My Cat Bites Me: Why Does She Do It?

Cats are generally adorable and cuddly, but even the most well-behaved cat can bite you from time to time.

What might seem like an attack out of nowhere is really the cat’s natural behaviour trying to show you something—and it’s important to know what that something is so you can effectively manage your relationship with your kitty! This article will help you determine with 7 steps whether your cat bites you because she doesn’t like what you’re doing or if she has a medical condition that causes her to bite.

First step – Identify the type of biting

To stop your cat from biting, you first need to identify why she is doing it. The most common reasons for cat biting include grooming and interactions with other cats and kittens. Other signs of aggression are a good indication that her behaviour may escalate if not treated quickly. Behavioural signs include hissing, spitting, tail-lashing or hair-raising.

Second step – Observe your feline friend

Your cat's biting behaviour may be linked to grooming or interaction. Even adult cats need some grooming—you might notice your feline friend licking herself as a form of maintenance—and even just a gentle rub under her chin can make her feel good. As she starts feeling comfortable with you, your interaction with her may bring out her love for grooming and she will start licking and biting you. This kind of behaviour is completely normal among kittens, and it generally stops when they become adults.

Third step – Learn her triggers

You’ll need to do some detective work to figure out why your cat bites you. Cats can bite for a variety of reasons, including affection, playfulness and fear. Asking yourself a few questions might help identify her motives. Is she normally an affectionate kitty who suddenly turned on you in a fit of biting fury or has she always been wary of your hands but only started biting recently?

Fourth step – Determine if it is safe to intervene

Often times, cats may bite due to overstimulation. Cats don’t like to be grabbed or handled all of a sudden. They’re very independent animals and are used to being able to do things on their own time schedule. When you pick them up, it can startle them and make them feel that they need to defend themselves so that you won’t try again.

Fifth step – Address the underlying cause

The most important thing to do is address why your cat is biting you. Is she in pain, or something else. Since cats are very sensitive creatures, they can feel a little hurt if they do not get their way or if they are frustrated with something. If it’s because of pain, then it is time to see a vet right away.

Sixth step – Make changes at home

To avoid being a target for your cat’s nipping and biting, you should make sure your home is comfortable for her. Have soft surfaces that she can lay on, such as pillows or carpets to play on. Make sure you have enough scratching posts so she has one in each room of your house. These are some of the most important things you can do at home to help your cat feel comfortable and keep her from biting you too often.

Seventh step – Change her behaviour through playtime

Since biting is a way of communicating for some cats, it might help to give her more ways to say I’m here! and Touch me here! If she doesn’t like being petted, try touching her with a feather toy or a scratching post. The goal is to get her to associate all of these things with good feelings instead of you being associated with bad feelings.

Summary

If your cat is biting you, chances are it’s because he or she wants to play. The key is learning how to tell whether your kitty wants to cuddle or has one thing on his mind: a fun game of chase! You can prevent injuries—not to mention bad behaviour—by learning what makes your cat tick and adopting a petting style that works for both of you.

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