But unless you're deathly allergic, they're also largely harmless, unless you freak them out and they get their claws into you.

但除非你超級討厭牠們，不然他們其實非常無害，只有在你嚇到牠們的情況下才會讓他們對你張牙舞爪。

But, as all cat lovers know, sometimes our otherwise friendly felines will bite us when we're trying to pet them, which makes no sense at all.

但就如所有貓奴所知，有時候我們在試著摸摸牠們的時候，這些友善的貓科動物會咬我們，這件事非常令人匪夷所思。

Why get all bitey with the human who loves them, feeds them, and passive-aggressively scoops their litter box?

為什麼要咬那些愛牠們、餵食牠們、還有消極抵抗處理貓砂李糞便的人類？

Some cat owners call these weird forays into ferocity "love bites," but vets know better and call the behavior: "petting-induced aggression."

有些貓奴稱這些奇怪的侵襲為兇暴的「親暱咬」，但獸醫比較了解這種情況，而稱這樣的行為為「撫摸性攻擊行為」。

Petting-induced aggression differs from flat-out unfriendly behavior; some cats just don't like to be petted at all, period, and will take a swipe at you if you try.

撫摸性攻擊行為跟一般直率的的不友善行為不一樣，有些貓就是完全不喜歡被摸，就是這樣。所以如果你試圖摸牠，牠就會給你一拳。

But that's not the behavior we're exploring here.

但那不是我們這邊要深入了解的行為。

A cat who exhibits petting-induced aggression will seek affection, submit to it, and then inexplicably start nibbling on you like you're made out of Meow Mix.

一隻表現出撫摸性攻擊行為的貓會先討拍，屈服於你的撫摸，然後又會突然莫名其妙地開始咬你，好像把你當貓飼料一樣。

What gives?

怎麼了？

Why the sudden revolt?

怎麼會突然反感？

According to the experts over at VetStreet, there are a few theories about why cats might do this.

根據寵物街上的寵物專家，理論有說明為何貓咪會這麼做。

First of all, the ancestor of the modern house cat was probably a solitary animal, so the whole social hierarchy thing is still pretty new to her.

首先，現代家貓的祖先可能是一位特立獨行的動物，所以說整個社會階層制度對牠來說都還有些陌生。

Your cat may reach a point during that moment of shared affection where she thinks, "I can't let this person think I'm actually domesticated or anything, I'd better just bite them."

你的貓可能會在你儂我儂的時候突然有種想法：「我不能讓這個人覺得我已經被馴服了，我應該咬他們一下。」

That might not explain all petting-induced aggression, though.

但這可能無法完全解釋這種由撫摸拍打引起的攻擊。

Another theory is that some cats might actually experience prolonged petting negatively, and the biting is a reaction to that.

另一個解釋是貓咪可能已經經歷了不好的撫摸拍打經驗，因此咬人是反射動作。

It could be that petting actually starts to feel physically irritating to the cat when it's overdone.

可能過度撫摸拍打確實會對貓咪造成生理上的反感。

So maybe it literally just rubs the cat the wrong way.

所以可能完全是因為用錯方式撫摸牠了。

Biting could also happen when a cat gets excited and decides the petting session should turn into playtime.

當貓咪太興奮於是決定讓拍打變成玩樂時間時，也有可能會咬人。

Cats are predators, after all, and they hone their hunting skills by batting Legos around on the floor, ambushing your ankles when you're on your way to the bathroom late at night.

畢竟貓咪是掠食者，牠們在地上攻擊樂高、在你深夜去上廁所的埋伏襲擊你，透過這些來磨練自己的狩獵技術。

And possibly by biting you when you're trying to show affection.

在你對牠們釋出愛意的時候咬你們，也可能是貓咪磨練自己狩獵技術的方式。

So if your particular brand of petting leans a little on the aggressive side, your cat could just be responding to that in a totally natural way.

所以說如果你撫摸拍打的方式有點太侵略傾向，你的貓咪可能也只是很自然地回應你。

One final theory is that the sudden switch between enjoying the moment and thirsting for blood might actually be communicated, but in a subtle way.

最後一個解釋是享受當下跟對血液的渴望這之間的開關可能是有關聯的，但是以很巧妙的方式。

"A cat's eye reveals everything."

「貓咪的眼睛可以透漏一切。」

"What's that supposed to mean?"

「那是什麼意思？」

There could be small cues that the cat is no longer enjoying the interaction, but they may be so slight that some owners just don't notice them until it's too late.

貓咪不再享受這種交流的時候可能會釋放些小暗號，但它們可能小到有些飼主直到很晚才發現。

So what should a cat owner do with a furry friend who suffers from petting-induced aggression?

當飼主一直遭受貓咪的撫摸性攻擊行為時該怎麼辦呢？

Well, no one is saying these cats are a lost cause, it's really just a matter of learning how to tune in to the animal's mood so you can predict when a petting session might turn into a bloodbath.

其實沒有人說花在這些貓咪身上的努力註定會失敗。只是說學習如何與動物的情緒同步，可以讓你預測什麼時候撫摸拍打會導致血光之災。

That could mean just taking note of how long your cat will usually tolerate petting before sinking their teeth into you, and then making sure you always stop well in advance of that.

多留意你的貓咪通常在開始咬你之前都忍受你撫摸拍打他多久，然後確保你自己在牠開咬之前就先停止動作。

Or look for cues, like a flicking tail or flat ears.

或是特別留意一些牠們的暗示，像是尾巴甩動或是耳朵往後壓。

Bottom line: If you're at the end of your rope over your cat's constant chomping, consult a veterinarian.

底線是：如果你已經受不了貓咪的頻繁啃咬的話，請去找獸醫諮詢。

A professional can help you figure out how to better read your kitty's cues and keep the human-nibbling to a minimum.

專業人士可以幫你更了解如何解讀貓咪的暗示然後讓啃咬人類的次數降到最低。

Check out one of our newest videos right here!

快去看看我們新發布的影片！

Plus, even more Grunge videos about your favorite topics are coming soon.

還有些你們最愛的主題也很快就會發佈了。

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and hit the bell so you don't miss a single one.

請訂閱我們的 YouTube 頻道然後開啟通知，這樣你才不會漏看任何一個。