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50 Adorably Frightening Pics Of Cats Showing That Their Owners Are Alive Because Of Their Mercy
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 end 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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
So Intensely Cute
April Pickett 9 months ago
Hmmmm...I wonder what I can do with these. Look, they go in and out, that's amazing.
RELATED:
#2
Tiny Murder Mittens
#3
"I Just Got My Nails Done Do Ya See Them!?"
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
Only A Few Hours Old And Already Armed And Dangerous!
#5
Look At Her Murder Mittens
#6
The Eyes Chico, They Never Lie... And The Murder Mittens Too
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
#8
This Is Your First Warning
#9
Aggressive Cookies
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
Knives Out!
#11
Alice Wants Me To Hush
#12
The Last Thing You See Before You Die
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.
#14
Jasper Boy 🖤
April Pickett 9 months ago
That is an impressive pose. Not the human, the master of the house and he rules it well.
#15
Miss Hazy Is Getting Up There In Age (15), But She's Still Got Some Formidable Murder Mittens
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
A Fear-Inducing Rabid Wild Beast: Eris Kattarina, 3yo, 2kg, Loves : Cuddles/Murder
#17
An Attempted Attack
#18
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
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
In Less Than 48 Hours, Najma Has Gone From The Streets Of Kuwait To Holding Her Butler’s Finger At Daggerpoint
#20
Laundry Time Is A Truly Terrifying Experience Every Week
#21
Wolverine Showing Off His Murder Mittens In The Wild
#22
Professional Paws
#23
Let Me Show You My Mittens Of Murder
R1MV4Superleggera 9 months ago
This picture actually made me think....since the Maximum ruler of our castle choose me as his favourite hooman and likes to ride over my shoulders everywhere I go around the house...I seriously never, ever seen him showing his deadly instruments of death (aka claws) while riding..while Wife is mumbling (I think) "please, don't make me a widow" 😄
#24
Sometimes If I Press Lightly On Tiger’s Paw She Does This
LauraDragonWench 9 months ago
My little girl does the same - we end up holding paws, as it were, her paw clasped around my finger for several minutes.
#26
Today He's Not In The Mood
R1MV4Superleggera 9 months ago
Might be because he haven't killed anyone...yet? But hey! The day is young
#29
He’s On A Murder Rampage Again
#30
This Neighborhood Cat Has Some Massive Murder Mittens
#31
My Cat Jumin Believing He Is A Leopard In The Trees
#32
I Highly Advise Against Changing The Channel Sir
#33
Murder, Murder, Murder. K**l, K**l, K**l
#34
I Left My Feral Void Alone For Three Hours Today. This Was My Return Greeting
#35
Armed And Dangerous 🖤🐈⬛🖤
#36
These Mittens Committed An Unprovoked Attack On Two Innocent Legs This Morning. The Culprit Shows No Remorse
#37
Tiny Needle-Like Claws!
#38
Atticus Means Business 😹
#39
I May Not Be Alive By The Time You See This
#40
My Little Sleep Paralysis Demon
#41
The Elusive Full Width Mitten
R1MV4Superleggera 9 months ago
"See this mittens ya peasant hooman? They're just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to my power"
#42
Been Sent Here, My Freyja Showing Off Her Murder Peets!
#43
Here’s My Cat Mochi
R1MV4Superleggera 9 months ago
lol! Just like our cat! Believe it or not, but Wife and we spend hundreds and hundreds of pounds in toys for our Ruler and...well, cardboard boxes are always his Highness favorite
#44
My Angriest Cat Trying To Act Cuddly. 🥲
#45
Baby Panther Murder Mittens
April Pickett 9 months ago
This is just to let you know I'm giving you fair warning. If it happens again.....
#47
Very Aggressive Void
#48
This Is Mango
#49
What Happened Next Was Slightly Painful
#51
I Got Brutally Murdered, And The Last Thing I Heard Was The Battle Cry Of A Three Week Old Kitten… 😵
#52
Dagger Size To Cat Size Ratio Is Off With This One
#53
My Handsome Boy Showing Me Who Has The Sharpest Claws
#55
I’ll Be Sleeping With One Eye Open From Now On
#56
Even When Asleep, She Keeps One 🗡️ In The Chamber
#57
Mickey Was 5 Months Old In This Picture. And I Woke Up To See This
#58
I Get These Every Time, I Lean Back In His Chair
#59
When The Cat Sits Above Your Blanket Fort
#60
Last Post Was Removed Because The Mod Thought Vincent's Mittens Weren't Murder Enough
#62
I Wish I Knew What She Was Thinking About
#63
Terrifying
#66
Flexing His Murder Mitts
#69
Jolene Shows Her Mitts When She Wants Attention!
