You have settled into your favorite armchair, perhaps reading the final
chapters of a gripping novel. Suddenly you are aware of the imploring
stare of your cat sitting at your feet. You invite her onto your lap.
Gently you begin to stroke her and your cat signals her appreciation
with an audible purr.
One hand holding your book the other hand continuing to pet your
mouser, you again get lost in your novel. All is well in the world with
you and with your cat.
Suddenly your cat bites your hand!
Why did kitty do that? Why did she bite the hand that strokes her?
The experts don't agree on exactly why it is that some cats enjoy being
petted, but end up biting. One thing that they do agree on is that when
kitty bites at you, it's a sure sign that she has decided that she's
had enough stroking.
Cats differ in the amount of petting they will accept, and not all cats
respond by biting when they have had enough. Some cats simply jump from
your lap and saunter off to investigate interests anew. But many cats
will nip you and your animal is one of them.
Could you have known that a bite was on its way? Yes, there are often
signs that cats give before biting. And, if you had not been so wrapped
up in reading your novel, you may have paid heed to your little pets
warning.
If kitty's tail begins to twitch, in a rolling flick, watch out! She's getting ready to chomp at your hand.
If your cats ears start turning towards the back of her head, or flatten against her head, that's a warning a bite is coming.
If your cat suddenly becomes restless, or stiffens and stares at your hand, she could be about to nip you.
If you noticed any of these signals, simply stop stroking your cat.
Your pet will either stay on your lap or jump down and walk off,
whichever happens you don't get bitten.
What you should not do is punish your cat for biting your hand. That
simply does not work. Cats are more likely to identify the punishment
with you rather than with their bad cat behavior. If you miss a warning
sign and kitty manages to get her jaws around your hand, try to resist
the temptation to pull your hand away or push your cat away. Simply
freeze. Chances are that your cat will not sink her teeth in, she has
got her message across, and you have stopped petting her.
If you try and push your cat away it is likely that she will fight with
your hand resulting in skin punctures for you. (An animal bite can
become infected quite easily, if your cat does draw blood clean up the
wound scrupulously and seek the advice of your doctor.)
Why do some cats behave in this aggressive way? The degree of tolerance
to petting may be genetic, or it may be learned behavior. If when your
cat was a kitten you allowed her to chew on your hand in play, she
learned that biting human hands was an OK thing to do. So, when she
feels that she has had enough stroking (she's the boss remember,) she
will bite at your hand to let you know - if you ignore her warning
signals.
Some experts recommend the use of healthy tidbits, as a reward, in
order to increase the time your cat will tolerate stroking. At the
first warning signal offer kitty a treat, continue to stroke your cat
gently for a time and offer her another reward. It is said that your
cat will learn to connect petting with the tidbits and may, with
patience, allow you to pet her for longer periods.
Larry Chamberlain lives in London, England, and has had a lifelong fascination with domestic cats. His web site
» left by monica from United states (2 years 216 days ago.)
This article has helped me to realize to stop petting my cat when she bites.I figured she was enjoying it that much and wanted me to keep petting her.As the article says,I realized she puts her ears back b4 she bites.I just never put 2 and 2 together Respond to this comment
» left by paul fritze from maine, usa (2 years 137 days ago.)
This feline behavior need not and probably should not be construed as entirely aggressive. While I'm no 'cat expert', I speak from a lifelong experience with cats. Cats like to play...sometimes they get a bit rough without realizing it. Many are also ticklish in certain spots and respond accordingly. A 'bite' doesn't necessarily mean 'stop petting me.' It could mean a variety of things, such as..."That tickles!" or "Thank you for paying attention to me! I love you so much, I want to taste you!" Respond to this comment
» left by anonymous from world (2 years 115 days ago.)
I don't agree with this "expert." My cat jumps on my lap and I can pet him ways unimaginable with him letting me. But If I try to pet from front of him he'll bite. It must be some genetic or kitten experience thing burned to his brain. I love cats, but I'm no fool to think that they have such complex psychological lives. This is drivel. Respond to this comment
» left by Larry Chamberlain(1,706) (2 years 115 days ago.)
Hi, I’m sorry that you think the article ‘drivel’, I don’t call myself an "expert" by the way. Great that you can pet your cat. Respond to this comment
» left by Lisa from Long Island, New York (2 years 63 days ago.)
I just thought Mickey, was psychotic! He'll be purring 1 minute & the next, he has me clutched & I get a painful bite! 1 time, I was sitting at my computer, Mickey jumped from floor & chomp at my shoulder, only to land on his feet & stroll away. Im getting tired of having to explain these dracula marks all over my arms & shoulders! I keep a water spray bottle near me now, and even when he looks at me in that weird way , I just show him the bottle. What else can I try? Respond to this comment
» left by Debra Domeier from Rockford, Ohio (2 years 26 days ago.)
