Handling Biting Cats

Understand Your Cat


Handling Biting Cats:

In contrast to dog aggression, which basically occurs due to the inherent dominant nature of dogs, feline aggression and biting cats is most of the times a playful activity. Cats will very seldom resort to aggression without provocation.

But they are likely to react aggressively if provoked too much. A fearful cat is more likely to try the escape route and hide behind a sofa. Biting is not a natural response that it has.

Biting Cats - Cat Trainer

Handling cats with aggression

Although it is not uncommon to hear of cats losing their homes due to aggressive behaviors like cat biting. Physical distress and fear are factors that can drive cats to indulge in biting in the same way that it provokes aggressive dog behavior.

However, it is only when aggression is encouraged or ignored that a cat tends to behave aggressively.

For example, a delivery man, who hides or runs away on seeing a household cat that shows aggressive body language, is sure to instill enough confidence even in an otherwise docile cat. He will remember it and every time a delivery man comes knocking he is liable to face an increasingly aggressive cat every time.

Cats are actually very predictable animals and seldom do anything without a reason. Cats that bite or indulge in excessive scratching often develop the habit due to human negligence.

Playful biting and scratching are integral parts of cat behavior. This behavior can commonly be observed in a litter of kittens, where life lessons are learned and the winner takes it all.

They also tend to indulge in aggressive play with a toy mouse or a human who happens to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. When you do not teach a cat that human hands are not toys, they are bound to bite or scratch them whenever they feel like playing. But when you have biting cats – that is a whole different story.

What Causes Biting Cats?

One of the major reasons behind cat biting is the inability of humans to understand body language of cats. Normally, most cats love to be petted and will allow you to do it for hours. But some cats can get over stimulated by petting and usually signal that they want you to stop.

These signals may come in the shape of narrowed eyes with ears flattened backwards and ultimately, tail lashing – which is a very obvious symptom that the cat is not happy. If you ignore these signals, you are most likely to be bitten by the cat. Watch out for such signals well in time and stop petting.

Indoor only cats may be likely to vent their frustration at whosoever is nearby when they see a potential prey outside. If it is another cat that he sees outside he may be afraid. In either case you should allay his fears by playing with him and giving extra treats to redirect his attention.

Handling Biting Cats:

Handling Cats That Bite?

Sometimes, there may be a medical condition that is causing a cat distress which leads to the cat biting. Make sure to pay attention to any wounds, lacerations or conditions of the skin that you see.

Cat parasites like mites or fleas can cause extreme distress and cause abnormal behaviors in cats, including scratching and biting.

A docile cat may become aggressive if her hormonal balance is disturbed due to any underlying disease. The veterinarian is the right person to consult in such cases.

Kittens and young cats are used to rough play with each other. During the process they get used to the protective fur of other cats and do not realize that human skin is delicate and easily damaged. While dog biting is normally reported, cat biting is somewhat a domestic concern, but a concern nonetheless.

Handing cat biting mostly involves getting familiar with the cat, avoiding rough play and understanding your cats body language.

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One Response

  1. Tasha March 23, 2010

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