Why Does My Cat Bite Me When I Pet Her
We all know that cats are mysterious creatures. They keep their feelings close to the vest, and they’re not always super forthcoming about what’s on their mind. But as any cat owner knows, there are times when we can sense something is bothering our feline friends—and even more often than not it has to do with us! One of the most common reasons for a cat biting when being petted is because she just wants something else to happen or wants attention in another way (i.e., playtime).
Cats bite for a dozen different reasons…and some of them are pretty silly.
It’s usually pretty obvious when your cat bites you, but sometimes it can be hard to figure out why. Is your pet simply being a little mischievous? Or is she trying to get something from you that she needs?
It depends. Cats bite for a dozen different reasons—and some of them are pretty silly. A cat might bite because she’s hungry and wants food, or because she thinks you’re holding her too tight and needs to be set free. Some cats will bite because they’re stressed out by the presence of other pets or people in their household, while others might just love playing with stringy things like shoelaces or wires on the floor (this is especially true if they have sharp teeth).
But biting can also be serious business—if your cat bites hard enough, he could break skin and infect it with his own bacteria (which is actually one of the most common causes of infection in humans). And even though most cats grow up around humans so we can learn how their language works, there are still times when we need help figuring them out!
Let’s take a look at some of the most likely ones, and what you can do about it.
Let’s take a look at some of the most likely ones, and what you can do about it.
The first thing to consider is that not all biting is bad. When cats play together, they often bite each other gently on the neck or back. This doesn’t hurt them; rather, it’s a way for them to release tension and express affection for each other. If your cat bites you in this way, there’s no need to worry—it’s normal behavior! But if you’re getting bitten in places that are sore or causing pain (like your hand), then it may be time for some training techniques so that she learns what constitutes acceptable biting versus unacceptable biting.
But First Things First…
Cats are not like people, dogs or children. They do what they want when they want to do it, and they don’t care if you have an opinion on it. If you try to tell your cat what to do, she will ignore you and go right on doing her own thing.
If your cat bites you during petting time or any other time, that’s just part of being a cat owner. You have to remember that cats are very independent animals who live in the moment without worrying about tomorrow or yesterday…or even today for that matter!
Cats Biting When Being Petted Can Signal Trouble
- Cats who bite when they’re being petted may have an illness or be in pain.
- A cat who is in heat or has just been spayed may bite because she’s overstimulated by the increased blood flow to her nether regions.
- A cat may bite if he’s feeling threatened by your touch, especially if you’ve previously hurt him or if you’ve recently changed his environment (such as moving furniture). This is known as “fear aggression.”
- Some cats simply don’t like being touched by people other than their owners, so a quick scratch behind the ears can lead to painful consequences for your hand! If this sounds like your cat and you want to change things up a bit, try taking him outdoors more often—he might enjoy that instead of getting stressed indoors all day long!
Why Does My Cat Bite Me When I Touch Her?
Cats are generally not aggressive animals. They bite as a way to communicate their emotions, whether they’re happy or scared.
Cat bites can be painful and dangerous—especially if the cat has sharp teeth or is aggressive by nature. Knowing how your cat behaves will help you understand why she bites, and what you can do about it if necessary.
If your cat is biting out of fear or aggression, try to identify what’s causing this behavior so that you can address it effectively. You might also want to ask yourself whether there are any medical issues that are contributing to her aggression; if so, it’s important that you get her checked out right away by a veterinarian who knows how to treat cats in distress (and who may recommend medication).
1. She’s bored!
The first reason that your cat might bite you is boredom. Cats are very smart animals, and they need mental stimulation in order to stay happy. If your cat becomes bored, it can lead to stress and anxiety. When cats are stressed out or anxious, they may bite their owners because it helps them cope with the negative feelings that come along with being bored or anxious.
To help prevent this behavior from happening, give your cat plenty of toys and playtime every day! You should also make sure you spend time playing with your kitty so she knows how much fun it can be to interact with people rather than just biting them all the time (which isn’t really all that fun).
2. She’s overstimulated.
If your cat is biting you, it’s likely because she’s overstimulated. Cats are very sensitive to touch, and when they’re in a high-energy state (like playing or being petted), they can become overstimulated. When this happens, their natural reaction is to bite.
The best way to prevent your cat from biting you is to stop petting her as soon as she starts with the biting behavior. If you continue petting her while she’s trying to tell you that she wants out of the situation, then she’ll keep up her aggressive behavior until she gets what she wants: space away from you!
Instead, if your cat begins nipping at your hand when it reaches toward her belly or backside during playtime—or if those little teeth come down on the top of your hand when it strokes her chin—stop immediately and give her some space by backing up or placing another object between yourself and Fido so that he doesn’t feel attacked by his beloved human friend (or vice versa).
3. She’s tired…or even napping!
You may have heard that cats need a lot of sleep, and that is true. In fact, they are the only mammals which do not have to be awake to breathe. This means that they conserve energy by sleeping most of the day away.
But why? Cats have a lower metabolic rate than other mammals and therefore don’t get as much energy from their food as dogs or people do. In order for them to keep up with their activities and maintain their health, they need more rest than other animals do.
4. She just wants to play!
Your cat is a predator by nature. This means that she is built to hunt, catch, and kill prey animals like mice and birds. The instinct to hunt is strong in cats, so it’s natural for her to want to play with you in this way. If your cat bites when petted, then chances are good that she simply wants you to stop petting her so she can play!
Because cats are social animals and they enjoy being around people as well as other cats, they will often try out their natural predatory instincts on us humans who live with them. This can include biting or scratching us—and this behavior is not just an annoyance; it’s also done out of affection!
When your cat bites or scratches at your hand while trying to get your attention during playtime (which may seem like an attack), there are several possibilities:
5. She wants something else to happen!
- She wants something else to happen!
If your cat bites you while you’re petting her, she might be biting because she’s bored, overstimulated or tired. If you think this is the case, try giving your cat some space for a few minutes and then return to petting her. If she bites again, this could be a sign that she’s not feeling well or that something is wrong with your relationship with each other. Cats can also become bored when they’re left alone for long periods of time every day (and/or if their owners work full-time). This type of boredom may cause some cats to act out by biting in order to get attention from their owners!
There are also certain personality traits found in many cats who like biting: Dominant personalities will often bite as part of playfighting; so if this sounds like your cat’s behavior pattern then just keep an eye on them while they’re playing together so nothing gets out of hand!
6. She’s a very dominant personality!
If your cat is aggressive and bites you, it’s likely because she is a dominant personality. Dominant cats are more likely to bite, and if your cat does bite you, it’s because she thinks that she can get away with it. While some people think of dominance as a negative trait in animals, there are actually many benefits to having a bratty pet! The most important thing for pet owners is knowing how to handle their feline friend when they’re being unruly—and biting could be an indication that your kitty needs some training classes at the local shelter or dog park.
Don’t be afraid to ask your vet or a competent cat behaviorist if you’re unsure of your cat’s behavior; they can help you understand what your cat is trying to tell you, and in some cases, even stop the behavior from happening in the first place!
If you have any concerns about your cat’s behavior, don’t be afraid to ask your vet or a competent cat behaviorist if you’re unsure of your cat’s behavior; they can help you understand what your cat is trying to tell you, and in some cases, even stop the behavior from happening in the first place!
Cats are amazing creatures. They’re complex, they’re funny, they’re loving…and sometimes they bite us. If you feel like your cat is biting you more than usual (or if you’ve never experienced this before) talk to your vet or a behaviorist about what may be causing it!
