Why does my cat bite me? 8 reasons for cat attacks

Updated 17/12/24

Why does my cat bite me? Sometimes a nip of their sharp teeth can be a sign of affection, while other times it’s playful or your cat’s way of seeking attention.

To find why your cat is biting you, stick with us as we explore all the reasons cats bite, what you can do to avoid it, and how to train your cat to stop biting.

Why does my cat bite me?

There are multiple reasons why your cat might bite you, and each can result in a different type of biting. Take a look below to get your answers.

• Playfulness. Cats bite playfully from kittenhood to adulthood, so your cat might gently bite you during playtime.
• Love bites. Your cat may bite you to show affection and spread their scent onto you.
• Attention seeking. Cats can bite their owners when they’re bored, want attention or feel like playing.
• Pain and illness. If your cat unexpectedly bites you when you go to pet them, they may be sick - see your vet if the behavior continues.
• Fear and aggression. If a cat feels threatened, they may bite out of fear and to protect themselves.
• Petting. Cats can become overwhelmed and lash out to protect themselves, even when they’ve been enjoying their petting sessions.
• Conditioning. Cats can sometimes bite your hands and feet if they’ve been allowed to as kittens.
• Redirected aggression. If something else - like the addition of a new cat or dog - is bothering your cat, they may bite you as a result.

Why do cats bite you?

We love our cats, they’re amazing companions and they will never stop being one of the world’s most popular pets. But when your favorite feline suddenly brings out the bite and scratch manoeuver you know there must be a reason as to why cats bite. And there is! Or rather, there are at least five explanations…

Playful biting

If you’ve ever watched two kittens playing together, you’ll know that play biting is a real thing. Cats use play as a form of practice for various life skills, including hunting tactics such as biting and pouncing. Play remains important to cats well into adulthood, so it’s important to set good ground rules early on. Try to set aside regular time to play with your cat, but always avoid using your hands and toes, as using them will encourage a cat to see them as toys. Similarly, if you notice your cat becoming overstimulated whilst you’re stroking them (raised fur, airplane ears, dilated pupils) it’s best to stop petting them.

Love bites

This is one of the finest, but most painful cat compliments. Cat love bites are a display of love and affection towards their humans, as well as to other cats. They see you as an equal: You are another cat to them, the most superior of all living creatures. A gentle nip on the hand during snuggle time is actually another way cats spread their scent. By offering you this special gift, they are saying they see you as one of them, but you also belong to them now. So, next time your cat bites you, look out for their body language to determine whether it's a love bite.

Attention seeking

Why does my cat keep biting me? Well, maybe they're looking for some extra attention! Of course, this isn't always ideal (especially if you need to work from home or you’re trying to sleep). Luckily, this can be trained out of them. Yes, you can train cats! Give them a treat when they’re being quiet and not pestering you during times of the day they usually scramble for attention. Always reward good behavior, be sure they have plenty of mental and physical stimulation such as toys, scratching posts, and puzzle feeders to occupy them, and don’t forget to make time in the day to play with your cat.

Pain & illness

Although it may seem obvious upon reading this, cats are very good at hiding pain. A sick or injured cat may not display any obvious physical changes, but when you pet them they bite and scratch or hiss and swipe at you. If you notice any sudden change in behaviors like this or signs of aggressive biting contact your vet immediately for a check-up.

Fear and aggressive biting

Another form of aggressive biting comes from a place of fear. If a cat feels threatened by a human - maybe they’ve never met them before, or they can smell the scent of another animal - or their territory is under threat, their natural instincts are to bring out the teeth and claws. Even some humans do the same!

Petting

If you’re wondering - why does my cat bite me when I pet her - well it could be due to her strong survival instinct, or because she’s feeling overstimulated. This can result in petting aggression.

Cats are sometimes fighting the conflict between their natural instinct to protect themselves, and to enjoy the petting session.

Petting aggression is often seen as ‘out of the blue’, but paying careful attention to your cat’s body language can help you spot signs that they are becoming uncomfortable. Warning signs your cat is about to bite and feeling overwhelmed include stiffening up, hissing, swishing their tail aggressively and stopping purring. Signs of feline aggression according to Cornell Feline Health Center include flattened ears positioned backwards, dilated pupils, tail held erect with hairs raised, and an arched back. If your cat displays any of these behaviors, stop petting immediately.

Rancho Village Veterinary Hospital agree that a cat bite during a petting session is simply your cat's way of letting you know they're done with petting. Cats can't communicate with words, afterall.

