Cats communicate a wide range of emotions through subtle body language, which can often be misunderstood by their human companions. Biting, a common feline behavior, is frequently perceived negatively. However, understanding the underlying reasons behind a cat’s bite is crucial for addressing it 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 a natural behavior, there are strategies owners can employ to redirect this instinct and foster a harmonious relationship with their feline friends.
Why Do Cats Bite?
It’s important not to ignore when your cat bites. Several factors can contribute to this behavior:
Love Bites and Overstimulation
A “love bite” can be an expression of affection, but it often signals that a cat is becoming overstimulated. This might start with gentle licking and progress to soft nibbling, serving as a polite way for the cat to indicate that the interaction is becoming too much and they are nearing their limit. According to Bell, these bites can be difficult to interpret, requiring owners to be cautious and considerate of their cat’s cues.
Overstimulation, also known as petting reactivity, can occur during petting sessions or if a cat experiences unwanted touch. Cats typically communicate their discomfort through signals such as ears turned outward, tail flicking, rippling skin, and quick head turns. If these signals are not heeded, a swat or bite may follow.
Biting Due to Pain
If your cat’s biting behavior is out of character, it could be a sign they are experiencing pain. Look for other indicators of discomfort, such as increased reactivity when a specific area is touched, a hunched body posture, hiding, a lack of appetite, or poor grooming habits.
Fear-Induced Biting
Fear is a significant motivator for biting in cats, often stemming from a feeling of being threatened or harmed. This can happen at home if a cat feels trapped or forced into a situation. Bell suggests that allowing cats the option to leave a situation can prevent them from feeling preyed upon. Due to their size difference, humans can unintentionally intimidate unsocialized cats. Prior to biting out of fear, cats will usually display clear warning signs like flattened ears, dilated pupils, raised fur, hissing, spitting, or snarling, indicating they feel threatened and require space.
Attention-Seeking Bites
Cats quickly learn that biting can effectively capture human attention. They might pounce on feet as a way to initiate play, especially when bored. Boredom can lead to misbehavior, including scratching furniture or bothering other pets. Providing scratching posts can help redirect inappropriate scratching behaviors.
Playful Biting
Nipping can occur during play. If your cat bites you while playing, redirect their attention to an appropriate toy. Cats may also bite each other during play. Bell notes that if cats are biting each other relatively quietly during play, it can be considered enrichment. Non-playful biting, however, often results in yowling, with one cat attempting to escape. The key difference lies in the sounds and behaviors: engaged play involves mutual participation, while reactive biting is characterized by distress.
How to Manage and Reduce Cat Biting
While a cat’s biting instinct cannot be entirely eliminated, owners can implement strategies to manage this behavior for a happier coexistence.
- Redirect Biting: When your cat bites, provide them with an appropriate toy, such as a catnip toy, and offer praise when they direct their biting towards it.
- Engage in Play: Daily interactive play sessions using cat teasers and wand toys can satisfy a cat’s natural predatory and biting instincts.
- Understand Touch Preferences: Learn and respect your cat’s boundaries regarding touch. Pay attention to their reactions and stop petting before they exhibit signs of overstimulation. Most cats enjoy petting under the chin and near their ears, while the belly and legs might elicit a nip or swat.
- Observe Body Language: Pay close attention to your cat’s signals that indicate they want to be left alone or are feeling overstimulated.
- Offer Choices and Consent: Allow your cat the freedom to choose their activities and to disengage from situations when they desire.
- Consider a Companion: Adopting two kittens together can help minimize biting. They learn from a young age that playful biting is acceptable between themselves, rather than with their human parents.
It is crucial not to punish your cat for biting, as this is ineffective, damaging to your relationship, and can lead to fear-induced reactivity.
What to Do If You Are Bitten by a Cat
If a cat bite breaks the skin, immediate action is necessary. 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, and a doctor may prescribe preventative antibiotics.
