Redirected predatory behaviour toward owners is a common cat welfare problem arising from inadequate predatory outlet; appropriate play provision prevents and resolves most cases.
Play aggression in cats arises from the same unmet predatory need that drives other indoor cat welfare problems — the hunting drive that evolved over millions of years cannot be simply switched off in a domestic environment. Cats that bite and scratch owners are not being malicious but are expressing a fundamental motivational need without appropriate outlet. Welfare-appropriate management provides that outlet through interactive wand toy play, food puzzle feeders, and environmental complexity rather than punishing the expression of normal behaviour.