Status

Our online vet service is live

Why Do Cats Slap? 4 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

cat slap being angry and funny

VET APPROVED

Dr. Paola Cuevas Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Paola Cuevas

Veterinarian, MVZ

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

One of the funniest and most fascinating things cats do is the mysterious “slap”. It’s both hilarious to watch and a little bit concerning—why do cats suddenly take a paw to your hand, shoulder, or even face?

While it can be difficult to pinpoint why your cat is slapping you (after all, they don’t exactly say it out loud), there are some common explanations for why cats do this. Here are four typical reasons why cats slap:

Divider_Cat Paws

The 4 Reasons Why Cats Slap:

1. Your Cat Wants to Play

This may come as a surprise, but cats can’t talk. So, to get your attention, your feline friend has to resort to the next best thing: slapping you! As funny as that sounds, there’s actually a lot of truth to it. Cats are natural hunters, and they love to play. By slapping you with its paw, your cat is actually trying to get your attention so that the two of you can have a fun game of chase!

As a pet owner, it’s important to learn your furry friend’s signals and cues. If you notice that your cat is slapping at you, chances are it’s trying to tell you that it wants to play.


2. Your Cat Wants Attention

As independent as they may seem, cats can be very needy creatures, and they need a lot of affection from their owners. If your kitty feels neglected or ignored, it might try to get your attention by slapping you.

This is especially true if your cat used to get a lot of attention from you, but now they feel like they’re getting the cold shoulder.

It’s always important to take the time to give your cat lots of love and cuddle time so that they don’t feel neglected. However, if you only give attention to your cat after they slap you, you will see more and more of this behavior. It’s best to give them attention when they are calm or offering other gentler cues while trying to interact with you.

manx cat lying on the floor
Image Credit: Seattle Cat Photo, Shutterstock

3. Your Cat Is Stressed

Cats can become stressed out for a variety of reasons, including changes in their environment, the presence of other cats or animals, and even certain noises. When cats are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, they may resort to slapping as an outlet for their emotions.

If you think your cat might be feeling particularly stressed, it’s important to take the time to understand why. Are there any changes in their environment that could be causing distress? Is your cat feeling threatened by another animal or person in the household?

Once you have identified and addressed the underlying cause of your cat’s stress, you can start to work on calming them down through positive reinforcement and relaxation techniques.


4. Your Cat Is Frustrated or Needs Some Space

Cats can become frustrated for a variety of reasons, including not having access to food or toys, being overwhelmed by too many people in the house, or simply not getting enough exercise and playtime. Cats can also get slappy if humans insist on touching them when they don’t appreciate it or simply need some space.

In this case, cats may resort to slapping as an outlet for their frustration. It’s important to pay attention to your cat’s cues in order to better understand its behavior. If you think that your cat is becoming frustrated due to a lack of exercise and enrichment, try offering them a new toy or spending some quality time playing together.

We see the same behavior in everything from dogs to people. Without an outlet for their energy and emotions, cats (and other species) may resort to odd behavior as a way to express themselves.

Likewise pushing for interactions and physical contact when cats just wish to be left alone will likely result in a slap that can quickly escalate into scratches or bites if you insist.

cat attacking human hand
Image Credit: Vaclav Sonnek, Shutterstock

Divider_Cat Paws

Tips to Curb Your Cat’s Slapping Behavior

Now that you know some of the most common reasons why cats slap, it’s important to take some steps in order to curb this behavior.

Quality Time and Attention

One of the best things you can do as a cat owner is to give your furball quality time and attention. Spending a few minutes each day playing with your cat, petting them if they are receptive to it, or just talking to them can make all the difference.


Provide Toys for Exercise

Providing toys like scratching posts, balls, climbing cat threes, catnip toys, etc. can help keep cats entertained and give them an outlet for their energy. This can help reduce slapping, as well as other unwanted behaviors.


Establish & Also Respect Boundaries

It’s also important to set boundaries with your cat in terms of what is acceptable behavior. If your cat tries to swat or bite you, calmly say “no” and gently push them away. If they insist, you can also simply remove yourself from the scenario. They may not understand your words, but they will eventually understand that this behavior is not tolerated.

If your cat is slapping when you insist on touching them and they wish to be left alone, then yu should learn to respect their boundaries before this escalates.


Be Patient

It’s important to remember that cats are trying to express themselves and find a way to get something from us. It is the consequences we give to the slapping behavior that will modify the likelihood of them repeating the behavior more or less often. Be patient with your furry friend, and don’t give up! With the correct guidance and training, you can help your cat learn more acceptable ways to interact with you.

With a little bit of patience and understanding of the scenarios and triggers of your cat’s slapping behavior as well as a conscious decision of what we offer them in return or as a consequence, it won’t have to be an issue for much longer.

YouTube video

Divider_Cat Paws

Conclusion

Slapping can be a normal behavior for cats, but it’s important to pay attention to the scenarios and triggers to better understand your cat’s intentions and needs. With the right amount of observation, patience, and strategy, you can help your cat learn more acceptable ways to interact with you.

See Also:


Featured Image Credit: cctm, Shutterstock

Share

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve PangoVet for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

No stressful travel

Personalized advice

Trending Articles

Read more

Related posts

Want to talk with a vet online?

We are here to help. Simply schedule an appointment by clicking on the button below.

Didn't find what you need? Use the search!

Close the search