Causes of Cat Bites: Here Is What Can You Do About It

Cats may bite during play, to get attention, or because they feel stressed or threatened. Kittens nibble and paw at things to explore the world. These are all natural behaviors.

Since biting can be painful and cause injury, it’s important to teach our pets not to bite us or other people. Let’s take a look at why cats bite and what we can do about it!

My Cat Is a Biter

It’s crucial to distinguish between the reasons kittens and adult cats bite to prevent problems. Kittens often bite due to teething, curiosity, or playfulness, while adult cats bite for other reasons, including:

1.) Lack of Learning

Cats learn good manners and proper play through interactions with their mother and littermates. However, many kittens are adopted before they fully learn these lessons, so their owners must teach them. Even some adult cats may not realize that their teeth and claws can cause pain.

2.) Play

Cats may nibble and scratch when playing with other cats, and they can transfer this behavior to playing with humans. Some cats get overly excited and don’t realize they are biting too hard. Other times, they may become too stimulated and start defending themselves.

3.) Overstimulation

Some cats enjoy petting up to a certain point, then suddenly bite out of nowhere—or so it seems. This “petting-induced aggression” can be confusing for humans, but it often happens because the cat becomes overstimulated. Cats use subtle body language to signal when they don’t want more petting, but these small cues can be easy to miss, leading to unexpected defensive reactions.

4.) Self-Defense and Fear

Like most animals, cats may bite to protect themselves. Some bite to stop unwanted human or animal actions, especially if they’ve learned in the past that biting is an effective way to end a situation. For example, if your cat bit you during a nail trim and you stopped trimming, they may see biting as a useful tool.

5.) Redirected Aggression

When cats show aggression toward humans, it can sometimes be due to frustration from another source. Cats are territorial animals, so the presence of another animal or person in their home may upset them. If you happen to be the closest person at that moment, they may bite you instead. Similarly, a cat may become frustrated if they can’t reach a bird or insect outside, redirecting that frustration toward you.

6.) Attention-Seeking

For some cats, biting is a form of communication to get attention—they may bite instead of meowing. If your cat nibbles on you and then tries to lead you to an activity, such as their food bowl or a toy, they are likely trying to signal something to you.

7.) Affection

Believe it or not, some cats give “love bites” to their owners. When cats bite affectionately, they often follow it up with licking—similar to little kitty kisses. These bites are usually gentle and do not cause pain.

8.) Pain or Illness

Any illness that causes pain or discomfort can make a cat more likely to bite if touched in a sensitive area. Before assuming your cat has a behavioral issue, consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health problems.

What to Do About Play Biting?

• The best response is to stop what you’re doing immediately.
• Observe your cat’s body language to understand why the bite happened.
• Help your cat calm down.
• Make a sound and pull your hand away, just like another cat would.
• Use distractions, but never punish your cat!
• If the biting continues, consult a vet to check for any medical issues that might explain the behavior.

How to Teach Your Cat Not to Bite

While you may not be able to completely prevent biting, you can reduce the likelihood of it happening through training techniques.

• Use Positive Reinforcement: Start training your cat as soon as they come into your home. Teach them alternative behaviors—if your cat gets overly excited and attacks your feet when you enter a room, train them to sit instead and reward them for it. Over time, they will sit when you enter, expecting a reward. Clicker training can also be useful.

• Avoid Physical Punishment: This will only make your cat defensive, encourage rough play, or make them fearful of you.
• Be Consistent: Always respond the same way to biting and ensure family members and visitors follow the same rules.
• Offer Alternatives: When your cat tries to bite, redirect them to a suitable interactive toy instead. Reward them for playing with the correct objects.

If biting persists despite these efforts, consider consulting a feline behavior specialist for further guidance.

What to Do If You Get a Bite?

Cat bites can be dangerous and may cause serious infections. A significant portion of bites (75% of injuries) introduce harmful bacteria into the body, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pasteurella. Cat scratch fever, caused by the Bartonella henselae bacterium, can also spread through a cat bite. Signs of infection can appear within hours and pose a particular risk to the hands, joints, and tendons.

Steps to Take If a Cat Bites You:

• Flush out bacteria from the wound by pressing on it. This may cause additional bleeding, but it helps to expel bacteria from the body.
• Thoroughly wash the wound with soap and water, then dry it with a clean cloth.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. A doctor will likely clean the wound again, prescribe antibiotics, stitch the injury if necessary, and administer a tetanus shot.
• Follow the care plan provided by the doctor and keep the wound area clean.
• Monitor for signs of infection, including redness, discharge, swelling, pain, or fever. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.