Because of their adorable traits, it’s easy to overlook a cat’s predatory nature. Even domesticated felines have a dangerous side to them, and you will see it once they have their claws engaged.
This subreddit calls them “Murder Mittens,” an online community of 231,000 members that shares images of cats with their “knives” out. As the profile succinctly describes, it’s a sub “for when your cats want to kill you.”
We’ve selected some of the most eye-catching photos from the group, which could make you go “aww” while simultaneously making you slightly terrified.
#1 So Intensely Cute
Image credits: itfrancel
#2 "I Just Got My Nails Done Do Ya See Them!?"
Image credits: UrbanNotification
#3 Only A Few Hours Old And Already Armed And Dangerous!
Image credits: Habitual_Emigrant
A cat engaging its claws isn’t necessarily a sign of aggression or going into attack mode. Sometimes, it’s a way for them to stretch. As cat enrichment expert Samantha Bell tells The Spruce Pets, cats may bring out the “murder mittens” as a stretching exercise and to adapt to their surroundings.
“Scratching deposits pheromones on objects to show ownership. This gives them confidence and helps them cope in their environment,” Bell explained.
#4 Aggressive Cookies
Image credits: netphilia
#5 Look At Her Murder Mittens
Image credits: MuhMarket
#6 The Eyes Chico, They Never Lie... And The Murder Mittens Too
Image credits: MaryPan007
Domestic cats, especially, can take care of themselves. Part of their grooming routine is to bring their claws out for trimming. Experts say it’s a remnant of a cat’s wild nature. Keeping their claws trimmed helps them be better hunters.
Like a carving knife, where a dull blade does more harm than good, a cat’s unsharpened claw may snag onto something and cause injury.
#7 I May Not Sleep Tonight
Image credits: StridentStamina
#8 Alice Wants Me To Hush
Image credits: ragamuffinandmrgosh
#9 Knives Out!
Image credits: onegoodear
Cats also typically have their claws out when kneading on a soft object, such as a blanket. According to PetMD, this is a cat’s way of creating a relaxing environment. Kneading reminds cats of nursing and helps them prepare for sleep.
Since cats are territorial, kneading is also a way for them to claim the blanket as their own. They may also do it to their owners for the same reason.
#10 This Is Your First Warning
Image credits: Relevant-Team
#11 Tiny Murder Mittens
Image credits: eightyfivekittens
#12 The Last Thing You See Before You Die
Image credits: calico0000
There may come a point when a cat’s scratching habits become destructive. This typically happens during a threat response or when the cat marks a territory. However, their claws can damage furniture and carpets.
As a preventive measure, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) advises providing cats with scratching posts of different qualities and surfaces. Cardboard, wood, and upholstery are ideal surfaces.
#13 A Fear-Inducing Rabid Wild Beast: Eris Kattarina, 3yo, 2kg, Loves : Cuddles/Murder
Image credits: leuat
#14 Jasper Boy 🖤
Image credits: Aprilsmouth
#15 Laundry Time Is A Truly Terrifying Experience Every Week
Image credits: eenhagens
But is declawing an option if the destructive scratching gets out of hand? There are pros and cons, and the latter outweighs the former. It also prevents their natural behaviors and puts them at risk for complications like chronic pain.
"This can cause pain while walking, grooming, or jumping into the litter box," veterinarian and Louisiana State University professor Nancy Welborn told The Spruce Pets.
#16 An Attempted Attack
Image credits: Chuck_Chicken
#17 Wolverine Showing Off His Murder Mittens In The Wild
Image credits: RowRow1990
#18 Miss Hazy Is Getting Up There In Age (15), But She's Still Got Some Formidable Murder Mittens
Image credits: grichardson526
Like with humans, positive reinforcement is another way to prevent a pet cat’s scratching from getting out of hand. Welborn suggests verbal praise and providing treats when they scratch the right surfaces.
“Negative reinforcement—yelling or spraying your cat with water—is never recommended,” she says.
#19 Protecting Grandpa
Image credits: Cleoprrrtra
#20 In Less Than 48 Hours, Najma Has Gone From The Streets Of Kuwait To Holding Her Butler’s Finger At Daggerpoint
Image credits: Snoo98362
#21 I Highly Advise Against Changing The Channel Sir
Image credits: Mixngas
#22 Let Me Show You My Mittens Of Murder
Image credits: Ketchupadri
#23 Professional Paws
Image credits: WonderfulAirport4226
#24 Sometimes If I Press Lightly On Tiger’s Paw She Does This
Image credits: blackclaw565
#25 Today He's Not In The Mood
Image credits: xbadassbaby
#26 Annabelle's Tiny Mitts
Image credits: ottguy42
#27 I Left My Feral Void Alone For Three Hours Today. This Was My Return Greeting
Image credits: Low_Engineering8921
#28 This Spicy 1 Month Old Guy Was Posted By A Local Cat Rescue, Him And His Siblings Were Brought In As Strays And Are Being Socialized
Image credits: leftnewdigg2
#29 Dracula
Image credits: meerkatthetopg
#30 I May Not Be Alive By The Time You See This
Image credits: Mhutch007
#31 Atticus Means Business 😹
Image credits: CrimeHag
#32 Here’s My Cat Mochi
Image credits: Fitchickwholift
#33 These Mittens Committed An Unprovoked Attack On Two Innocent Legs This Morning. The Culprit Shows No Remorse
Image credits: Vengedpotty
#34 Do These Count?
Image credits: sncsoccer25
#35 My Cat Jumin Believing He Is A Leopard In The Trees
Image credits: _Leela__
#36 Been Sent Here, My Freyja Showing Off Her Murder Peets!
Image credits: DisasterBeginning889
#37 He’s On A Murder Rampage Again
Image credits: Slamtastick
#38 Murder, Murder, Murder. K**l, K**l, K**l
Image credits: AphexChin
#39 The Elusive Full Width Mitten
Image credits: lunaisapotato
#40 This Neighborhood Cat Has Some Massive Murder Mittens
Image credits: RoyMartini
#41 My Angriest Cat Trying To Act Cuddly. 🥲
Image credits: EmmaRisby
#42 Baby Panther Murder Mittens
Image credits: Normal-Bluebird-8880
#43 Armed And Dangerous 🖤🐈⬛🖤
Image credits: AllNaturalNerd
#44 Tiny Needle-Like Claws!
Image credits: mrguykloss
#45 My Little Sleep Paralysis Demon
Image credits: AlienHiker
#46 So Smol So Deadly
Image credits: jNealB
#47 Play Murder
Image credits: YesterdaysFinest
#48 What Happened Next Was Slightly Painful
Image credits: psychadellickitty
#49 This Is Mango
Image credits: senseofxpurpose
#50 Very Aggressive Void
Image credits: BraticornBooty
