Why do cats bite? Cats bite during play when they want attention, or if they feel scared. Young cats naturally bite and use their paws to learn about their surroundings, and these habits can last as they grow up.
Since cat bites can hurt and sometimes cause injuries, you should teach your cat not to bite people. Let’s look at why cats bite and how to prevent it.
Why Does My Cat Bite Me?
Cats bite for many reasons. Young kittens usually bite when their teeth are growing in, or when they want to play and explore. Adult cats typically bite for different reasons than kittens do.
Lack of Bite Inhibition
Kittens learn good behavior and proper play by spending time with their mother and siblings. When kittens leave home too early, they miss these vital lessons, so their new owners must teach them instead. Even grown cats who weren’t taught well as kittens may need to learn that biting and scratching hurts, just like their mother would have taught them.
Play
Cats often bite and scratch during play, both with other cats and people. When playing with you, your cat might bite and grab you with their mouth, which can hurt. Sometimes cats get too excited during play and bite harder than they mean to. They might also bite if they feel overwhelmed and try to protect themselves.
Overstimulation
Cats sometimes enjoy being petted but may suddenly bite or scratch without warning. This happens because too much petting can overwhelm them. While cats use body language to show they’ve had enough, these signs are often hard for us to notice.
Self-Defense and Fear
Cats, like other animals, often bite when they feel scared or in danger. They may also bite to make people or animals stop doing things they don’t like. If biting worked for them before – like making someone stop trimming their nails – they learn to use biting to get their way.
Redirected Aggression
Cats may act aggressively toward people when they’re bothered by something different. Other pets or animals nearby can make cats feel threatened or protective of their space. If you happen to be close when a cat is upset, they might bite you instead of what’s bothering them. For example, if a cat can’t catch a bird or bug they see through a window, they might take out their frustration on you.
Attention Seeking
Cats sometimes bite to tell you something or get your attention. Rather than making sounds, they may give you a small bite. If your cat bites you gently and then tries to guide you somewhere, like their food or toys, they might be trying to tell you what they want.
Affection
Some cats show their love by gently biting, but sometimes they bite harder than they mean to. When cats give these friendly bites, they often lick you too – it’s their way of giving kisses.
Pain or Illness
Most health issues can cause pain, and cats may bite when they hurt, particularly if someone touches a painful spot. Check with your vet first to make sure your cat isn’t sick before thinking it’s just bad behavior.
What To Do When Your Cat Bites
If your cat bites you, stop what you’re doing and figure out why. Look at how your cat is acting and what’s happening around them. Help them feel better by making changes, like closing blinds or moving other pets away. Wait until your cat is relaxed before petting them again.
When your cat bites during play, say “ouch” and move your hand away, just like other cats do. This helps stop the play but isn’t meant to punish your cat. If your cat bites and holds on, push toward the bite instead of pulling away. Pulling back might make your cat bite harder.
If your cat keeps biting, talk to your vet first. There might be a health reason for this behavior.
How to Stop Your Cat From Biting You
You can lower the risk of cat bites by teaching your cat better behavior.
Train Your Cat Using Positive Reinforcement
Cats can learn to play gently without biting. They can still play-bite softly and pat you with their paws (without claws) during playtime. Start teaching these good habits as soon as you get your cat.
You can teach better behaviors. For example, if your cat attacks your feet when you enter a room, teach them to sit for a treat instead. Using a clicker with treats can help train your cat.
Give treats or praise when your cat plays gently on their own. This encourages good behavior.
Never let cats play with your hands, fingers, or toes. This teaches them that hands are toys. Don’t let them play with your clothes either, as cats won’t understand the difference between clothes and skin.
Don’t hit or physically punish your cat. This makes them more aggressive and scared of you.
Be Consistent
Keep your reactions to your cat’s behavior the same each time, and ask everyone in your home and guests to follow these rules too. If your cat gets different responses from different people, training will be much harder.
Redirect Your Cat
When your cat bites, give them a cat toy instead. Many cats love playing with stuffed animals. Keep at least three different toys around to keep your cat interested. Treat-dispensing toys are great because they reward your cat for playing with the right things and keep them busy.
When to Seek Professional Help
If your cat is healthy but training isn’t working, ask your vet to suggest a qualified pet behavior expert. They can help you create a plan to change your cat’s behavior. You can also find an expert through the IAABC website.
How to Treat a Cat Bite
Cat bites are very harmful and can make you or your pets very sick. They often lead to bad infections that need quick treatment. If a cat bites you, go to a doctor right away. Most cat bites (up to 75%) put harmful germs into your body, including different types of bacteria. You can also get cat scratch fever from these bites.
If you get bitten, you might see signs of infection within a few hours. Bites on your hands, joints, or tendons are especially dangerous. Don’t wait – take these steps right away if a cat bites you:
- Press on the cat bites to push out bacteria. This may cause bleeding but helps remove harmful germs.
- Clean the bite well with soap and water. Dry it with a clean cloth.
- Visit a doctor right away. They will check and clean the wound, give you medicine if needed, close the wound with stitches if required, and update your tetanus shot if necessary.
After seeing the doctor, do what they tell you and keep the wound clean. Look for signs the wound might be infected, like if it’s red, leaking fluid, swollen, painful, or if you get a fever. If you notice any of these, return to the doctor immediately.
If you think your pet is sick, call your vet now. When you have questions about your pet’s health, ask your vet because they know your pet’s medical history and can give you the best advice.
