Can I stop my cat from doing this do you think? It's really irritating....

[Silvercatowner]

Cat is a female rescue, approximately 3. She's adorable and very cuddly. But if you are walking past her, she reaches out a claw and scratches. Every. Bloody. Time. So this morning she'd settled under the bed. I walked past and got scratched. Last night she was curled up on the sofa. I walked past and got scratched. I suspect she's attention seeking but she gets lots of attention and I don't like being scratched. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

Can you clip her claws do the scratching doesn't hurt?

She’s playing, it’s classic play behaviour.

She’s playing, it’s classic play behaviour.

Thanks Fluffy - I disagree it's 'classic' - I've never had a cat do this (I'm old and have always had cats). And I'd like her not to do this, hence my question.

Thanks Toddler - next time I take her to the vet I'll get someone to clip her claws.

Hiss at her every time she scratches you, it’s what mother cats do to kittens when they play too rough. My cat used to be bad for things like this, but a good hiss and then walking away broke him of the habit.

one of my cat does it when he's wanting a stroke, but he doesn't have his claws out. He will also pull your hand over to him so he can bite you.

The other one just bites.

My cat used to do that, she is 8 months now and she still plays like this but doesn't scratch.

I've had my rescue cat for 6 years and she still does this, I trim her claws every 2 weeks. She doesn't actually scratch though, she's just batting me for attention. I use special cat claw clippers (Google catty man cat claw clippers), they're fail safe. Sit cat between your legs facing away from you so she can't escape and just clip the tips.

Hiss at her every time she scratches you

I am so going to try this! Thanks. Thanks also for all the responses. I'll try clipping her claws myself but fear I may not survive.

She bites, as well. Wretched animal.

What about that pheromone for cats? I know she might not be stressed, but there is an element of over stimulation in some way for this behaviour to be coming up.

Water pistol??

@Winterdaysarehere oh yes! I will dig out the kids Supersoaker!
@Ohyesiam - yeah we have used Feliway from time to time - I might try it again but I think this is the learned behaviour of a very pampered (spoiled) cat.

The water pistols a bit much. She’s just trying to engage with you.

People have actually died from a cat's claw in the leg.... A lady who didn't tell her family as she was worried they would make her get rid of the cat.... Awful..

It’s probably not something the coroner sees a lot of though.

So I've been hissing like a steam train for the past month and IT HAS WORKED! No more scratching and no more biting which is much nicer. Thank you @TyrionsNextWife! I didn't think it would work and am amazed, as a veteran cat owner I thought I knew all the cat tricks.

I'm so glad the hissing worked. Spraying cats with water is a horrible way to train. They lose trust in you and it's destressing for many cats who hate water.

Great result OP!!

My cat has done this for 18 years, she doesn't like anyone walking past her. I think it's a territorial thing. Unfortunately she is a big cat with a hefty big swipe. None of my other cats did it. I just avoid walking past too close now but sometimes she still gets me.
Drives me nuts especially as she is usually such a cuddly girl.

Isn't it attention seeking and wanting to engage and play?(Jaxon Galaxy)