Why Cats Bite

Ow! Your cat just bit you, and those little teeth are sharp. Why did your cat bite?

Your cat may be afraid. Your child might be yanking on the cat's tail. Or, maybe an unfamiliar person is tried to pick up the cat. Cats will bite to protect themselves.

Cats often bite when they are playing. You may be strolling across the room and suddenly have a toe attacked. Some cats hate to have their bellies tickles and will bite your hand. Although this biting is normal behavior for cats, you probably don't want your cat to bite you or your family. Help your cat release energy by playing chase and pounce with cat toys that have long poles so your hands don't get in the way. Don't use your hand or other body part as the object to be chased as this just encourages biting.

Some kitties bite to, believe it or not, show love. Cats bite each other lightly to demonstrate their affection for each other, and your cat may be giving you love cat-style. Some cats will also bite gently while they are licking you. The cat is actually grooming you, and it is customary for cats to bite softly while they groom each other.

Cats bite to let you know that they have had enough attention for awhile. Your cat may be purring contently while you pet her and then turn around and bite to get you to stop petting. Cats usually will give signals that they have had enough before they bite such as laying back their ears or making circles with their tails.

Pain can cause cats to bite. If your cat suddenly starts biting for no apparent reason, get a vet exam to rule out any physical problems.

Handling kittens in the presence of the mother cat can also get you bitten since cat mothers tend to be very protective of their offspring. Usually the mother will stop biting once the kittens are older.

If your cat is biting, there are several possible causes. By not playing aggressively with your cat, treating underlying medical conditions, and knowing natural cat behavior, you can reduce or eliminate the biting and enjoy your cat friend.