Cats can be cute, cuddly balls of fluff that we can’t love enough. Then there are other times when our cats can show us another side of them we didn’t expect. Often these other sides take us by surprise. You can simply be walking through your house, hearing your kitty purr softly. You reach down, thinking your cat is wanting your attention, then suddenly, instead of enjoying your pet, your cat bites you. This kind of behavior can come at the oddest times leaving you to wonder what it means when your cat bites you. Let’s take a look at this behavior and learn some of the common reasons our cats bite us.
The 12 Possible Reasons Your Cat Bites You
1. A Cat’s Age
While a kitten is both a treasure and a menace in most homes, it’s due to them being so young. They don’t know how to act yet. If the cat in your home bites you out of the blue and they are only a kitten, it could be their way of learning the ropes or dealing with teething pain. Typically, however, this kind of rough play usually goes away after the cat is 4 months of age or older.
2. Changes in the Environment
We all know cats are notoriously creatures of habit. They aren’t fans of change in their homes or environments. When these types of changes take place, it can put them under lots of stress that affects their behavior. Stress is a great catalyst for making your cat lash out. Simple things such as a new baby in the home, a new pet, or even construction going on outside can trigger your kitty’s nerves and make them bite unsuspectedly.
3. Playing
We mentioned that kittens often don’t realize how to play and accidentally bite us instead. However, adult cats do know what they’re doing and sometimes they want to play rough. This is because they love to pounce, stalk, and have fun when they are playing. If you want to avoid getting bitten at times like this, use toys to play with your cat instead.
4. Fearfulness
It’s a natural reaction for a cat to bite if they are afraid. This can happen if you bring a new pet into the house or if visitors come by. If your cat isn’t comfortable, fear can take over. You or the people visiting the home may decide to reach out to pet the cat and be met with a bite. Before resorting to biting, the cat will try to use their body language to show you that they aren’t feeling comfortable, but these signs can be missed if you’re not paying close attention. Most cats will try to leave or wiggle out of people’s arms, but if they feel cornered and threatened, they may bite or scratch. This isn’t your cat’s fault. It is simply their way of telling you they are scared and don’t want to be bothered.
Cats may also become anxious and unsettled if their environment is not safe and comfortable. This makes them feel on edge and scared. If they witness an argument in the house or they have an aggressive owner, the cat may react aggressively as well. This can often lead to unexpected and unwanted bites.
5. Overstimulation
Sometimes, a light bite may occur after you have been cuddling your cat for a little while, leaving you puzzled. However, it’s not that uncommon, as cats may become a little annoyed or overstimulated, their fur may experience uncomfortable static from our constant petting, and they have decided enough is enough. Again, this can be avoided by careful consideration of the cat’s body language and respecting their limits.
6. Wanting Attention
If your cat wants you to show them a little attention and you don’t, you can expect your kitty to find ways to provoke a response from you. Any cat owner out there knows we must bend to their will. When your kitty wants a little love and you ignore them, a bite isn’t unusual. It’s your cat’s way of getting your attention when they want it, although it may not be positive attention.
7. Love Bites
While it may seem odd, cats often show affection by lightly biting you. These bites aren’t usually hard and don’t break the skin. Love bites are many kitties’ ways of loving their owner and being affectionate.
8. Your Cat Is Grooming You
When a cat loves you, they often want to show that by grooming you. This is due to them enjoying it themselves. While the feel of their tongue can be a bit sandpapery, it’s not unusual to experience the occasional bite during this process. When a cat runs into a particularly bad mat in their fur, they bite it out. Biting is a part of grooming in the kitty world.
9. Practicing Their Hunting Skills
Cats are predators. While we want to see them as cuties that lounge on our sofas, that’s not always the case. Think about how your cat acts when a mouse is in the house or even a fly. Instantly, your kitty kicks into hunt mode. For cats that don’t get the chance to hone these hunting skills, a little occasional harmless attack on their owners isn’t far-fetched.
10. Setting Boundaries
Every cat is different. One cat may love being petted, while another may despise it. Biting is often the way a cat sets boundaries with those in the family. If you pet a cat in a spot they don’t like or they simply don’t like petting in general, you will get bitten. You’ll also find they don’t mind setting the same boundaries with anyone who comes into the home and tries to pet them.
11. Boredom and Frustration
If your cat is not getting enough physical exercise and mental stimulation, and their environment is not enriching and fun, they may become bored and frustrated. This leads to various undesirable behaviors, such as scratching and chewing of the furniture, toileting outside of the litter box, as well as pouncing on the owners overnight and biting their toes, as a way to get some excitement. Increase your cat’s activity and ensure their environment is stimulating enough so your kitty is content and relaxed at the end of the day.
12. Your Cat Isn’t Feeling Well
Cats can feel unwell from time to time. Perhaps your kitty has an upset tummy or is aching in some way. If you walk up and pet your kitty when they are under the weather, they could bite. Always watch your kitty’s actions. They can’t tell us when they are sick. It’s up to us to notice and take the proper steps.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve shared the common reasons your cat may bite you, understanding your kitty should be easier. You can take a look at what’s happening in your home to determine what is making your cat lash out and how you can remedy it. Always remember to pay close attention to your cat’s behavior and if there are sudden changes. If you notice any changes or are concerned about your cat’s behavior, reach out to your veterinarian for assistance.
- You Might Also Be Interested In: What to Do If a Cat Bites You
Featured Image Credit: Julia Pavaliuk, Shutterstock
Contents
- The 12 Possible Reasons Your Cat Bites You
- 1. A Cat’s Age
- 2. Changes in the Environment
- 3. Playing
- 4. Fearfulness
- 5. Overstimulation
- 6. Wanting Attention
- 7. Love Bites
- 8. Your Cat Is Grooming You
- 9. Practicing Their Hunting Skills
- 10. Setting Boundaries
- 11. Boredom and Frustration
- 12. Your Cat Isn’t Feeling Well
- Conclusion
