and rolling with her head down and getting excited and out of nowhere she attacked a d I have 3 punctures in my hand from her teeth and 2 punctures from her claws. Out of reflex I popped her on her hind quarters and yelled. She then almost looked cornered and acted as if she was ready to attack again. It kind of scared me. She is 6 and have had her since she was a few months old. It is almost like she gets over excited. Sometimes I walk away before she gets that excited. But this time I forgot. I feel bad I hit her, but it was a reaction. It wasn't hard. But it isn't something you should ever do. 😞

  4. Francie J

    I don't know what to do any more. My cat kept attacking me this morning. He flew across the room and tried to land on my chest. I pushed him away and he went for my hands then feet. I have two puncture wounds. I picked him up and put him on our screened in porch. He looked so scary as he went for me, His rage was very frightening. His ears flattened and his eyes became fully dilated. He is four years old and this is not the first unprovoked incident. I don't know what to do.. It's so sad.

  5. Nalan

    Hi Doreen,
    I lived same situation this week.
    I don't understand, like a we turned the switch and she becomes angry and terrified. She attacked me two times. What is your situation now? Did you find what is the problems?

  6. JIM WINTERFIELD

    The first time my cat Benny attacked me was after I came home from twelve days in the hospital . It really shocked me as his ears went back and he advanced toward me , I did not expect this . It has happened a few times since and usually draws blood ...

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