When a cat bites a person's fingers, it can be unexpected and even painful, but there can be various reasons behind this action: from playfulness to stress, from a display of affection to a reaction to illness.
We will try to understand the reasons for this behavior of cats, and explore what these bites can mean.
She's having fun
One of the simplest reasons why a cat might bite a person's fingers is because it thinks it's funny.
Many cats enjoy chewing, so if your pet has ever grabbed your fingers, he may decide that they have become his favorite chew toy.
This behavior is usually not a cause for concern unless the cat is causing harm.
If this is the case, train her to stop by pulling your hand away and saying "Ouch!" when she bites. Eventually, she will begin to understand that biting hurts the person and should stop.
Fingers smell like food
If a cat bites your fingers after you've just finished cooking or eating, there's a chance that your cat will taste the food residue.
After washing your hands, most people can't detect any residual meat aroma that cats may find appealing. Cats have a stronger sense of smell than humans, so it's possible that she could still detect residual food odor.
Shows love
Cats show love in many ways. Sometimes she will pester, other times she will ignore, and on occasion she may bite.
If a cat frequently bites its owner's fingers, it may be showing affection.
An easy way to tell if this is the case is to replace your finger with a chew toy. If your cat ignores the toy and continues to bite your fingers, there is a good chance that it is showing affection for the person.
Overexcited
Whether a cat runs away from or attacks a stressor, an overstimulated cat may exhibit strange behavior. In some cases, overstimulation may lead to a cat chewing on a person's fingers.
This is especially true if the person has been petting the cat. Although cats enjoy being petted, their tolerance for physical contact has time limits. If you continue to pet the pet, it may bite the closest part of the body, which is the fingers.
To prevent this from happening again, watch for signs that your cat is overexcited and stop petting her before she feels the need to pounce.
Teeth are coming in
Often, a kitten will start biting a person's fingers because they are teething. Just like humans, teething can be painful for a kitten, causing them to chew on anything they can to relieve the pain.
After eight weeks, your kitten should be past the teething stage, but the habit of chewing on fingers may persist.
Wants attention
Although cats can sometimes act aloof, they are social animals. When ready to interact, they will approach a person, and if they do not respond, they may bite their fingers to get attention.
If she bites your fingers, runs away, and then looks back at you, this is an indication that your pet wants to be played with.
Stress or anxiety
When a cat is stressed or anxious, she may seek comfort in the form of her favorite chew toy. If that chew toy happens to be her fingers, she may bite them whenever she feels bad.
If your cat is stressed or anxious, one of the first steps to take is to rule out any underlying health problems.
Feeling unwell or in pain can make your pet anxious, so consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
Playing
Another reason why a cat might bite a person's fingers is because it is playing.
Play fighting is a common way cats play with each other and with people, and the goal is not to cause harm.
However, a cat's teeth are sharp and can accidentally prick too hard. You can distract your pet from your hand by offering him a more interesting toy.
Previously, we talked about what to use at home instead of bleach .
