Causes Why Cats Bite and How to Prevent It

Playful cats who nip or bite too aggressively could be trying to assert dominance. Playing with human hands should never be encouraged as this only furthers their natural hunting instincts in going after moving prey (ie: humans).

Many cat owners refer to this behavior as “redirected aggression.” Redirected aggression occurs when your pet becomes upset over something and takes out their anger on you instead of seeking resolution elsewhere.

Anxiety

When your cat bites, it can seem aggressive and terrifying – however gaining insight into why they do it will help reduce anxiety for both parties involved.

Cat bites can often be understood as attempts by an animal to communicate something about its environment or interactions with humans. For instance, cats often bite when overstimulated and wanting time alone. Or it could indicate hunger or need for toys; or in response to unfamiliar or scary experiences like vet visits or moving homes (this behavior known as redirected aggression can often be prevented with some pre-visit preparation from the pet owner).

Other causes for bites could be playing too roughly, chasing after something they can’t catch (which often leads to misperceptions of aggression), pain, hunger or illness; in addition, cats sometimes bite when feeling threatened or cornered – this type of behavior usually includes swatting ears back and hissing as part of its signature behavior.

Fear

Stressful situations for cats often prompt bite-back behaviors in order to protect themselves, whether this means a trip to the vet, welcoming in a new pet or change to their routine which causes anxiety. If this is happening to you, try and understand why and work with a feline behaviorist in order to stop any further biting incidents.

If your cat seems like they may be trying to bite as a form of play, be sure to give them lots of positive attention such as petting and playing with toys on their terms – this will reduce any instances where they bite out in response to being left without enough positive interaction from you.

Do not pull back sharply when being loved on; doing so encourages the animal to grab and bite you more like they would with prey animals. Press back gently with both hand and arm until they release you – this method may work better than any clicker and treat combo that jolt them! If necessary, use both clicker and treat to show that their attention will come back if they stop biting!

Pain

Cats can be adept at hiding pain, so any sudden biting from out of nowhere could indicate they are feeling discomfort. Your veterinarian should check for dental disease, back or belly pain or any other health problems which could be causing discomfort for your cat.

Love bites, which involve bites that pierce but don’t break skin, are given when cats become overstimulated with petting and playing, such as when overstimulation results from too much petting or playing. Veterinarians suggest providing your cat with a safe place or cat tree where she can retreat when need be.

Never yell or shake a cat that bites; doing so can only escalate their aggression further. Instead, immediately clean bite wounds with cool running water and mild soap to eliminate bacteria and prevent infection; be sure to rewash frequently to monitor any redness, swelling or oozing from the wound.

Frustration

Biting may be a telltale sign that your cat has had enough petting or play, or is frustrated about something they encounter. Sometimes a bite may just be play aggression: just as we sometimes bite to grab something out of someone else’s hands, cats may bite as part of play aggression too! If your kitty loves chasing objects around the room, try throwing toys they can easily catch to prevent frustration building up and leading them down the path toward biting.

If your cat bites during play, be sure to praise and redirect them with appropriate toys such as beads or treat-dispensing toys. A medium volume, high-pitched “ow” may also help alert them that rough or toothy play is unacceptable and reward gentle play while ignoring biting and clawing to teach them new communication methods when communicating their needs.

Miscommunication

Cats use body language and vocalizations to communicate, but if their needs are ignored they may bite. A young cat or kitten who nips and mouths its owner may be trying to engage in rough play but this should never be encouraged as this could lead to serious injuries. For maximum play behavior encourage your cat with interactive toys such as stuffed animals or treat dispensing wands that increase distance between hands and paws; such as toys that allow more separation.

Biting can also be seen as a defensive response by cats; this form of aggression should be taken seriously as its bacteria-filled mouth can create difficult-to-treat infections in cats’ mouths. Watch for signs such as hissing, crouching down and dilated pupils which signal aggression from your cat; when these appear stop petting him/her immediately and walk away immediately as punishment such as shouting or using a spray bottle can only make matters worse for everyone involved.