Redirected aggression

You might be thinking to yourself - why does my cat bite me - if you don’t consider your feline overstimulated or overly stressed. Well your cat might be lashing out at you because they’re frustrated or overwhelmed by something else, such as the addition of a new pet to your household or a conflict for key resources such as food or litter tray access. Aggression in your cat that shows frustration can look like a bite or scratch.

So, when you’re pondering - why does my cat keep biting me - consider whether there might be anything else bothering your cat, like a house move or new pet.

How to stop my cat from biting

Hopefully, you now have an understanding of why the next time you ask: why is my cat biting? Now, let’s find out how to stop the nips and keep the love.

How to stop your cat biting you

• Avoid negative reinforcement
• Use cat toys to play with your cat
• Use positive reinforcement
• Distract your cat

Avoid negative reinforcement

Firstly, as pet parents, you know this doesn’t work with cats. You say no, they see it as a challenge.

Never use negative reinforcement or punishment to teach your cat not to bite - it will only make them associate you with negative feelings. Shouting and physical punishment will make your cat fearful, which will only lead to distress and more problematic behaviors.

An article by vet Elizabeth Racine, DVM in 2019 states explains how badly it can affect cats:

“Learned helplessness is a state in which the animal essentially “shuts down” due to fear and feeling powerless to control their environment. While this may result in better behavior, an animal that feels helpless is not happy, does not have a good quality of life, and certainly does not have a good bond with its owner.”

Use cat toys to play with your cat

As we mentioned before, cat toys are for cats, your fingers and toes are not. We all have done it, and some of us still do, wiggle our digits because it’s cute to watch them. However, if you’re done with being punctured by their sharp teeth daily, we would recommend stopping. Instead, use cat toys to encourage your cat to play nicely. Setting aside some time to play actively with your cat can help reduce boredom and attention-seeking behaviors at other times.

Paw-positive reinforcement

This is the opposite of our first point about negative reinforcement. Cats love praise and they love food. If you provide one or both when they engage in soft play, or refrain from biting you, you’ll soon find their aggressive behaviors and bite behavior will reduce. 

Distract your cat

Toys are not only a great way to teach your cat how to play nicely, they can also be a great distraction technique, should your cat nip you during play time. If you experience yet another kitty bite, redirect your cat to their toy to remind them how to play positively.

Keep you, your cat and your sitters safe

If you’re already one of our wonderful TrustedHousesitters members, you can always contact our 24/7 Vet Advice line if you’re ever worried about a change in your cat’s behavior.

And if your cat has been lashing out, it’s vital that you take action before the same happens to those caring for your cat while you’re on vacation. 

While vets agree pets are happier at home, it’s important to be honest with your cat sitter about your cat’s tendencies, temperament and triggers. 

And if you haven’t yet planned what you’ll do for cat care during your next vacation, click below to find out how to connect with verified cat sitters who have experience with a range of feline behaviors.

Cats are smart creatures, it’s just their fluffy brains are wired a bit differently to other animals. A clear understanding and appreciation for cat behaviors and cat-titudes means you and your kitty can continue to enjoy each other's company consistently.

Considerations for pet sitters: Thoughts and tips from cat owners and sitters

If you’re a cat sitter yourself, you’ll have encountered felines of all personality types with a range of behaviors. If you’d (sensibly) like to avoid cat bites, take a look below at what other cat owners and sitters have to say about cat bites, based on their first-hand experience with felines. 

For more first-hand advice from real cat owners and sitters, head to our community forum to join the discussion.

• “I always ask the hosts if there are ways the pet doesn’t like to be held/touched.” - @CreatureCuddler
• “If you decide to stay, you need to protect yourself from further bites and this means being aware of the cat’s body language at all times.” - @Happypets
• “Be aware that cats can move very quickly, so be prepared to move your hand away swiftly.” - @Happypets
• “Simply pop a cushion on your lap so she can sit on you if she wants, without your hands needing to go anywhere near her for a while.” - @HappyDeb
• “A bent finger is also good as a reach out to the cat as it’s non threatening and allows the cat to rub your finger on it’s favourite side of the face.” - @richten1

And if the idea of traveling to new destinations, taking care of felines and getting a place to stay in return (minus any cat bites!) sounds up your street, click below to find out how becoming a cat sitter works.

Meet our veterinary expert, Lizzie

This article has been checked by veterinarian Lizzie Youens BSc(Hons) BVSc MRes MRCVS. Lizzie graduated from the University of Bristol in 2011, and has been working in first opinion companion animal practice. She has worked in a variety of clinics across the UK, from large hospitals to small branch practices. She enjoys doing a mixture of medicine, surgery and emergency work. Lizzie currently works in a small rural practice where she enjoys working in a close-knit community. 

Useful resources

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• Signs your cat has imprinted on you