Why did my cat bite me? Is it aggression or stress from other cats?

It may be due to illness or injury. It can also be redirected (or displaced) aggression. This is when one cat is unable to directly respond to a perceived threat and "vents" on whoever is closest. This is usually an owner or another pet. Never handle or grab your cat if she is displaying aggressive tendencies. This can lead to a serious bite or scratch. Schedule an exam with your vet to rule out medical causes. If they are indoor cats, provide a ' cool down' period by separating them. Keep stray or strange cats away from windows or doors and out of your yard. Control what your cat sees by closing doors or drawing the blinds. Consider using pheromone products to decrease anxiety/stress level in the house. Search www.pet360.com for pheromone products.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. By far the most common cause of biting in cats is anxiety. Has anything in her life changed recently? New person or pet in the house? New routine? Did you move? Painters or construction in or around your home? And sometimes we can never identify a cause. If she is an indoor cat, it is unlikely to be infectious in nature. Try the following which are all shown to reduce anxiety in cats. If these do not help, talk to your vet about prescription behavior modification medications that can help.

 -Feliway- calming cat pheromone- comes in many forms from pet stores or online. 

- Adding a litter box. Studies show that the ideal number of litter boxes for a home is #of cats +1 . This is regardless of how clean you keep his current litter box.

 - making sure she has plenty of “high space”. The safest (and therefore least anxiety-inducing) place for a cat is UP. If you don’t already, get a cat tree or put up a shelf or two that she can go perch on. Best wishes to you and Mitzi!

Cats are very sensitive to other cats in their territory. Unlike most dogs that will accept another dog into their house relatively easily, for cats it can be a different story. Your cat is upset by the presence of the strange cat in your house. Animals behave that way sometimes for reasons that are unclear, taking their anger out on you. She may smell the foster cat on you. I would definitely keep them separated from each other and give her some time and space to possibly accept the fosters presence. Don't get hurt! I wouldn't force your attention on her for now. Maybe in a few days she'll be easier to approach.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Brett. She is a beautiful girl! I'm wondering if the move has caused this change in behavior. Moving is very stressful for a cat, and that can lead to aggression. I'd try using Feliway diffusers around the home. These release calming pheromones that can help relax her. I'd pair that with a Sentry calming collar. This will release calming pheromones when in contact with her skin. If this doesn't help, then I'd have her seen by a vet for a health check. I hope this helps!

Cats can bite when they are feeling stressed, ill, or in pain. If Mason's behavior started suddenly it is best to schedule a veterinary exam to make sure there isn't an injury or illness causing him to act out aggressively. If he checks out healthy, then looking for causes of stress such as petting him when he wants to be alone, new people or pets in the house, or even limited access to resources. Making sure Mason has a place to hide and rest away from traffic and noise, access to his own food, water, and litter can all help reduce stress. Pheromone diffusers in shared rooms may also help decrease stress. Finally, playing with a toy, or only petting him when he approaches you may help Mason feel more comfortable with you and reduce biting incidences.

I am sorry to hear about Memphis. Sometimes cats will react to a stressful situation by transferring their frustration/aggression to those nearby. I would be sure your kitty has a safe area at home where he feels like he can hide/get away if wanted and he can easily access his food/water/ and litterbox for the next few days. I would consider picking up a Feliway pheremone diffuser such as this one which releases pheremones which can be calming to anxious kitties. I would also consider a calming supplement such as Composure or Zylkene. Your vet may carry these or you can order them online or find them in some petstores https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetri-science-composure-feline-bite-sized-chews

Cats can often exhibit misdirected aggression. It is very difficult to know what may have caused it. I recommend using feliway diffusers and spray around the house to try to help calm them. Using Feliway wipes directly on each cat immediately prior to reintroducing them may help. Feliway is a pheromone product that can help woh anxiety and aggression in cats. https://www.feliway.com/us/