I am "kitty sitting" my brother's family cat, Tiger, because he is in the army and they went to Japan. They had difficulty with customs. And Tiger loves to purr and asks to sit on my lap while I am typing on the computer... And just like you said ... I reach down to pet him, and I get chopped... sometimes, it's a short period of time and others it is longer. I never noticed that his tail flicks before he attacks. Thanks. I just set Tiger on the floor now and let him go on his way. Respond to this comment
» left by cillian (329 days 20 hours ago.)
I agree with what the article says, but my cat has a different way of biting me when being petted. if i stop he will rub his face along my forearm and make a little nip. Its not a violent bite and he seems to do it to get petted more. Any ideas on this behavior? Respond to this comment
» left by Larry Chamberlain. (329 days 5 hours ago.)
Hi Cillian,
I know a cat who does exactly that, not a bite exactly. I agree that he is likely just letting you know that he likes it and is maybe just returning the love. Respond to this comment
» left by Catherine from Spencer, MA (143 days 3 hours ago.)
This is an open question to anyone that may have a suggestion... Very
recently a feral cat (her ear was clipped designating her as feral I
was informed by our local D.A.R.T team), has been showing up for food
and water at my townhouse. Neighbors told me that have lived here for
over twelve years, that the cat has been wild here for at least all
twelve sleeping in people's trellised cubbie's attached to the
basements during the winters next to the exhaust from the dryers for
warmth. She is quite overweight because there are plenty of people
putting food out for her. But, she seems very much to want a family,
and has chosen my daughter and I to move in with. She is extremely
affectionate and loving! But, the poor thing is a mess, fleas, ticks,
mites and mange cover this poor thing! I removed a monster tick from
her neck with tweezers, bought a flea collar for her, ear mite stuff to
put in her ears, flea and tick spray for her and the living room. The
problem is she wont let us put anything other than the collar on her
yet. She loves to be petted, but she seems to have radar up for any
other intentions and bolts promptly for the basement. I have been
unemployed for the past three years since a very bad head-on car
accident, and am having problems finding employment due to the
permanent damage- the result is that I am too poor to go to vet with
her, it is hard enough coming up with the newly incurred cat expenses!
She brought in a baby rabbit that I almost stepped in this morning too,
that was dismembered and there was blood everywhere on my beige carpet
and sofa where the gutting must have taken place. I read the indoor cat
advice, but this cat will never be an indoor pet cat. She has spent
most of her life as a wild animal. I think someone probably had owned
her when she was young and moved away and left her here... and here she
has stayed. I don't live near any major cities where there may be
organizations that may take on the massive debugging that this animal
so obviously needs. I read once that baby oil is an effective killer of
the mites that cause one of the mange types, but she wont let me put it
on her as I pointed out before. She has huge patches of missing fur on
her throat area and underside of her neck, some on an ear, her legs,
and tail. She also sneezes constantly and has a runny eye. Any
suggestions besides the vet unless they are free? This cat has been at
my apartment now for one week during daylight hours, but she pretty
much leaves every night to return for breakfast... (or with breakfast!)
every morning. Respond to this comment
» left by Larry Chamberlain(1,706) (142 days 9 hours ago.)
Hi Catherine, You are to be commended for the concern you are showing for this poor cat. I wish that I could suggest the perfect answer for you, but I fear that there isn't one. I know you say that a vet is out of the question but from what you write I would say that only a vet can help this poor cat. One suggestion I can make is that as this cat is known to several of your neighbors, could you not club together to raise the money to get the cat help, either from a vet or a low cost shelter? I'm sorry that I can't be of more help and hope that others can come up with more suggestions for you. Respond to this comment
» left by Catherine from Spencer, MA (141 days ago.)
Thankyou for the suggestion Larry! But, my neighbors have mostly not
been of any help to her other than her sleeping in their dryer's
exhaust without their knowledge for all twelve of her years here. I
have noticed bowls of milk or food out as I walk along the back, but
no-one has ever taken her in until we did. In general people screech,
"get away from me!", when she approaches them! (She is a sorry sight!)
But, I will contact Animal Control to see if they may have any
suggestions or contacts as some organization at one time did sterilize
her and clip her ear! Respond to this comment
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Article added to SearchWarp.com on Wednesday, February 15, 2006 View other articles written by Larry Chamberlain(1,706)
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