Welcome to our “Detraining Your Pet” series, where we help you “detrain” your pet from those naughty or boring bad habits and get them back to being the best boys and girls.
If you have a kitten, it’s almost certain to nibble (or chew) you at some point. An adult cat biting you is not uncommon either. Why do cats bite their parents if they love them? Are they playing, are they crazy or is there some other reason? We’ll look at why cats bite their humans and how to stop your cat from using your hand as a personal pincushion.
Biting is a natural instinct for cats
Cuddling with your adorable kitty on the couch can make it hard to remember that your adorable cuddly companion is actually a born predator. Cats are naturally wired to stalk and attack moving objects (i.e. prey). This can include your ankles as you walk past or your snake-like fingers innocently scratching your chin.
However, channeling their hunting instincts isn’t the only reason cats bite. It’s normal for adult cats to bite when playing with other cats, and one of the reasons kittens bite is to release some of their stored up energy. Kittens may also bite because they are teething and looking for something to chew on, or because they are still adjusting to the world around them.
Kittens often bite and nip as they go through a developmental phase. Fortunately, this biting phase usually fades around one to two years of age. But it can seem like an eternity if their snacking is daily!
Does Kitty really want to play?
There are probably days when a friend asks you out and you prefer to stay home. It’s the same for your cat. They may not be in the mood to play, even if you are.
It’s important to read your cat’s body language to check if he’s in the mood to play or if you should come back later. If your cat is wrinkled with a wriggling back, he’s ready to pounce and play. If they are lying down and lying down, they are relaxed. If their tail is straight or has a little curl at the end and their fur is flat, life is good. These are all great signs that they’re probably ready for some red dot hunting.
The signs of a cat “I’m not in the mood to play” are when they snuggle up to the floor with big eyes and pinched ears. A really bored cat will whip its tail back and forth – and the faster the whip, the more annoyed it is.
Petting your cat in the wrong place could also bring out those sharp teeth. Cats generally don’t appreciate having their paws, paws, tail or belly touched. Of course, every cat is different and you may know that some of these areas are suitable for your cat. The places that cats usually welcome with scratches and bumps are on their backs, around their cheeks and at the base of their ears and under their chin.
Don’t Train Your Cat to Bite You
When cats play with their feline friends in a group, they like to growl and bite as part of their normal play behavior. When the commotion becomes too much for a cat, it barks or walks away from its companion who is causing trouble.
You can engage in this distancing behavior to show your cat that her bite is not appreciated. If your cat bites you, walk away for about a minute, ignoring it. Come back and start playing again and reward their good behavior. You can also divert his attention from your hand by offering him a toy, then reinforce his good behavior when he plays with the toy (and doesn’t bite you).
Sometimes cats can get upset and overstimulated, which can lead to biting. If this happens, put them in a safe place to calm down for 5-10 minutes. When they are calm, greet them with lots of love and affection.
Avoid using negative reinforcement or physical punishment when your cat bites you, as this can lead to fear and aggression. You should avoid fighting (wrestling) with your cat as this can also encourage bad biting behavior. Anyway, cats don’t like to play rough as much as dogs.
Respect the “No bite” rule
When teaching your cat not to bite, make sure everyone in your household follows the no-biting policy at all times. Your cat will become confused if it is allowed to play by biting one person’s fingers but not another’s.
Kitten bites can be cute and probably don’t hurt too much, but remember that those little teeth grow into big, sharp teeth, so it’s best not to let your kitten bite you. Use toys to play with your kitten instead of your hands.
When to call a professional
Biting is a natural behavior for cats, but if your cat shows signs of aggression, constantly breaking skin, showing signs of pain, stiffening and staring at you before biting, or becoming aggressive with new people, it’s time to ask. your veterinarian or a certified animal behaviorist for advice.
Don’t be feverish after a cat bite
If your cat breaks your skin by biting (or scratching) you, it is important to immediately clean the wound with soap and warm water. Cat bites and scratches can introduce bacteria or other pathogens into your body, including the bacteria that causes cat-scratch disease (CSD), better known as cat-scratch fever. About 40% of cats are infected with the bacteria that causes CSD (Bartonella henselae) which is commonly transmitted to cats by infected fleas.
Most cats show no signs of illness if infected with Bartonella henselae and most cases of CSD in men are not serious (eg, headache, fever, swollen lymph nodes). However, people with weakened immune systems may experience more serious complications. By using flea preventative products year-round, you can help prevent your cat from becoming infected with Bartonella henselae and avoid cat scratch fever.
It is possible to prevent your cat from biting you. By showing them that it’s not acceptable behavior and that it’s much more fun to play with a toy, hopefully over time, “Ouch” will be heard less and less during playtime with your cat.
RELATED: Busting Pet Myths: Cats Can’t Be Trained