Why Do Cats Bite Playfully

You can discourage the behaviour by praising them for gentle play during bonding sessions.

Why do cats bite playfully. Cat love bites can occur when your kitten is playing aggressively with you especially if your kitten doesn t have another feline playmate. For example if they previously bit while having their nails trimmed and then the nail trimming stopped they may have learned that is an effective tool. Some cats are also more physically sensitive than others becoming agitated from too much petting. If the petting continues despite the cat s efforts to signal that he or she is done with being petted the cat may escalate to a bite says dr.

Remember don t shout at your cat or clap directly in your cat s face. Cats bite their owners to demonstrate affection colloquially known as a love bite but also to warn that they are becoming over stimulated and want to be left alone. Cat bites can be dangerous if not taken care of properly. Repeat this whenever biting or scratching occurs.

It may be a manifestation of so called status induced aggression in which cats seek to control a situation. The term love bite is somewhat of a misnomer. This method works with a dominant aggressive or cheeky cat. Cats have sharp teeth that are able to make deep punctures and cats mouths harbor a lot of bacteria that can potentially cause infection.

A cat who bites without giving so much as a grunt or tail flick to indicate he was playing angry or afraid may be ill. It s not recommended for use with a timid or nervous cat since it can. Cats with arthritis dental disease hyperthyroidism and a variety of central nervous system conditions often bite because they re in pain or confused. Your cat should learn to stop.

Furthermore while a love bite may seem playful a real bite has a more violent undertone and may occur quite suddenly. If your cat does end up biting you too hard or in an aggressive way you should stop engaging in any behavior that might be upsetting her. Whenever your cat engages in play that uses their paws but not their claws or teeth reward them with plenty of affection and a reward or treat. When your cat bites or scratches clap your hands and say no firmly.

Some cats bite as a form of communication or a demand for attention. Again you can tell the difference between aggressive. Unlike aggressive bites cat love bites typically do not break the skin. Cats often bite during play because they are expressing their natural hunting instinct.

When cats bite in this context it s not a sign of affection but rather a signal that the cat is done with the interaction. If left untreated or not given proper first aid care cat bites can lead to infection cat scratch fever or in rare cases rabies.