My Cat Continually Bites

If your cat continually bites you, know that you are not alone. Bites are one of the primary problems cat owners have with their pets. While it may be fun to roughhouse with your feline, cats will cross the line and draw blood unless you set clear and consistent boundaries. Cats assert dominance physically, so you need to do the same. Do not be cruel, but be firm, and your cat will get the message not to bite in no time.

  1. Preparatory Play

    • In the wild, cats of the same litter play aggressively with one another to prepare for the hunt. They also claw and bite to test limits with their siblings, and to set the pecking order of dominance. Domestic cats do not need to hone their hunting skills unless they are allowed outdoors, but they are still hardwired to prepare themselves for the glorious day of battle. When cats bite humans, they are essentially treating you like one of the family. They just need to know that in the pecking order, you have dominance.

    Overstimulation

    • Humans are big and strong, towering over their pet cats. While your feline may enjoy tussling with your monster hand for a few minutes, it can get over stimulated after a while and feel out of control. Cats bite their owners when this happens, as a way to say, "Stop messing with me now!" They bite to control the situation, and will use force to dictate when play time ends and begins if you allow it.

    Spray Bottle Cure

    • Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it close to you whenever you are playing with your cat. If your cat bites you, simply squirt it with a quick spray from the bottle. The cat will not be harmed, but it will not like the sensation of a face full of water. Respond immediately after the bite, or your cat will not understand which of its actions warranted a negative consequence.

    Planned Ignoring

    • If your cat typically bites you after about one minute of rough play, note that fact. Next time you roughhouse, stop playing at around the 45 second mark. Refuse to keep playing with your cat, even if it seems to want you to continue. This will save your cat from feeling overstimulated, and will save your hand from puncture wounds. You can attempt to lengthen play time after a week or two, to see if your cat's tolerance has increased.