Are Cats Protective of Their Humans?

Dogs are known for being fiercely devoted to their pet parents, but is there such thing as a protective cat? Learn whether your kitty feels protective of you and how they might let you know it.

Are Cats Protective?

Cats are often stereotyped as standoffish and aloof, even to the people who love them most, but the truth is that cats can be just as protective of their people as dogs are of theirs. Put simply, cats love their family and their family loves them right back. In a groundbreaking study published in 2011, researchers showed for the first time that "cat-human relationships are nearly identical to human-only bonds," according to NBC News.

You might not realize how closely your cat pays attention to where you are and what you're doing. Petful highlights a cat who protected a child from a dog attack as well as numerous cats who alerted their humans to medical emergencies, including cancer and carbon monoxide poisoning. Kitties use their razor-sharp hearing and smelling abilities to keep their pet parents safe.

More frequently, cats try to protect their pet parents from people they consider to be dangerous. Although cats are fierce predators, humans can seem big and scary to some cats. It's instinctual for a cat to defend their territory and yours.

But while it's adorable to imagine your kitty rushing in to save the day, they probably don't think the same way about their actions. Renowned animal behaviorist Dr. John Bradshaw, in National Geographic, cautions against people's tendency "to imagine that [cats] have thoughts and intentions rather like ours." If your cat attempts to protect you from something (or someone), they're probably just following their instinct.

Signs of an Overprotective Cat

In some cases, cats can be protective to the point of aggression. Try to pay attention to your cat's nonverbal communication so you can determine what's causing your kitty to go on the defense.

To tell if your cat is in bodyguard mode, look for the following cat body language:

• Dilated eyes
• Pointed ears turned out like satellite dishes
• Sharp, quick tail movements
• Crouched stance
• Exposed teeth and/or claws
• Hissing, growling or screeching
• Biting or scratching

How to Handle an Overprotective Cat

A protective cat is a fearful cat, and fear can turn into aggression. But before you go out and purchase a "Beware of attack cat" sign for your front door, work on ways to calm your aggressive cat and teach them their behavior is unacceptable.

Know that, while you shouldn't reward your cat's hostility, punishing an aggressive cat isn't productive either. "It is very important not to console an aggressive cat, as this may be perceived as approval of aggression," explains the Cornell Feline Health Center. "It is also important not to retreat or show fear, as this may reinforce the behavior if your retreat is what the cat wants." The best thing to do in this type of situation? Walk away and encourage other people in your household to do the same.

Are cats protective? It's your pet's instinct to react when they smell, hear or otherwise sense something strange. It's also in their DNA to go on the defense when they're frightened. It's nice to know that in times of trouble, your cat's got your back.