Cats communicate their emotions through subtle body language, often misunderstood by humans. Biting, a common feline expression, is frequently perceived negatively. However, understanding the underlying reasons for a cat’s bite is crucial for addressing this behavior effectively. As cat expert Samantha Bell from Best Friends Animal Society explains, “Cats aren’t exhibiting bad behavior when they bite. It’s instinct.” While biting is natural, there are strategies to redirect and manage it.
Understanding the Reasons Behind Cat Bites
It’s important not to ignore when your cat bites. Several factors can contribute to this behavior:
Love Bites: A Sign of Overstimulation
A “love bite” can be an affectionate gesture, but it often signals that your cat is becoming overstimulated during petting or interaction. These bites might start with gentle licking and progress to soft nibbling, serving as a polite way for your cat to indicate they’ve reached their limit and wish for the interaction to end. Bell notes, “They may be saying, ‘I’m enjoying this interaction but it’s becoming too much for me. I’m nearing my limit.'” Interpreting these subtle cues can be challenging, so observing your cat’s response is key.
Overstimulation and Petting Reactivity
Petting reactivity, or overstimulation, occurs when a cat becomes overexcited, potentially from a petting session or unwanted touch. Cats typically signal their desire to stop being petted through behaviors such as flattened ears, tail flicking, skin rippling, and quick head turns. If these signals are missed, a swat or bite may follow as they communicate they are reaching their threshold.
Biting Due to Pain
If your cat’s biting behavior is unusual, it could be a sign of pain. Look for other indicators like sensitivity to touch in specific areas, a hunched posture, hiding, loss of appetite, or neglecting their grooming. These signs suggest your feline friend is experiencing discomfort and may be biting as a reaction to it.
Fear-Induced Biting
Fear is a significant driver of biting in cats, often stemming from a feeling of being threatened or harmed. This can happen when a cat feels trapped or forced into a situation. Bell suggests that offering cats an escape route can prevent them from feeling like prey. The size difference between humans and cats can also be intimidating for some felines, especially those who are not well-socialized. Warning signs of fear-induced aggression include flattened ears, dilated pupils, raised fur, hissing, spitting, or snarling, all indicating a need for space.
Seeking Attention Through Biting
Cats quickly learn that biting gets human attention. A cat might nip at your feet if they are bored or seeking play. To deter this, providing appropriate outlets like scratching posts can help redirect unwanted behaviors such as scratching furniture or bothering other pets.
Biting During Play
Nipping during playtime is common. If your cat bites you during a play session, redirect their attention to a toy. Similarly, cats may bite each other during play. Bell explains that if the biting is accompanied by quiet engagement and neither cat is trying to escape, it’s likely playful. Yowling and attempts to get away indicate non-playful biting.
Strategies to Manage and Redirect Cat Biting
While cats will naturally continue to bite to some extent, you can foster a happier relationship by implementing these strategies:
Redirect Biting: When your cat bites, offer an appropriate toy, such as a catnip-filled toy, and praise them when they engage with it. This teaches them what is acceptable to bite.
Engage in Play: Regular interactive play sessions using toys like teasers and wand toys can satisfy a cat’s natural predatory and biting instincts in an appropriate way.
Respect Touch Preferences: Learn your cat’s individual preferences for petting. Pay attention to their body language and stop before they show signs of overstimulation. Most cats enjoy being petted under the chin and near their ears, while the belly and legs can sometimes trigger a negative reaction.
Interpret Body Language: Be attuned to your cat’s signals that indicate they want to be left alone or are feeling overwhelmed. Pay attention to signals to avoid unwanted interactions.
Offer Choices: Allow your cat the freedom to choose their activities and to disengage from situations when they desire. Seeking their consent before initiating interaction can build trust.
Consider a Second Kitten: When adopting, especially kittens, consider getting two. Kittens learn from each other that playful biting is acceptable between them, reducing the likelihood of them biting their human companions excessively.
It is crucial not to punish your cat for biting, as this is ineffective, can damage your relationship, and may lead to increased fear-based reactivity.
What to Do If You’re Bitten by a Cat
If a cat bite breaks your skin, it’s important to act quickly. Wash the wound thoroughly with water, apply pressure to control any bleeding, and seek medical attention promptly. Cat bites carry a significant risk of infection and disease, so your doctor may prescribe preventative antibiotics to avoid complications.
Featured Image: zsv3207/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
WRITTEN BY
Janelle Leeson
Freelance Writer
