It might seem hard to bond with your cat if you have the constant worry that you might be unexpectedly on the receiving end of their claws and teeth! Let’s find out some of the reasons why cats bite and what you can do about it.
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Why do cats bite?
It might seem obvious that cats bite when they’re cross or afraid. After all, you’ve probably witnessed cats fighting in the garden, defending their territory, and sending an unwelcome visitor on their way. However, there are plenty of other reasons why cats bite.
Cats who are in pain or stressed may also bite, but biting can also be a way of instigating play or showing affection. The key to a good bond with your cat is understanding its behavior and reading its body language, so let’s find out why your cat might be biting you. If you need more information, why not check out our blog post on Gentle Cat Love Bites?
Cats who are in pain or stressed may also bite, but biting can also be a way of instigating play or showing affection.
Cats who are in pain or stressed may also bite, but biting can also be a way of instigating play or showing affection.
Signs that your cat’s biting is playful or affectionate
‘My cat bites me when I pet her’
This is a tricky one because a cat who bites when they are touched might be trying to initiate playtime with you, but it might also be in pain and its reaction could be of natural instinct.
If your cat is biting you because they want you to join them for a game, they won’t bite very hard, just a gentle nibble! We’ll discuss the signs that they could be painful later in the article.
‘Why does my cat bite me then lick me’
A bite followed by a lick is a sure sign that your cat is feeling friendly. After all, the lick is a sign of affection and perhaps an apology if they got too carried away! Think of it as their way of saying ‘I love you, but I’m a little bit bored!’.
‘My cat bites me gently’
If your feline bites you half-heartedly, it’s doubtful that they are intending to cause you pain or upset you. If they wanted to bite harder, they would! Other cats often give gentle love bites as a sign of affection.
‘My cat tends to bite me while purring’
Purring is usually a sign of contentment in cats, so if your cat bites you while they are purring, it’s probably a sign of love, especially if it’s gentle. If you’ve been playing with them with a toy, they might have just got a bit carried away.
On the other hand, though, other cats sometimes purr when they’re painful, poorly, or afraid. This self-soothe technique might lull you into thinking they’re happy when they’re not feeling so good.
‘My cat bites me when playing’
Just like humans who tip over the Monopoly board dramatically when they’re losing, cats can get a bit too engrossed in playing as well!
If they get carried away in the moment, they might forget that it’s just a game and bite you! Don’t take offence, though, they probably don’t mean it!
‘My cat nips me when I sleep’
When you’re asleep but your feline friend’s awake, they might get a bit bored or lonely. And what better way to get your attention than a quick chew on your toe?
Equally, if you decide to have a lie-in and miss breakfast time, you could forgive your cat for waking you with a nip on the nose as it wasn’t an aggressive biting. I mean, what choice do they have?
A bite followed by a cat lick, or a love bite, is a sure sign that your cat is feeling friendly.
A bite followed by a lick is a sure sign that your cat is feeling friendly.
Signs that your cat’s biting is due to anger, pain, fear, or stress
If the following statements apply to you, it’s much more likely that your cat is biting for negative reasons:
‘My cat bites me when I pet her’
The nice reasons why this scenario might occur have already been mentioned. But if your cat bites you when you touch a certain spot and/or shows any kind of aggressive behavior, for most cats it means they could be in pain. This could mean arthritis in an older cat, a wound, or even a broken bone, so it’s worth checking with a vet to rule out medical causes, especially if it’s a sudden change in behavior.
‘My cat bites me when unprovoked’
If cats suddenly bite out of the blue, it’s unlikely to be a sign of affection. While they might be feeling bored and trying to get your attention, it’s more likely that they’re feeling anxious, painful, or unwell. Book a veterinary check-up to make sure everything’s okay.
‘My cat bites me hard’
If your cat bites you hard, unlike a love bite, it’s usually a firm ‘NO’! If you’re doing something to them, it probably means they don’t like it and they want you to stop. If this is unusual behavior for them, and they usually enjoy a fuss, they might be feeling under the weather.
If your cat bites you out of the blue, has a sudden change in behavior, and shows aggressive behavior, it’s unlikely to be a sign of affection.
If your cat bites you out of the blue, it’s unlikely to be a sign of affection.
How can you stop a cat from biting?
Here are a few ways to discourage your cat from biting:
Get them checked by a veterinarian
The most important thing, as cat owners, is to book a check-up with the vet to rule out any underlying health conditions that might be causing the behavior.
Plenty of play
Most cats may bite more often if they’re bored. If you give them lots of cat toys and human interaction during play, you should find they settle better at other times.
Positive reinforcement
As with most training techniques, rewarding good behavior is much more effective than shouting or punishing ‘bad behavior’. Give treats and praise, and offer human interaction with cuddling when your cat is behaving well, and ignore them when they bite.
Read your cat’s body language
You might think cats are mysterious, but they are natural born predators and a cat’s body language can tell you all you need to know about how they’re feeling. If their ears are forward, their necks extended and they’re purring or rubbing against you, they want your company and may even offer love bites.
However, for most cats, if their ears are held back or flat, their eyes squinted, their head bowed, or their body hunched, it could be a sign they’re not feeling the love. Of course, hissing and growling is aggressive behavior and their way of telling you to back off!
Summary
When asking why does my cat bite me, it’s important to keep in mind that cats don’t just bite because they’re angry. There are lots of other reasons. If you’re concerned about your cat’s biting behavior, contact your veterinarian for advice.
If you can’t get enough information about your feline friend, you can find fun facts about cats in our blog.
FAQ
Cats rarely bite for no reason at all. Depending on the type of bite, they might be bored, lonely, feeling affectionate, or feeling angry. The information above should help you decide why your cat is biting.
In human behavior, biting is usually a negative thing. However, for cats, a little nibble can be affectionate. Think of it as their way of giving kisses.
If your cat is purring when they bite, they’re probably trying to show love or asking you to play with them. However, they might be unwell or in pain so see a vet if you’re concerned.
First, get a vet to examine them to make sure they’re okay. If they’re well, you can try providing more toys and keeping them busy to prevent boredom. And remember, you should never shout or punish your cat because you could make their behavior worse due to stress.
