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You are sitting on the sofa with your cat snuggled up in your lap. You are stroking your kitty’s fur and thinking this is one of those perfect moments having a pet is all about. Then your cat whips around and clamps their teeth down on your hand. For many people, this is one of the most baffling things their cat does. It may seem sudden, unprovoked, or even just mean, but cats don’t do anything without cause. In fact, there are a few reasons why cats bite when we pet them.
Biting during petting is called petting-induced aggression or “love bites” [3, 6, 7]. While it may be cute to call them love bites, they are not a sign of affection. Cats usually bite when pet to tell the person touching them that they’ve had enough [1-4, 6, 7]. Most cats will give non-aggressive warnings first, but if those go unnoticed or ignored, a cat only has so many ways to say “Hey, stop that!”
Why would they want you to stop showering them in love and attention? Cats are extremely sensitive to touch, and too much petting causes them to become overstimulated [1, 4, 6, 7]. When a cat is overstimulated, their senses are overloaded, and they just can’t stand any more.
Cats may also bite when pet if they are in pain. Conditions such as arthritis, injuries, toothaches, and ear infections can cause cats to bite or scratch if you pet them on or near the sore spot [5-7]. My childhood cat, Milo, was a 24/7 love bug until he got arthritis in his old age. Then petting his lower back earned you a swipe. If your cat suddenly exhibits petting-induced aggression for the first time or in a new way, have the veterinarian check for a medical reason.
If your cat licks you before biting, they may be “grooming” you and getting carried away [3]. And some cats just think it’s playtime. Young cats and kittens are especially likely to mistake petting hands for toys [2, 5].
How to Tell If Your Cat is About to Bite
If you’re observant, you should be able to spot the signs that your cat is no longer loving your attention. You have to learn how your own cat communicates, but here are some things to look out for [2, 4-7].
- Dilated pupils
- Fur standing on end
- Ears flattening or turning sideways or backward
- Low growling or other vocalization
- Quick head turns
- Licking, rubbing, or other affection that gets too enthusiastic
- Tail twitches
- Skin rippling along the back
- Claws unsheathing
- Stiffening muscles
- Whiskers tilting forward
- Looking pointedly at your hand
Some cats provide more warnings than others [1]. As soon as you notice any sign of irritation, stop touching your cat [1-4, 6]. If your cat wants to leave, let them, but don’t try to pick them up and move them, as that is just more contact they don’t want [6]. If you listen when your cat first tells you to stop, they won’t need to escalate to biting or scratching. Remember, we can’t expect cats to respect our boundaries if we don’t respect theirs.
NEVER punish your cat for petting-induced aggression [1, 3-6]. They are trying to communicate, and you will damage their trust by punishing them for it [1, 4].
More Ways to Prevent Petting-Induced Aggression
If your cat is very easily overstimulated, take the time to figure out where their sensitivity threshold is [1, 2, 4, 6, 7]. Settle down to pet your cat without any distractions, and see how many strokes they tolerate before the first signs of discomfort [1, 4, 7]. You can also try changing the way you pet your cat. Short scratches or strokes to the head, cheeks, and chin are usually easier for reactive cats to handle [1-3, 6].
If you think your playful cat or kitten may be using your fingers as toys, start by making sure you are providing plenty of interactive playtime to get out that energy [1, 6]. Never play rough with your cat or kitten, as they will instinctively fight back [4, 5]. Finally, always use nice, long toys like wands when playing with your cat so they don’t learn that your hand is the toy [4, 5].
Works Cited
- Becker, M. & Spadafori, G. (2006). Do cats always land on their feet? 101 of the most perplexing questions answered about feline unfathomables, medical mysteries, & befuddling behaviors. Health Communications, Inc.: Deerfield Beach, FL.
- Comstock, J. (2021, July 9). Ouch! Why does my cat suddenly bite me? DailyPaws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/behavior/common-cat-behaviors/why-does-my-cat-bite-me
- Fitzsimmons, P. (2018, May 1). Cat love bites: What do they mean? PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/cat-love-bites-what-do-they-mean
- Galaxy, J. & Delgado, M. (2017). Total cat mojo: The ultimate guide to life with your cat. Tarcher Perigee: New York.
- Moore, A. (2001). The kitten owner’s manual: Solutions to all your kitten quandaries in an easy-to-follow question & answer format. Storey Publishing: North Adams, MA.
- Petting-induced or overstimulation aggression in cats. (n.d.). Humane Society of Huron Valley. https://www.hshv.org/petting-induced-or-overstimulation-aggression-in-cats/
- Shojai, A. (2022, March 8). How to stop petting aggression in cats. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/why-does-my-cat-bite-when-i-pet-her-553854
Published August 14, 2022
