What Do I Do If My Cat Won't Stop Biting Me?

Cats bite as a way to communicate with their owners. A cat may bite for a variety of reasons. In some cases, biting is a way of expressing fear, or sickness. Your cat may bite you if your petting is uncomfortable, or if it does not want attention. Understanding the reasons behind your cat's aggressive behavior will help you to stop it.

  1. Petting-Induced Aggression

    • While cats enjoy being cuddled and petted, they only want to engage in this behavior for a certain amount of time. Cats let their owners know when they want to end a petting session through a number of warning signs, which may include twitching tails, ear movement or growling. However, many humans do not notice these signals when petting their cat. When these signs are ignored, the cat will resort to biting to end the petting. To avoid petting-induced aggression, pay attention to the methods your cat uses to communicate with you, and listen to them. Respect your cat's wishes, and end the cuddle session as soon as your cat lets you know it is ready to move on to another activity.

    Playtime Biting

    • Help your cat find alternatives to biting through play. Cats who have pent-up energy may take that energy out on their human companions through biting and other aggressive behaviors. Use fishing pole type toys and other items that your cat can bite and chew instead of your hands, or encourage your cat to chase a laser point or flashlight beam. If you are going to be away for a long time, leave out soft toys filled with catnip for your cat to play with. End your play sessions with a small treat to reward your cat for good, non-biting behavior.

    Bite Reactions

    • When your cat bites you, avoid pulling away, as this challenges your cat, and may lead to even harder bites. Instead, gently push your hand towards your cat. In addition, find ways to distract your cat from biting. One method is to yell or make a loud noise; this will confuse your cat and give you time to give your cat a toy to bite in exchange for your fingers.

    Avoid Physical Punishment

    • Though cat bites are painful and may prompt you to consider physical punishment, it is usually best to think again. Cats will not understand why you are striking them, with the result that the biting behaviors will likely continue, and possibly worsen. Over time, a cat who is physically punished will fear its owner. It is better to find ways to replace negative behaviors with positive ones.