When the cat bites
Unsuspectingly, you want to relax and cuddle with your house cat - but suddenly you feel your kitty's teeth in your arms, hand or even foot? You will quickly be reminded that the strong teeth of your tame furry nose once ensured its survival. But don't worry – when you feel your pet's teeth, it doesn't always have to be an attack. You can find out what reasons make your cat bite in the following article!
Why do cats bite?
At the sight of our tame outdoor or indoor cats, their origin as wildcats can quickly be forgotten. Cats are predators and nimble hunters who can grab and kill their prey thanks to their thirty permanent teeth – a perfect tool for surviving in the wild. Even today, biting your cat is part of its natural behavior: In disputes with other cats, outdoor cats in particular use their teeth to defend their territory, for example. But not only can cats put their enemies to flight with the help of their teeth, their teeth are also essential for food intake.
In addition to hunting or hunting behavior, these reasons can also be behind your furry friend's biting attacks:
- Fear: If your cat feels uncomfortable and anxious, it may bite and scratch to defend itself.
- Sensitivity: If you pet your kitten in a sensitive area, your cat will tell you through its claws or teeth that it is uncomfortable. If you suspect pain in your furry friend, clarify the cause with a veterinarian.
- Attention: Especially a house cat in solitary keeping can suffer from boredom - with a bite he can tell you that he needs attention and activity.
- Lovemaking: During lovemaking, the cat often bites into the neck of the queen to keep her in position.
- Personal hygiene: Have you ever observed how your velvet paw cleans itself and then bites its fur? With her teeth, she can use this technique to stop the itching in certain parts of the body or remove matting.
Cat bites without warning
Does it sometimes seem like your cat is biting out of nowhere? This behavior could be caused by the following:
- You don't notice their signals: When petting, it can quickly happen that you don't hear your cat's signals lost in thought. Therefore, stay attentive and observe whether your furry friend feels comfortable with your cuddles. If you notice a twitching of the ears or tail, you should stop cuddling.
- Your cat is overstimulated: Not only humans, but also cats can overreact due to sensory overload. In the case of overstimulation, your cat can warn you with a bite when petting you that it is just too much for him.
- Aggression shift: It is quite possible that your house tiger has seen a fellow cat or an animal out of the window that has invaded its territory. Some cats are so frustrated by this that they take out their aggression on their humans. Often people don't even notice the actual cause, so it seems as if the cat bites out of nowhere.
- The love bite in cats: If the bite is rather tender and your cat only exerts light pressure, it can be the so-called love bite: Your cat wants to tenderly tell you its affection or ask you to play. The love bite is usually accompanied by a relaxed posture, purring and light headbutts.
Stop cats from biting - in 4 simple stepsn
If you look closely, you can often recognise from your cat's body language when a bite is imminent. Alternatively, you can also actively discourage biting in 4 steps:
- Keep your distance as soon as your furry friend bites.
- With a clear "no" you communicate that this behaviour is undesirable.
- Now direct your cat's attention to its toy.
- Reward her with a snack as soon as she behaves peacefully.
Cat bite - when to see a doctor?
It is always advisable to consult a doctor after a cat bite. Cats are small creatures, but they have enormous bite power. Their pointed canines in particular can penetrate deep into human tissue. Germs and pathogens can also enter the wound through saliva - so the risk of infection is even higher than with dog bites. During a visit to the doctor, the cat bite is carefully cleaned and treated by a doctor.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my cat bite while cuddling?
If your cat bites you while cuddling, there can be several reasons. The cuddling can tickle or maybe your cat doesn't want to be stroked at that moment. If you have stroked them in a sensitive area, a bite can be done as a protective reflex.
Why does my cat jump on me and bite?
There can also be several reasons for this. Often jumping and biting is a remnant of the play behavior of young kittens. If this has not been trained, adult cats also tend to announce their play instinct in this form. In other cases, however, cats also express their dissatisfaction. If she feels underutilized and neglected, you should extend the play sessions with your furry friend.
Why does my cat lick me and then bite?
Cats clean the fur with their tongue and occasionally bite into it to get rid of matting or itching. When your cat transfers their grooming routine to you, it's a token of love. The biting here is rather gentle and careful.
Why is my cat biting my foot?
Your moving feet are ideal for your cat to live out its hunting instinct and prove its hunting skills. If the attack on your feet bothers you, you can simulate a hunt with appropriate toys. Mice or cat fishing rods are ideal.
Conclusion: In order to be able to assess the biting maneuvers of your velvet paw, you should always take its environment into account. There may be certain triggers that tempt your cat to bite. If you learn to avoid them, it can make your cuddling and playing hours easier. Does your kitten also snap occasionally? Feel free to tell us in the comments section how you dealt with it!