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Cat Bites: How To Prevent Biting
If you have a pet cat, it is likely that at some point in your relationship you have been bitten or nipped by your pet. Even docile and domesticated cats sometimes bite. It doesn’t necessarily mean that they are a problem cat, that they have temperament problems or that you need to get rid of them. According to Jo Singer of petside.com, cats can bite to show love or to give you a warning.
Here are some common reasons cats bite and ways to control the behavior.
Cats are intelligent creatures and they want to communicate with their owners. They will use a variety of methods to get people’s attention. They may weave around legs, meow loudly, swat at you with their paw and even take a quick nip at you.
When your cat does this, he is likely just trying to get your attention. He is saying “hey I’m here and I’d like to be noticed, fed or petted.”
If you watch kittens and even grown cats playing with each other, they will often rough and tumble. Their games include biting and nipping at the other’s ears, tails and body.
Your cat may try to also nip your when you are playing with her. If you have a toy or are otherwise acting in a playful manner towards your cat, she takes that as a message that you want to play. Part of playing, for her, involves nipping at the foot or hand.
She may also nip if you touch parts of her that she prefers you don’t pet such as tail, belly or feet. Different cats have different areas that are sensitive. Learn what your cat prefers.
When your cat nips during playtime she will not usually bite down all the way or break the skin. Usually the bite is light with very little pressure behind it. She is either playing or reminding you that she doesn’t like to be petted in that way.
Anger and Fear
Your cat may also bite when he is angry. Most cats will give multiple warnings before they bite. These warnings include:
If your cat is angry and you continue to provoke him, he may feel that he has no alternative but to bite. Cats that feel cornered or trapped may also bite out of fear and frustration.
Pain or Illness
If your cat is usually even tempered but she suddenly becomes more irritable, hides, and hisses or claws and bites if you try to disturb her, she may be sick or injured. If your cat’s behavior changes drastically, take her into your vet’s for an evaluation. They may be able to evaluate if pain is causing her to lash out and bite.
How to get your cat to bite less
If your cat bites to get your attention or during play and you would like him to not do it, stop giving him attention immediately. If you withdraw your hand and your attention, the cat will learn, over time, that biting and nipping gets him less attention, not more.
You can tell her “no” in a firm voice. You can also get a little bit of water on your fingers and spritz it at her whenever she is biting.
When my cat plays with me and begins biting, I immediately turn away and stop giving her attention. Over time the number of times she bites me has lessened.
I also try not to provoke her. If I know that she doesn’t like to be petted in a certain way or picked up, I don’t force her to endure it. Remember she has no other way of telling you when she doesn’t like something.
If she is angry and lashing out, you may have to wait until she calms down. If you must acquire her when she is angry, a towel or blanket placed over her may help you to gain control of her and keep you from being scratched or bitten.
It is best to consult a vet about the behavior and about the best way to handle her.
Never handle angry, stray cats
If the cat is not yours, is not vaccinated or is a stray of unknown origin, make sure you do not approach him if he is angry and hissing. Cat bites from animals in the wild may cause infection or worse, rabies. If you are bitten by a stray cat, you should call animal control and your county rabies control office for instructions. You may want to go to the hospital or doctor for antibiotics or a tetanus shot.
Animal bites can be serious
Animal bites can be serious. According to the ASPCA, cat bites can cause a range of illnesses including the appropriately named Cat Scratch Fever.
This is why it is important that you learn what your cat is trying to tell you and the difference between a communicative nip from your cat and a serious leave-me-alone bite.
Talk to your vet
If you continue to have behavior issues, speak to your vet about alternate methods and ways to help your cat to bite less.
Cats give many signals through body language, tail movement and hissing. Listen to what the cat is saying and act accordingly. Cats don’t bite to be bad. They bite to communicate.