http://www.care2.com/greenliving/does-your-cat-bite-while-being-pet.html
Does Your Cat Bite?
Sometimes cats bite the hand that’s petting them–occasionally hard enough to break the skin. Why do they bite, and can you train them not to?
It is easy to mistake the reason behind the nip, according to Arden Moore, author of The Cat Behavior Answer Book (Storey Publishing, 2007). In the book, she explains that your cat is not delivering a love bite, but rather a clear indication that she has endured enough of human kindness. Her nip translates into “Kindly stop petting me or I will bite harder.”
Some cats bite because as kittens they were permitted to play “hand wrestling” with their owners, who considered it cute antics. They grow up thinking it is okay to bite and swat at hands. But when they do it as adults with big sharp teeth and sharp claws, they aren’t nearly as cute.
Other cats bite because they are scared or do not feel well–but if the biting has been going on her whole life, it sounds like a classic case of petting-induced aggression. While some cats can tolerate being petted, others feel overstimulated by the sensation and automatically react by lashing out. Your cat may be lashing out at you as a last resort after delivering what she believes to be clear pre-strike warnings. These may include tail lashing, ear flicking, dilated pupils, shifting position, tensing muscles, and ceasing to purr. When your cat displays these warning signals, that’s your cue to stop petting. She has communicated with you that she is done with being petted.
Do not be eager to pet your cat for a while. Greet her in a friendly tone, but avoid petting her for a couple of days. This will make her desire your physical attention. When you do pet her, do so for just a few seconds then stop. By being in better tune with her body signals, you can stop before she feels overwhelmed and save your hand from an unwanted bite.
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80 comments
add your comment »Rev Diana: You do not sound like a person who should own an animal to me. You obviously do not understand them. You should be kind to them, and I have a feeling you do not fall into this category. As a person answering to God's calling, you should be kind to animals, as was St. Francis of Assisi (the Patron Saint of Animals). We have our annual Blessing of the Animals at our Church. I have taken dogs and cats I own to those ceremonies. Animals are God's creatures on this earth and they have to be treated with love and kindness and not meanness.
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To "Rev Diane " - Does the "Rev" preceding your name indicate that you are a member of the clergy? Does your faith not teach love and tolerance to all of God's creatures ? Your comments seem neither loving or tolerant ! A biting cat obviously has issues and needs love just as much as , if not more, than non-biting cats. One of my much loved cats bit me during a stressful event and the bite required a trip to the doctor yet I would never had considered the medical expense "not worth it". I am sure you have indeed had "many" cats - for their sakes hopefully you did not have them for long. I feel sorry for any animal that must waste its love on you !
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We raised a kitten from a two week old abandoned baby by bottle feeding him. I read earlier that bottle fed kittens tend to be biters. We have worked with him for years on this. He will be 5 in September. The biting has lessened but not gone away totally. Generally it is when he jumps up in your lap and seems affectionate. You don't have to be petting him, he will just bite as if to say hi. He seems offended when we get upset at him for biting.
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thanksss...
Kabin
Konteyner
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Kathi D., it makes me wonder if your floor squeaks and it annoys her.
Many times when petting we forget how dry the air is and how it makes sparks and stings when we pet our cats. a nip is to tell us to stop.
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I have a Calico that I adopted when she was 5 weeks old, and I've had her for 5 years. For the past couple of years, she has been going after my ankles when I'm barefoot without any provocation. Also, she sometimes, bites if she is being petted without giving any warning signals. I've learned to watch for the tail signals and leave her alone, but I really don't know how to handle the unprovoked attacks. I'd appreciate any advice, because this can't continue, and She also does this with my friends, I'm really frustrated and don't know what to do. Otherwise, she's really a good cat. Help!
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My sister has a beautiful cat that I have known since a kitten. She would wait outside the bathroom for me and flat out attack my legs. She has bitten so deep that it took 3 weeks to heal and 2 days to stop the bleeding. She comes to ME and wants to be petted and in a split second will turn on you. I have had cats, some want to be petted one way or another, have special spots they don't want you to touch, have their own personalities. After 5 years of vicious attacks, even if I don't pet her, I give up. She is a huge long haired calico, beautiful. I know animals but figure she is a split personality with a mean streak. I try to ignore her but she isn't having it.
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Some cats are easily overstimulated and they get so wound up with energy, they have no way to release it except to bite. My friend had a Siamese who was like this, you could see how spooled up his energy would become by the wideness of his eyes. It must have been very frustrating for him! Since we have no easily visible cues (no ears to flatten, tails, or backs to arch), voice cues are what our cats tend to go by. We do not speak cat, cats do not speak human, so sometimes things get lost in translation. Cats also do not meow at other cats - this is something reserved for only us! If you cry out in pain and pull away, then ignore kitty, he will most likely get the hint that he has hurt you. Mine followed me around crying at me, then when I sat down, he licked me apologetically. If you have an obstinate cat, he may take several times to learn, or he may sulk and brood for a day or two.
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Nancy, I'm so glad you kept him, even tho he bites. He still gives love and affection.
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I've had many cats but only one biter-we call him cujo for a reason! He was born in a truck lot to a feral mother, & when mom & siblings were killed my husband brought this little guy home. I hand fed him with a syringe & he was OK for about 5 days. After that he wanted no part of it & started fighting & screeching every time we tried to feed him. He's been a biter ever since. He also is my hubby's baby. For awhile cujo treated me as if I were a non dominant cat instead of a human! I broke him of that notion but he still really only goes to my husband to be petted. He bites everything: people, plastic bags, the other cats, etc. My husband encouraged it by "doing battle" with cujo. They play fight all the time & cujo loves it, but it really did stimulate his urge to bite. I have learned to watch for his signals, & I only pet him when he wants it from me. Not all cats are super affectionate all the time. My other 3 are so that's enough for me.
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