Overstimulation also may happen when play behavior escalates to aggression. This often happens when humans play in inappropriate ways with cat such as rough petting, or playing chase games with their hands. It is important to follow guidelines for a healthy way to pet and play with cats.
While some cats enjoy endless petting, others begin to find petting uncomfortable. Cats may hiss, growl, swat, or even bite as a way of letting us know they are not enjoying the interaction. Petting may physically cause a cat pain and may frustrate a cat if they lack control of the situation.
Once a cat shows you a sign of overstimulation or discomfort, wait a while before attempting to pet them again. Be sure to totally separate the petting sessions with a looooong pause. Only pet your cat where they LIKE to be petted.
Smell Transfer
Cats recognize each other (and us) by scent. Raising the butt is your cat's way of getting their anal glands closer to your nose so you can get a whiff of their pheromones. This is how cats introduce themselves to other cats.
While some cats enjoy being kissed, others will not. Some will feel love, while others will not see kissing as a sign of affection. There are better ways than kissing to show a cat affection that they will understand. Cats are mysterious pets with distinct personalities.
A highly aroused cat quickly becomes emotionally aroused in response to stimuli, which may result in aggressive behavior.
Affection: The Love Bite
If your cat licks then bites you out of the blue then you might be in the presence of a love bite, lucky you! This is a very common (and usually gentle) interaction with cats, especially kittens. If your cat does this they might be trying to show you affection.
All cats have the ability to become overstimulated but vary in their reaction based on frustration level and/or how much they tolerate being petted or held. Some cats will only react by twitching their tails and never escalate, while others will escalate into a bite.
Cats are very sensitive creatures and will become overstimulated by too much petting, regardless of how much they enjoy it. Some cats are overstimulated much more easily than others and may even react violently if touched in the wrong way.
For a cat, sharing their important resources (such as food, litter trays, beds, human attention etc.) with another cat, especially if they haven't grown up together, can be really stressful. Cats can often see other members of their species as 'competitors' rather than 'allies'.
Overstimulation, or sensory overload, is when your senses are just completely overloaded with information, making it difficult (or sometimes near impossible) to fully process the information you are receiving. This type of overstimulation is often seen in what we often call highly sensitive people (or HSP for short).
You were loving on your cat, they were purring, everything was groovy… And now they're telling you “no thank you” with their back legs and teeth. It's a common problem called “overstimulation” or “overarousal,” and it's pretty simple to address.
Overstimulation: Aggression can occur as a normal response to being petted or handled in areas or ways your cat finds uncomfortable. It could also happen when the petting or handling have gone on for too long. Some cats exhibit overstimulation which leads to petting-induced aggression.
If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.
Often, they wrap their front paws around your hand, scratch with their back feet and then bite – this is how they would kill their prey in the wild. They don't want to hurt you so don't worry, they are just acting on their natural animal instincts and being playful.
Hugging your arm or leg and biting you is a classic cat hunting move. When cats catch large prey, they will often grasp it with their front legs and then bite it while 'bunny kicking' with their back legs. If your cat is doing this to you, they are misdirecting their hunting behaviour onto you.
It comes from their instinct to protect their themselves, and a high position for sleeping or resting gives them an aerial advantage for spotting any potential dangers around them.
Being picked up and held can make some cats nervous, as they are being restrained in your arms. This limits their options for escape if anything were to startle them. Cats are independent creatures, and although they often like to be up high, they like to choose their own perch and not be restrained whilst doing so.
When the sexual act reaches its climax, the female cats can become relatively aggressive. In addition, the female cat usually emits a “mating scream” that goes through the marrow.
All in all, even the most aloof and brooding cat will be able to pick up on your warmth and devotion. Whether they choose to admit it or not, they can sense when a person loves them (and hates them). So always make sure you're emitting good, kitty-positive vibes, and your cat will be sure to indulge in the lovefest.
Your cat might not understand human crying, but she'll gather as many clues as she can and use them to adjust her behavior.