#70
My Kitten Has Some Big Mittens
#71
Someone Has A Bad Attitude Today!
#72
Just Adopted Dex, He Is Polydactyl And His 14 Murderous Toes On The Front And 10 On The Back Add Up To Mittens Are Larger Than His Head Full Of Murderous Thoughts. Good Thing He's Cute
#74
Mina Did Not Want Me To Get Out Of Bed This Morning. She Made It Extremely Clear That My Leaving Was Unacceptable. I Took The Unexpected Opportunity To Hang Out And Read For A Little While
#75
Pre-Murder Yoga
#76
“I Want To Hold Your Hand While Also Reminding You That I Am A Viscous Ball Of Floof.”
#77
This Pillow... Its So Soft.... Its Not Creepy... Is It?
#78
Reznor's Fuzzy Oven Mitts!
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Tabitha 9 months ago (edited)
All joking aside, please clip your cat’s claws if they’re not wearing them down on the scratching post. Or your furniture. Or you. The earlier you start normalizing the clipping, and the more regularly you do it, the more comfortable the cat will be with it and the better off your furniture and you will be.
Kzincat 9 months ago
I thought the same thing scrolling through these pictures.
Load More Replies...
LauraDragonWench 9 months ago
My old man (18 this May) is a long-haired void - I love him to bits. I wish I had the ability to adopt a few more voids, they're my favorite type of kitties!
Load More Replies...
Orogogus 9 months ago
A few years ago I adopted a black feral kitten; I've had gingers and a gray tabby and a black-and-white piebald before, but this was my first black cat. I was surprised to find that most of his claws were black, I'd assumed that black cats had white/clear claws like everyone else. Now going through this articles I'm having a second revelation that most black cats do in fact have white claws and the black claws are apparently kind of rare. It's slightly inconvenient since I'm reluctant to clip his claws since I can't see where the quick starts. I just trip the tips and they're back after a day or two. PXL_202408...35810e.jpg 
LakotaWolf (she/her) 9 months ago
My void girl, Kohl, has white claws EXCEPT for her dewclaws, which are black/dark like your boy's are. I definitely have to take care with those. You can try holding a flashlight or other light with the lens pointed upwards and hold his claws "over" the light, which can help you find the quick. There are also claw clippers that have a tiny LED built in that performs this same function. I have a pair of larger clippers with the light, since both of my dogs have dark claws XD
Load More Replies...
Beak Hookage 9 months ago
Those claws are no joke! Twenty years later I still have a scar on my leg. That cat was a psycho.
Bilja M 9 months ago
I have semi-permanent tattoo on my right shoulder because my cat likes to be carried while she digs her claws into my shoulder. I don't mind, it just looks a bit weird having all hose little scars.
JB 9 months ago (edited)
Um, should I be worried? I clip two of three cat knives every so often because they’re indoor cats. Seren bites his claws/nails daily. His front claws are as blunt as his back paw claws because he chews them every day. I have three 6’+ cat trees, several scratching posts both vertical and horizontal, four bought hidey homes for cats, more than twice that of simple cardboard boxes. They have so many toys, I’m never sure if I’m gonna find one in “our” bed. But he still nail bites. Oh wait! He stopped for two days after he caught a mouse in the kitchen. Bloody hell, should I start feeding him live mice like a snake to address the (possibly) neurotic chewing of nails? Incidentally, I was hugely impressed that he stalked and caught mouse prey. But giggled a lot that he had no interest in eating it. So, I gave him treats for preventing a rodent infestation and set the traumatized rodent out in the backyard.
CatD 8 months ago
That's what we do, they catch them and bring them over live, then they get treats.
Load More Replies...
Caroline Overill 9 months ago
Why is it that cats are quite willing to rip their devoted slaves to shreds but any sign of a stranger coming into the house and they’re up under the bed before you can get to the door.
Learner Panda 9 months ago
I don't clip my cat's claws because he is an indoor/outdoor cat and does them himself. But, please, please, please do not declaw your cats. It breaks my heart to see them in so much pain and unable to walk properly or use a litter tray.
CatD 8 months ago
Declawing is literally CUTTING OFF the first joint. Look at your hands and imagine that happening to you.
Load More Replies...
