Why does my cat bite?
Surely it has happened with your cat before that you have been bitten. Why and in what situation your house tiger suddenly bites can vary greatly and is not automatically a sign of malicious behavior. In general, you should keep in mind that the contact with cats usually exists on a narrow line between pleasant petting and irritating closeness. Even the →friendliest, most affectionate cat can bite sometimes; after all, it is a living being and not a stuffed toy.
A cat bite can lightly pinch or even cause really strong pain. The intensity of the bite already reveals a lot about why your cat just bit. Both aggression and playfulness can lead to your cat biting. Find out now how you can properly classify the biting behavior and the corresponding body language of your kitty.
Reasons why cats bite out of aggression:
- Self-defense
- Fear
- Stress, irritation, confusion
- Pain
- Aggressiveness
- Boredom, under-stimulation
- Jealousy
- Tickling
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Damit deine Katze nicht aus Langeweile beißt, solltest du für ausreichend Beschäftigung sorgen.
Normally, your cat gives you signals when it is not comfortable. This can be a twitching tail, ears turned back, or a clear hiss. If your kitty exhibits unexplained biting behavior, it’s wise to seek veterinary advice, as it may be suffering from pain.
Cat bites without aggression:
In this case, the bites are not directed at you but explain your cat's behavior.
- Grooming and cleaning, for example, when there are tangles in the fur
- Scratching itchy fur areas with their teeth
- Lifting and transporting kittens by the mother cat
- Cat love play: The tomcat bites into the neck of the queen cat
Why does my cat bite while cuddling and petting?
A cat bite can occur both out of aggression and out of love. Yes, you read that correctly. So-called "love bites" are usually a gentle nibble. With this, your cat shows you →affection and connection. This biting behavior of your cat is completely instinctive; cats use this type of communication during mating behavior.
If your cat lightly bites you while cuddling or petting, you don’t need to worry. You will be able to distinguish this nibbling from stronger, aggressive biting, which is usually accompanied by hissing.
However, during cuddling, there can also be a mood shift. This may be due to certain body parts of your cat being more sensitive than others. On the belly or paws, a petting session can trigger your house tiger's defense mode. This can vary individually from cat to cat. You should therefore know and especially respect the boundaries of your furry friend.
[TRANSLATION ERROR] Deine Katze zu streicheln stärkt eure Bindung – achte darauf, dass es euch beiden dabei gut geht.
How to stop cats from biting
If your cat's bites are unpleasant for you or you simply do not like the behavior, you can →train it out. If you pay particular attention to your house tiger's body language, an upcoming bite is usually predictable and can be prevented. If your cat bites to get attention, it often helps to ignore this behavior.
If you want to actively train your cat not to bite, here are our tips:
- Stop petting or playing immediately and keep your distance as soon as your cat starts to bite.
- With a clear, firm "No," you communicate to your cat that its behavior is not acceptable.
- Redirect your cat's attention to one of its toys instead.
- Avoid sudden movements.
- Reward your cat with a snack when it behaves calmly and peacefully or engages with its toy.
Snacks provide your cat with a bit more (palate) joy during training and can enhance the training effect. Our treats contain lots of protein and nutrients from natural ingredients. We do not include grains, sugars, or artificial colors and flavors.
Leckere Katzen-Snacks fürs Training oder zwischendurch
My cat bit me, should I see a doctor?
You should always have a cat bite medically treated. In this case, there is no difference whether it is just a superficial scratch on your skin or a deep, bleeding bite. Because cat bites can be quite dangerous for humans.
All the teeth of a cat bite are sharp, not just the canines. The bite force of a house tiger compared to its body size is enormous. Thus, the teeth can penetrate deep into human tissue and also saliva, which contains germs, can enter the wound. The risk of infection is therefore very high, especially compared to a dog bite.
We don't want to scare you, but an untreated cat bite can lead to complications, even resulting in the amputation of a finger. Therefore, seek medical attention as soon as possible. The good news is, however, that the bite of a healthy and well-cared-for house cat is usually associated with a significantly lower risk than that of a sick or stray cat without veterinary care. Stray cats, for example, can transmit rabies and tetanus through a bite – which can have life-threatening consequences.
