Why Your Cat Bites While Petting
It’s important to know why your cat bites while petting, not only for your sake but also for kitty’s. They’re often referred to as ‘love bites’, but contrary to popular belief it’s not friendly behavior. It can quickly escalate from light nips to broken skin. How do you teach a cat to stop biting? You have to understand what makes the cat do it in the first place. Changing how you play and interact with kitty will make a tremendous difference in how he (or she) responds to you.
Don’t Treat Your Cat Like a Dog
First of all, cats shouldn’t be treated like dogs, and I don’t mean that in a figurative way. They prefer a gentler touch, and they really don’t like rough-housing. It may seem as if they do, but play fighting isn’t a good idea. It’s one of the main causes of aggressiveness in cats because they can’t differentiate rough play from mistreatment. Even if you never did that maybe someone else did. Instead of relaxing for grooming and chin rubs, kitty will become defensive. Cats that don’t like roughhousing will attack with every touch. One reason why your cat bites while petting is because of a get him before he gets me plan of action.
Why Your Cat Bites While Petting
So what if you don’t play fight with your cat and he (or she) still bites while petting? Not all cats can tolerate a lot of petting. Why do cats bite people’s arms and hands? Biting is kitty’s way of saying stop. Also, some don’t like to be touched in certain areas. For example, one of my cats hates having his belly rubbed, but the other one rolls around, stretches, and absolutely loves it. With that said, some areas on the second cat are absolute danger zones. She HATES having her lower back and tail touched, and she responds first by hissing and growling. What does it mean when a cat growls and hisses? Cats really don’t want to bite anyone, especially their pack members. Growls and hisses are warnings, and if the problem continues it will escalate into swatting and biting.
Ways to Stop a Cat from Biting While Petting
- Never play fight with a cat
- Don’t touch kitty in sensitive places
- Always use a gentle touch
- Respect kitty’s boundaries – stop petting if you notice signs of stress
- Help kitty release pent-up energy with interactive toys such as lasers and teaser wands
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Don’t Overstimulate the Cat
Last but not least, try not to overstimulate the cat through any method of touch. They can become overstimulated when petted and groomed too long. How long is too long? Every cat is different, and it’s up to you to watch for signs of stress in cats. When kitty is obviously no longer relaxed it’s time to back off. It’s also a major hint when kitty spreads his (or her) toes and extends his claws. Now that you know why your cat bites while petting, let kitty call the shots. Back off instead of pushing yourself on the cat, and let kitty decide when it’s time for attention.