If humans explore the world using their hands and feet, cats do it with their teeth and claws. So nipping is a normal behaviour for your feline friend. In most cases, this gesture is a sign of affection and is generally harmless.
However, some cats bite their owners out of aggression as a defence mechanism or a way to protect their territory. Find out if your pet is being affectionate or aggressive by understanding their behaviour.
1. Normal Behaviour
The natural instincts of cats to bite developed during their close interaction with their littermates and mothers. They may have engaged in mock fights, playfully nipping but not inflicting injury. This is called play biting.
However, orphaned cats or lonely cats who have been weaned early may have never known the difference between playing and real fighting. As a result, their play bites may turn more aggressive, which is known as play-induced overstimulation.
With this in mind, never use your hands to play with your cat to reduce the risk of being a receiver of an accidental bite or scratch. Use cat toys instead.
2. A Form of Feline Affection
Known as love biting, this gesture is reminiscent of the affectionate nibbling and grooming she received from her mother.
3. Petting-Induced Aggression
Repetitive petting triggers aggression because the gesture produces static electricity in a cat’s fur, and it gives an unpleasant sensation. It often results in overstimulation, which causes your cat to feel overly excited, hence the need to bite.
Thus, it is important to be sensitive when petting your cat. When she starts suddenly biting, this serves as a sign that she wants some space. Make sure that you provide it to her.
4. Hyperaesthesia Syndrome
Hyperaesthesia is also known as twitchy cat syndrome. It is a strange disorder that may develop in cats due to the extremely high level of sensitivity of the skin.
A feline diagnosed with this type of syndrome may be overly sensitive to certain areas of the body or the whole body. Biting becomes a way for cats to communicate to owners that they don’t want to be touched.
Although the condition may occur in any breed, it is believed to be more prevalent with the Abyssinian, Burmese, and Siamese.
5. Redirected Aggression
Some cat owners become unfortunate victims of redirected aggression in felines. This behaviour happens when a cat gets excited by a certain stimulus, but she cannot direct her aggression to it.
Redirected aggression biting occurs when she redirects her frustration to the person or animal near them.
One of the best ways to address this issue is to remove the stimulus that causes distress in your cat. For example, if the chipmunks in your backyard are the root of the problem, place deterrents to keep them out.
6. Your Feline May Be in Pain
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Important Things to Remember
- Be extra sensitive when touching a cat’s belly because it’s vulnerable.
- Watch your cat’s body language.
- Beware when the cat’s skin is rippling with a twitching tail. It’s a sign of an overly excited cat during playtime or petting.
- A bored cat with pent-up energy is likely to bite or scratch.
- Avoid punishing your cat for biting, as it can result in aggression.
What to Do If You Got Bitten By a Cat?
Cats have sharp teeth. A strong bite can break through the skin and cause painful injury. Moreover, the saliva of felines carries certain bacteria that might enter the puncture wound.
It is always advisable to clean the affected area immediately after getting bitten. For minor cat bites, the basic things to do include the following:
- Wash the affected area with soap and water
- Use clean water to apply pressure to the wounded area so it stops the bleeding.
- Put a sterile bandage on the affected area.
- Keep the injured area elevated above your heart to prevent swelling and infection.
Cat bites are dangerous as they can cause infection and cat scratch fever. Signs of infection may manifest in a few hours. Symptoms include:
- Redness – The first sign is redness around the affected area. If the redness continues to spread, it might be a sign of blood poisoning.
- Heat – When the surrounding area gets warmer than the other parts of the body, it is a sign that antibodies are attempting to fight off infection.
- Odour – Untreated wounds may develop an unusual odour.
- Pus – When the wound is infected, it may swell like a pimple and will eventually pop or drain. However, any wound should be examined by a doctor.
- Fever – When the wound is left untreated for too long, the affected person may develop a fever.
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FAQs About Why My Cat Bites Me
1. Why Does My Cat Randomly Bite Me Unprovoked?
There are various reasons why your cat randomly bites you unprovoked. It could be due to overstimulation caused by petting, redirected aggression, or an underlying illness.
In some instances, the cause is less concerning. She might just be feeling playful and want to initiate playtime with you. Try to identify the triggers of her bites by observing her body language and surroundings to find the most appropriate solution.
2. Why Does My Cat Grab My Hand and Bite Me?
When your cat grabs your hand and bites you, she displays her natural hunting instincts. Do not let her continue playing with your hand to be safe from injuries. Redirect her attention and energy to chasing a feather wand or keep her busy fetching a ball.
3. Why Does My Cat Gently Bite Me?
Your cat bites you gently as a form of affection. During kittenhood, young cats receive loving nips and grooming from their mothers. When they grow into adult cats, they adopt this behaviour and, in turn, show their love to their owners the same way.
4. Should I Hiss at My Cat When She Bites?
You can hiss at your cat when she bites, but do not expect her to understand the intention behind it. Whilst you can mimic feline vocalisation, it does not mean she can comprehend human hissing or meows.
Conclusion
Biting in cats is not an automatic act of aggression. Many felines give their owners gentle nips as a way to communicate their love for them. Others bite when playing because their hunting instincts are activated.
Overstimulation is also another reason why pets end up biting their owners. However, this is merely a sign that they want peace and quiet. Their bites do not break through the skin.
Redirected aggression, on the other hand, may trigger cats to bite hard. So be attentive to your cat’s body language and her surroundings. Look out for stimuli that may bring about such behaviour.
When sick or injured, your feline friend will be extra sensitive to touch. Make sure she receives the medical care she needs to prevent further abnormal changes in her behaviour.
