Why do cats bite their owners' hands: odd behavior - how to react

26.12.2023 00:30

Cats bite their owners' hands for various reasons. In most cases, it is because the cat wants to play or get attention.

However, sometimes bites can be associated with aggression or fear.

When a cat bites in play, it usually does so lightly and without causing much harm.

Young and energetic cats often use biting to play with their owner, as with another cat. They may attack and scratch hands, and then bite without putting much force into it.

These playful bites usually occur when the owner teases the cat, such as by moving their fingers or hand.

Cat
Photo: © Belnovosti

Another common reason for biting is a cat's desire to get attention.

If a cat feels ignored, it may lightly bite its owner's hand to remind him of its presence.

This often happens when the owners are too busy with work, the phone or other things, and the cat wants to communicate and play.

Although most cat bites are harmless, sometimes cats may bite out of aggression or fear.

Aggressive behavior often occurs when a cat feels threatened or frustrated.

For example, a cat may bite if it is pestered too much at a time when it wants to be alone.

Bites can also be related to fear. If a cat feels vulnerable or cannot escape from a stressful situation, it will instinctively bite to protect itself.

For example, a cat may scratch and bite your hands when someone tries to pick it up against its will.

To avoid biting due to aggression or fear, it is important to learn to recognize your cat's body language and not make your cat feel threatened.

Don't force your cat to interact if she doesn't want to. It's better to give her space and wait until she wants to interact.

It is also important to play with your cat every day to satisfy its need for activity.

This will help avoid frustration and aggression due to excess energy. Regular games will help build trust and strengthen the bond with your cat.

How should you react if your cat bites your hands? First, it is important to determine the reason for this behavior in order to choose the appropriate response.

If your cat bites during play, it is helpful to say "No!" loudly and stop interacting with it for a while. This will teach your cat that biting is unacceptable. You can then redirect its attention to a more appropriate toy.

In the case of biting due to a desire to attract attention, do not reinforce this behavior with a reaction.

It's best to ignore your cat for a while after the bite so that it understands that biting is not a way to get attention.

In the case of aggressive or fearful bites, it is important not to punish the cat, as this will only increase its fear or anger.

You need to speak in a calm tone, give the cat privacy and wait until it calms down. Then you can try to gently stroke it to establish contact again.

In general, to avoid bites, you should play with your cat regularly, provide it with a comfortable environment, avoid sudden movements, and respect its personal space.

Responding appropriately to bites and patient training will also help develop more acceptable behavior in your cat.

The main thing to remember is that biting is usually not an expression of aggression, but a way for a cat to communicate, and you shouldn’t punish it for it.

It was previously reported why cats don't like to bathe .

Igor Zur Author: Igor Zur Internet resource editor