Why is my cat suddenly biting and rolling on his back after home changes?

Cats will often roll onto their backs or sides and kick either in defense, or when playing with/attacking something. If he's grabbing onto something such as a toy or blanket while he does this, it could be what he is doing. If he is otherwise healthy and active, I wouldn't be too concerned by this behavior. However, if you see any signs of illness such as confusion, loss of balance, etc, in addition to it, it is always best to schedule a vet visit to rule out any health issues.

It is very normal for cats to adjust their behavior over time as they get used to things and people that once scared them, especially if your cat is exposed to it often over time through family or friends. However, if the behavioral change is sudden, you are concerned, or there any health symptoms showing up, a vet visit to rule out any issues is always best.

Sudden behavioral changes can sometimes indicate pain or an underlying illness, so if this came on suddenly a vet visit is always a good first step to rule out any health problems. If your kitty is in good health, looking for something that may have triggered it such as a new object, new people, possession over toys etc may help you understand what caused it. Stress can make cats act uncomfortable or unpredictable, so removing the stressors or making it so your cat has a place to escape and relax may help him feel better. Pheromone diffusers/collars can also be useful in dealing with stress and aggression, and placing one on your cat or plugged into the area where he is being territorial may help him calm down.

Looking for a pattern such as a noise that startles him, certain time of day it happens, or if you were doing an activity with him prior may help you figure out the cause behind his behavior. It is possible that he may have had a strange dream, or something is waking him quickly and startling him. Sudden behavioral changes can also indicate issues such as pain or underlying illness, so if the behavior continues or the cause isn't found, scheduling a vet checkup to look for any health issues is a good idea.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Brett. She is a beautiful girl! I'm wondering if the move has caused this change in behavior. Moving is very stressful for a cat, and that can lead to aggression. I'd try using Feliway diffusers around the home. These release calming pheromones that can help relax her. I'd pair that with a Sentry calming collar. This will release calming pheromones when in contact with her skin. If this doesn't help, then I'd have her seen by a vet for a health check. I hope this helps!

There could be a reason for Aspyn's change in behavior. Sometimes a sudden change behavior can be a sign of a medical illness. I think it would be a good idea to have her seen by a vet for a health check.

Hopefully you got your neighbors permission before rehoming the kitten! Cats can have a hard time with change, and the sudden move to a completely new household can be very stressful, thus leading to a change in behavior. As with any new kitten, it is also always a good idea to schedule a first wellness check with your vet to get caught up on vaccines, deworming treatment and check for any potential health issues. If kitten checks out healthy, using something such as a Comfort Zone which is a pheromone diffuser designed to help calm cats during change, and adding in plenty of fun toys, easy access to food and water and litter can help. Giving it some time and letting your kitten settle into her new home for a few days is also a good idea to help her relax.