Why does my cat bite me unprovoked?

It’s not rare to hear a cat owner complaining that playtime has taken a rough turn of events when interacting with their beloved kitty. Simple touching can spur a sudden bite or wrestle without warning. Rest assured, many cat owners have encountered this behavior before and it’s best to understand and deal with this issue as early as possible.

CAT BITES AND HUMANS

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Your cat is a bundle of cuteness, approachable and sweet. Yet at without any notice, they may slam and bite you without mercy. It’s a little confusing and many people are left puzzled as to why this happens.

Here are four main reasons why cats bite people:

(1). A way to express love

Just as cats groom themselves and each other, some cats like to express companionship through biting. It may seem like a sweet gesture, but such behavior needs to be addressed.

(2). Proof of existence

Cats are felines and remnants their inherited genes are manifested through daily behavior. Biting owners could be an act of trying to assert proof of their status in the household.

(3). Expression of negative emotions

An unhappy cat may be trying to tell you that they either don’t like being touched or they are tired of playing for now. Attempting to play with a cat when it shows signs of displeasure will only annoy it, resulting in a reactionary chomp.

(4). Attitude and spoiling

Owners that have shown excessive appeasement to cat behavior may come experience an attitude that causes the cat to act in unacceptable ways. Training and using suitable methods to express reprimand is required.

SOLVING CAT BITING ISSUES

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While reasons for biting in a cat are not of malice, an owner should correct cat biting in the household as it can lead to unwanted situations in the future. Risking injury to both yourself and a cat is to be avoided at all costs, prevention is the best course of action in this case.

SOLUTIONS AND COUNTERMEASURES:

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Avoid using hands to get in the way of a cat. If they see your hand as a purposefully place obstacle, they may view this as provocation. It’s essential to not use hand or fingers to play with a cat. If a cat recognizes hands or feet as toys, they will gnaw and pounce without regard, sometimes without restraint. If you are dealing with a cat that is nipping at you at every opportunity, it’s best to keep a few toys on hand. When they are ready to pounce, throw a toy to divert their attention and energy.

While showing as much love and affection to your cat is needed, it’s important to reprimand and be clear about what is not acceptable. When a cat oversteps the set boundaries through aggression, playing should stop and clear conveyance of dissatisfaction should be shown. Biting and wrestling should be answered with a firm approach. Using words in an audible and stern tone and turning your back for a while will eventually get the message across. Refrain from cuddling or appeasing your cat during these situations as it will send mixed signals, confusing them.

PLAYTIME AND BODY LANGUAGE

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You should spend at least 20 minutes a day playing with your cat. They are full of energy and it’s best to channel this into fun activities and forms of interactive play.

To assist with biting prevention, you should have variety of cat toys on hand. Cats are social with a desire to play and have an abundance of time in the house. It’s important as an owner to look after your cat’s mental health, reducing any forms of anxiety.

Respect a cat's opinion. If it doesn't like you touching its tail, refrain from doing so. Not all cats are the same and spending time to discover safe and effective play habits will create a happy environment in the household.

If a cat shows signs of fatigue, let it rest for a while in a quiet space. Careful observation of body language and response is a key component to understanding your cat.

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