Does Your Cat Bite While Being Pet?

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.

Read more: Behavior & Communication, Cats, Pets, affection, bite, cat

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Angel C.

8:42AM PST on Feb 27, 2012

Thanks.

send a green star

KS G.

12:15AM PST on Feb 25, 2012

Thanks for the article.

Mary Beth M.

9:09AM PST on Feb 24, 2012

One of our cats will grab my hair & pull it! Funny, altho not really the same thing...

Melinda offline K.

6:38PM PST on Feb 23, 2012

cats are just really sensitive and too much petting for some just feels terrible, others cant get enough.

Donna F.

5:07AM PST on Feb 23, 2012

My girl bites, but not hard, when I pet her. I believe, as the article indicates, that she becomes overstimulated. Sometimes, she licks my hand, then bites as if she's trying to comb out my skin. She's a sweetie pie, though. I would add that we should NEVER pop 'em on the snout. As the article tells us, we should just withdraw our attentions or redirect their behavior. Our kitties are far too fragile to hit.
Love

New G.

2:26AM PST on Feb 23, 2012

Thank you.

Past Member .

4:34PM PST on Feb 22, 2012

I had a cat that did not bite for this reason. Mine would do it out of the blue when she was not on my lap and I was not touching her. I didn't know if it was because I wasn't paying attention and she wanted attention or to play or what the reason was but I still have scars from the times she not only bit but grabbed my arm or leg whichever she was nearest to with her claws. I would scold her and she would sulk for a while and then come over and rub against me and jump in my lap. The Vet thought that she was playing and the fact that she was a rescued cat that she was still playing by the cat colony rules. My husband and I adopted her from a neighbor whe was moving and could not take her with them. Most of the time she was a loving cat but once in a while it was like the devil got in her : ) Unfortunately she passed away 2 years ago but she did have a long life. Not sure of age the vet guessed that she was about 10 when we got her and we had her for about 8 years so that was pretty good and I still miss her, bites and all.

Tessa N.

1:00PM PST on Feb 22, 2012

My cat Theo bites too. Ever since I got him from 3 months old. Didn't really know why at first, but he clearly only wants to be petted at his convenience and not at mine. But it's really hard sometimes, when he's laying next to me on the couch or sits on my lap and I am not allowed to touch him. He just wants to be there and I have to respect that. Although sometimes I do just grab him and pet him anyway. Because sometimes I just need to. And then I ask him forgiveness for my weakness. And he always does. :)

Jae E.

1:30PM PST on Feb 21, 2012

One of my cats, that passed away about 2 years ago, was a biter. When he was annoyed with whomever, he'd bite, tho rarely broke the skin if all you were doing was petting him. However, he often bit people at the vet's office. I recommended they muzzle him before doing any procedures, or let me (or one of my kids) hold him, if possible.

Nimue P.

11:38PM PST on Feb 6, 2012

My cat and I were sitting on the floor in front of the tv (when I was a kid) when suddenly he bit my knee (I was sitting cross-legged and that knee was close to him) He'd never bitten anyone before. I leaned down and bit him gently on the ear, I didn't hurt him. That was one surprised puddy tat! I guess maybe he didn't like the program we were watching.