Your Cat Bites You When You Pet It: Why?

If your pet bites you, does it just want to play or is it really attacking you? Sometimes a full-blown aggression can be hidden behind a playful bite. This commonly happens when kittens are separated from their siblings too early, since it is by being with them that they learn to play without getting hurt. Another cause could be the fact that it is often the owner who feeds the aggressive behavior of the animal, for this reason you must always be delicate when playing with cats.
In this article we will answer the question: why does your cat bite you when you pet him?

Why is your cat biting you?

Regardless of your cat’s age, it is very important to know that a cat is not necessarily an aggressive animal, nor does it have to bite or hurt. Aggressive behavior should be avoided: if your cat starts biting you while playing, you must try to change this behavior. Do not scold him, since doing so could have the opposite effect, which is to reinforce his unpleasant conduct instead of avoiding it.

Try using a stick or a rope to get the cat to unleash its aggression without hurting you. Never yell at your cat because otherwise he may start to get scared every time you raise your voice; remember that he is not biting you because he is bad, but only because he does not know what else to do: from his point of view any other form of communication has not been successful and he has no choice but to make himself understood in this way, that is biting.

Instead of challenging him, try to consolidate an acceptable, delicate form of play. Give him some succulent delicacy as a reward. Avoid hand and foot persecution games, or your cat throwing himself at you, as this will only make the problem worse. And always remember to bring your hand to his nose before stroking it, so that the cat can recognize your scent. This is a fundamental rule especially with those animals with which you are not very familiar.

There are other reasons why cats may bite: Sometimes the cat simply decides that for that particular day it has already played enough. Often children also react this way. The same happens when you start petting a cat that doesn’t really feel like attention.

When it comes to cuddling him, caresses that are too strong or too fast  in the wrong places can cause the cat to bite or scratch you, for this reason you must always move delicately.

There is always the possibility that your cat has a health problem and that this is so annoying that it generates this type of aggression. Therefore it is always advisable to seek the advice of a veterinarian, to understand if this behavior is due to a physical cause.

How can you improve your cat’s behavior?

Interpreting your cat’s mood is not so simple: it may be that he approaches you with the intention of playing while you think he wants to cuddle: this is where the misunderstanding and, consequently, the aggression arise. To avoid this kind of qui pro quo, the best thing to do is learn to understand your cat’s body language. There are several signs that can help you avoid getting bitten.

Some body language signs that your cat is reaching the tolerance limit include the following: new posture, when he growls, when his ears are pressed against his head adopting an “aerodynamic” position and, finally, when his pupils dilate.

To make your cat feel comfortable while petting him, it is best to pay attention to his tolerance threshold so that you can predict an attack. Have you ever wondered which part of the body your cat likes to be stroked? Most felines like to be scratched behind their heads or necks. But don’t overdo it: remember that certain areas can cause excessive stimulation. Once you get to that point, you will see that your cat will make you understand that he no longer wants cuddles: do not forget that cats are very independent animals.

On the other hand, keep in mind that aggressive behavior can be changed but to do so you need a lot of patience, even more so if we are talking about cats. Therefore reinforce non-aggressive games and try to interpret your cat’s body signals in order to avoid bites and scratches.