Why Do Kittens Bite When You Pet Them

Other cats won t put up with being hurt.

Why do kittens bite when you pet them. Petting induced aggression and it s a poorly understood topic. You can discourage the behaviour by praising them for gentle play during bonding sessions. Kittens develop good manners through interaction with other kittens and their mother. As long as they are willing make sure to take some time every day to pay special attention to your cat.

Cat biting when playing cats often bite during play because they are expressing their natural hunting instinct. These may include the following. Restless movement of the tail which they present elevated. When cats bite in this context it s not a sign of affection but rather a signal that the cat is done with the interaction.

It is also possible if not likely that your cat bites or claws you when you pet them because you haven t accurately read their signs. On rare occasions however your kitten may be biting because they are afraid. This is especially true when your kitten s playmate is a young child. It turns out that kitten biting is part of the play behavior kittens learn when they are with their littermates.

Kittens love to use their mouths when they play with one another so they mimic that same behavior when they play with their human friends. Most of the time kittens bite when you pet them because they are playing. Many pet owners call this common behavior love biting but feline behaviorists have given it a more formal name. If the petting continues despite the cat s efforts to signal that he or she is done with being petted the cat may escalate to a bite says dr.

This behavior is natural to kittens and is not a sign of hostility or fear most of the time but if left unchecked it can become a serious problem. A kitten usually bites because of a socialization issue while an adult cat may bite for a different reason. A lot of the time with a cat bite it may be because they are trying to get your attention. This is the time when each kitten learns how to use an inhibited bite so as not to.

Whenever your cat engages in play that uses their paws but not their claws or teeth reward them with plenty of affection and a reward or treat. Let them sit in your lap pet them when they rub against you or spend some time playing with them.