Cats are peculiar pets to own inside and out. Often you will find them either being completely lazy or doing something so off the wall it is unexplainable. However, many cat owners have experienced annoying or erratic behaviors, such as their cat going to town on their owner’s hair. So why do cats attack your hair? What can you do to stop it?
Cats will attack their owner’s hair most often due to showing affection or stress. Like other animals, such as dogs, cats need reassurance and love. Ways they will show this are by biting or licking their owner’s hair. It could also be an underlying compulsion issue, so it may be best to try and spend more time with your cat if you notice their constant need for attention by attacking your hair.
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Table of Contents
5 Main Reasons Your Cat Is Attacking Your Hair
There are five main reasons your cat could likely exhibit this behavior. Reasons for attacking your hair will range between your cat being stressed, lacking your attention, showing they love you, your hair smells nice, or they may have a compulsion. All these reasons can be dealt with if adequately handled. Here is a list of 5 reasons your cat may attack your hair.
1. Your Cat Is Stressed, Or Feels A Lack of Something
Attacking hair for a cat is expected when they are stressed. While some cats do not mind, others will surely want to know you love them, so be extra sure your cat knows you love them and keep them safe.
2. Your Hair Smells Good
Cats can be odd, and this goes into them loving how some types of shampoo smell. Another reason for a cat to attack your hair is that they love the smell.
3. Showing They Love You
Cats show they love you in painful ways, and many of these ways include some hair attack. Think of it as yarn; cats almost see your hair as they do rope! They love yarn; they love you. It all works the same!
4. It Is Soothing To Them
Simply put, some cats genuinely enjoy the feel of their owner’s hair. It is soft and cozy to them, which is a cat’s most natural habitat.
5. They Have A Compulsion
While this may be rare, some cats can obtain obsessive-compulsive disorder or (OCD) just as humans can. Basically it means your cat is obsessive about something, it can be your hair or the floor or licking the carpet. If your cat cannot be distracted by anything else besides your hair, they may have a compulsion.
Related Article: “Why Is My Cat Licking The Carpet?“
How Do I Get My Cat To Stop Playing With My Hair?
Getting your cat to stop playing with your hair can be an entirely different situation. Depending on the reasoning behind it, it can also, at times, be impossible. However, here we will list the reasons and ways you can prevent a cat from attacking your hair in the future.
- Your Cat Is Stressed Or Feels A Lack of Something
Ways you can prevent your cat from feeling stressed enough to attack your hair are by showing the cat you love it just that little bit more. Cats have feelings contrary to popular belief, and they need reassurance and love just as most animals do. - Your Hair Smells Good
Just letting your hair stink is not a good option. If your cat is attacking your hair because they love the smell, it could be time to switch shampoos. If the problem continues, then that likely was not the reason at all. So, be sure before throwing out the right hair products! - Showing They Love You
Ways to prevent a cat from loving you? Probably not going to happen. However, if it does bother you when your cat is grooming or showing they love you, redirect their attention with a toy. - It Is Soothing To Them
Just like loving you, if a cat attacks your hair because it feels useful to them, it may be best to try a toy or something of a replacement. - They Have A Compulsion
If your cat has an obsessive-compulsive disorder or (OCD), it could be a severe mental issue, and you should seek vet care right away. A vet will point you in the right direction for you and your cat if this is the case.
Further Reading: “Are Tabby Cats Good Mousers?“
What Does It Mean When Your Cat Bites Your Head?
If you begin to experience your cat biting your head, you can rest easy knowing there is an explanation.
Firstly, a cat biting your head is an expression for them to either show their love or possessiveness. Cats will get attached to their owners just as dogs will. As such, it is not uncommon for them to show their possessiveness in odd ways, considering they are cats. Cats do this to each other to show signs of affection or bonding. This reason could be very well why your cat is biting your head.
However, we cannot rule out the possibility that the cat could be bored or stressed. Many owners believe a cat biting your head is a self-soothing behavior in a time of stress. If this is the case, it may be wise to pay extra attention to your cat throughout the day to ensure it is okay.
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Cats will attack their owner’s hair most often due to showing affection or stress. It could also be an underlying compulsion issue, so it may be best to try and spend more time with your cat if you notice their constant need for attention by attacking your hair.
Is It Ok To Let Your Cat Lick Your Hair?
According to vetstreet.com, there should be no harm that comes to your furry friend from licking hair. However, if they begin to eat and digest it, it may be wise to make them stop. Too much hair in their stomachs could undoubtedly cause future issues, however, licking is a different story. Licking your hair is likely just their way of petting and comforting you. If it does not bother you, it is best to let it happen.
Further Reading: “Why Are Tabby Cats So Friendly?”
Related Questions
Why Does My Cat Attack My Head At Night?
If you start to notice your cat attacking your head at night, there are a few reasons for it that may help you rest easy. Most of the time, a cat will be seeking grooming or comfort. Answer this by giving them a few pets, and they should be off to sleep. Other reasons could be that they are just bored and looking for something to do! If this is the case, it may be best to let them sleep in a comfy kennel for the night. However, it is not worrisome whatsoever.
Further Reading: “Why Does My Cat Favor My Husband?“
Why Does My Cat Bite My Hair After I Shower?
Again, this act is explained by the cat merely enjoying the smell your hair gives off after a shower. Cats make habits, and grooming is one of them, so anything they make a routine with other cats will likely make a routine with their owner. Cats are unique in this way. It could also be they enjoy the taste of your shampoo! But again, this is not a troublesome act.
Further Reading: “Why Does My Cat Sleep On Me When I’m Sick?“
Final Thoughts
All in all, a cat attacks your hair for many reasons. Though, the most common is that they are merely showing affection. If your cat loves you, it will let you know, and some choose to do it unconventionally. You can rest easy knowing your cat most likely sees you as one of them. However, it is wise to keep in mind that other reasons may play into this: boredom, stress, compulsion, etc.
If this is the case, it is best to seek out what you can do about it in the list above. There are always ways to keep your cat from attacking your hair if you do it right, and most of the time, the simple solution is just directing their attention elsewhere. Follow all the steps, and everything should be fine.
