Are you confused when your cat is snuggling on your lap, purring, seemingly content, you are gently stroking them and all is harmonious… then they turn around and bite you? Rest assured, this is not unusual! Some kitty lovers call this a 'love bite', others call it petting aggression.
Sometimes cats bite while purring to get some love, bonding and playtime. When the bites become a little more aggressive, they're trying to communicate that you're not giving them enough playtime. Therefore, setting time aside to play with them might help.
When cats display aggression when touched or petted, it can stem from many different motivations. The most common include: Fear/defense: A fearful cat may exhibit dilated pupils, ears turning back, or a twitching tail. In this situation, your cat may growl, hiss or swat at the person reaching, touching or petting.
This is called petting induced or overstimulation aggression. It's a common behavior in many cats, and is something that can be both frustrating and frightening until you learn how to manage this behavior with your cat.
So they want to mark you again with their scent by rubbing, headbutting, licking, or even gently biting you. This allows your cat to reclaim their territory, and it's thought to increase endorphins, which gives them a sense of calm, happiness, and safety.
Some kitty lovers call this a 'love bite', others call it petting aggression. It's a controversial subject but it's believed that if your cat suddenly bites you for no apparent reason, it could be because they are being overstimulated by the constant stroking - which you thought they were enjoying!
Often, they wrap their front paws around your hand, scratch with their back feet and then bite – this is how they would kill their prey in the wild. They don't want to hurt you so don't worry, they are just acting on their natural animal instincts and being playful.
If your cat starts swatting, ignore the behavior by ending the play session and walking away.
Speaking of games, cats swatting at other cats (or you) is their idea of a good time. It can also be a cat's way of asserting itself as the dominant feline. As long as there's no hissing, clawing, or other aggressive behavior, you don't really have to worry about it.
Never hold down, shake or hit your cat. Physically harming your cat can actually make the situation worse and cause her to lash out or become withdrawn. Also, cats have a hard time associating the physical punishment with the bad behavior, so you're not actually training her to stop doing it.
For reasons that remain unknown, some cats may suddenly become aggressive when being petted. Possible explanations include overstimulation and an attempt by the cat to control when the petting ends. Handling, bathing, grooming, and nail trimming can also cause this type of aggression.
Why? Many cats exhibit what behaviourists call “petting-induced aggression,” an instinctive reaction to something they find unpleasant, even painful. Compared to dogs, cats are generally less tolerant of petting. When, where and how long cats can be touched before they become overstimulated vary from cat to cat.
There are several signs a cat loves you, including purring, following, grooming, cuddling, and showing you their bellies. Paying close attention to your cat's body language and behavior can tell you how they feel in almost any situation, helping you determine whether they truly love you.
Cats bite to send messages, Purina says. They may be telling you to stop petting them or they could be biting you out of playfulness. Unexpected biting while your cat is being petted is a very common occurrence.
Biting is common for kittens while they play, so it's common to get a few gentle love bites from a cat who's just trying to have some fun. While it may seem cute as a kitten, you'll want to redirect this behavior onto cat toys so they don't continue to use your fingers, wrists, and ankles as toys into their adulthood.
Typically, your feline friend swats at your feet because they want food or a snuggle session, or perhaps are acting out aggression. But more often than not, they do it because they want to play. A cat who's looking for a playmate doesn't exhibit hostile or fearful behavior — quite the opposite, in fact.
Most often cats will start hissing at you because they are annoyed and are trying to tell you to back off. However, a hissing cat could also be telling you that they are in pain and need your help.
Noise, boredom, or too much competition for resources such as food or the litter box can all cause aggression. Make sure you provide plenty of access to calm “escape” spots, playtime, and other resources.
As for why your cat is angry, chances are it's afraid, feeling territorial, having a conflict with another cat or a dog, or in pain.
In some cases, your cat may hug and bite your arm as a result of being fearful and anxious. This is a defense mechanism showing that the furbaby is trying hard to protect themselves or cover up their territories. Aggression bites from cats may be a result of your fault in most cases.
Often, cats become overstimulated when being pet and instinctively bite to let their owners know they've had enough – a behavior known as petting aggression. Biting is a hunting instinct, so cats may also bite during playtime.
Why do some cats dislike belly rubs? Hair follicles on the belly and tail area are hypersensitive to touch, so petting there can be overstimulating, Provoost says. “Cats prefer to be pet and scratched on the head, specifically under their chin and cheeks,” where they have scent glands, Provoost says.
Hugging your arm or leg and biting you is a classic cat hunting move. When cats catch large prey, they will often grasp it with their front legs and then bite it while 'bunny kicking' with their back legs. If your cat is doing this to you, they are misdirecting their hunting behaviour onto you.