Joyce mann 9 months ago
Unless your cat is an outdoor cat and it shouldn't be, you can clip.their claws, just like like you, hopefully, cut your own nails
Jude Laskowski 8 months ago
I adopted my cat 4 years ago from a shelter, but I knew nothing about his history. He had been in several shelters, and I don't think his claws had ever been clipped. I still have to get him on a catnip high before I can even clip a few nails. Then he's 20 lbs. of "let go of me".
zovjraar me 9 months ago
this reminds me... i was supposed to clip everyone's claws this weekend... they're getting "sticky".
Untamed Snark 9 months ago
This one reminds me of the Nathan Pyle comic Respect-th...2ccef8.png 
Tabitha 9 months ago (edited)
All joking aside, please clip your cat’s claws if they’re not wearing them down on the scratching post. Or your furniture. Or you. The earlier you start normalizing the clipping, and the more regularly you do it, the more comfortable the cat will be with it and the better off your furniture and you will be.
Kzincat 9 months ago
I thought the same thing scrolling through these pictures.
Load More Replies... LauraDragonWench 9 months ago
My old man (18 this May) is a long-haired void - I love him to bits. I wish I had the ability to adopt a few more voids, they're my favorite type of kitties!
Load More Replies... Orogogus 9 months ago
A few years ago I adopted a black feral kitten; I've had gingers and a gray tabby and a black-and-white piebald before, but this was my first black cat. I was surprised to find that most of his claws were black, I'd assumed that black cats had white/clear claws like everyone else. Now going through this articles I'm having a second revelation that most black cats do in fact have white claws and the black claws are apparently kind of rare. It's slightly inconvenient since I'm reluctant to clip his claws since I can't see where the quick starts. I just trip the tips and they're back after a day or two. PXL_202408...35810e.jpg
LakotaWolf (she/her) 9 months ago
My void girl, Kohl, has white claws EXCEPT for her dewclaws, which are black/dark like your boy's are. I definitely have to take care with those. You can try holding a flashlight or other light with the lens pointed upwards and hold his claws "over" the light, which can help you find the quick. There are also claw clippers that have a tiny LED built in that performs this same function. I have a pair of larger clippers with the light, since both of my dogs have dark claws XD
Load More Replies... Beak Hookage 9 months ago
Those claws are no joke! Twenty years later I still have a scar on my leg. That cat was a psycho.
Bilja M 9 months ago
I have semi-permanent tattoo on my right shoulder because my cat likes to be carried while she digs her claws into my shoulder. I don't mind, it just looks a bit weird having all hose little scars.
JB 9 months ago (edited)
Um, should I be worried? I clip two of three cat knives every so often because they’re indoor cats. Seren bites his claws/nails daily. His front claws are as blunt as his back paw claws because he chews them every day. I have three 6’+ cat trees, several scratching posts both vertical and horizontal, four bought hidey homes for cats, more than twice that of simple cardboard boxes. They have so many toys, I’m never sure if I’m gonna find one in “our” bed. But he still nail bites. Oh wait! He stopped for two days after he caught a mouse in the kitchen. Bloody hell, should I start feeding him live mice like a snake to address the (possibly) neurotic chewing of nails? Incidentally, I was hugely impressed that he stalked and caught mouse prey. But giggled a lot that he had no interest in eating it. So, I gave him treats for preventing a rodent infestation and set the traumatized rodent out in the backyard.
CatD 8 months ago
That's what we do, they catch them and bring them over live, then they get treats.
Load More Replies... Caroline Overill 9 months ago
Why is it that cats are quite willing to rip their devoted slaves to shreds but any sign of a stranger coming into the house and they’re up under the bed before you can get to the door.
Learner Panda 9 months ago
I don't clip my cat's claws because he is an indoor/outdoor cat and does them himself. But, please, please, please do not declaw your cats. It breaks my heart to see them in so much pain and unable to walk properly or use a litter tray.
CatD 8 months ago
Declawing is literally CUTTING OFF the first joint. Look at your hands and imagine that happening to you.
Load More Replies... Joyce mann 9 months ago
Unless your cat is an outdoor cat and it shouldn't be, you can clip.their claws, just like like you, hopefully, cut your own nails
Jude Laskowski 8 months ago
I adopted my cat 4 years ago from a shelter, but I knew nothing about his history. He had been in several shelters, and I don't think his claws had ever been clipped. I still have to get him on a catnip high before I can even clip a few nails. Then he's 20 lbs. of "let go of me".
zovjraar me 9 months ago
this reminds me... i was supposed to clip everyone's claws this weekend... they're getting "sticky".
Untamed Snark 9 months ago
This one reminds me of the Nathan Pyle comic Respect-th...2ccef8.png
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