Quick Answers
When a cat playfully bites you, it is usually a sign of affection and playfulness. Cats commonly bite during play as a mimicry of hunting behavior. Light playful bites allow cats to practice hunting skills without inflicting damage. It is a normal cat behavior, especially in young, energetic cats. While play bites don’t usually break the skin, they can sometimes be too rough. Training your cat not to play bite so hard prevents injury. Overall, play biting is a cat’s way of bonding and interacting with you.
Why Do Cats Play Bite?
Cats commonly use playful biting or “nibbling” as a form of feline communication and play. Here are some of the main reasons why cats play bite:
- Instinct to hunt – Biting is practice for important survival skills like catching prey.
- Kitten behavior – Kittens learn to inhibit bite force with litter mates.
- Bonding – Play biting can strengthen the bond between a cat and its human companion.
- Affection – Gentle playful bites are a sign of love and care.
- Boredom – Less stimulation may cause a cat to play bite more.
- Energy – High energy cats tend to play bite more frequently.
The most common reason for play biting is that it allows cats to engage in predatory behavior and practice hunting skills. Cats are natural hunters with strong instincts to chase prey and bite. Play biting or nibbling with humans substitutes for this activity. Kittens also learn how to inhibit their bite force while play wrestling with littermates. So gentle play biting continues into adulthood as a social interaction and display of affection. For energetic cats or cats that lack stimulation, play biting may increase. But the behavior stems from the cat’s instincts and desire for playful interaction.
Signs of Play Biting vs Aggressive Biting
Most cat owners can tell the difference between gentle play biting and aggressive biting. Here are some signs of playful biting:
- Gentle bites that don’t break the skin
- Biting accompanied by a relaxed body posture
- Purring or chirping while biting
- Playful energy and jumping around
- Biting followed by licking the bitten area
- Take turns biting and being bitten
- Biting your hands or feet when you move them under a blanket
Aggressive biting often happens for different reasons, such as:
- Fear or defensiveness
- Pain or illness
- Redirected aggression
- Predatory aggression toward small animals
- Provocation or annoyance
Signs of aggressive biting include:
- Bites that break the skin
- Biting accompanied by snarling, growling, or hissing
- Ears folded back while biting
- Biting without letting go
- Biting when being petted or held
- Biting feet or ankles when you walk by
The strength and location of bites, as well as your cat’s body language, help indicate motivations. But some overly energetic play bites may accidentally break skin. If unsure, consult an animal behavior specialist.
Effects of Play Biting on Skin
Play biting usually does not break the skin or cause injury. A cat’s skin is quite thick relative to their small teeth and bite strength. However, energetic play bites can sometimes lead to:
- Mild redness or scratches
- Superficial skin abrasions
- Accidental broken skin from canine teeth
Cats have sharp teeth even though play bites are inhibited. Their small canine teeth can accidentally break skin if they bite down too hard. Kittens learning to control bite force may cause some minor skin injuries while play biting. But while play bites rarely cause noteworthy injury, bites that break skin should be monitored for signs of infection. See your doctor if swelling, redness, oozing, or fever occur after a cat bite.
Most of the time, play biting only leads to slight redness that resolves quickly. It is wise to discourage cats from biting hands since these have greater injury risk. Use toys for play instead. Also trim your cat’s nails regularly to avoid scratches during energetic play. Overall though, play biting poses low risk of significant skin injury in most cases.
Stopping Excessive Play Biting
While play biting is normal cat behavior, you may want to curb excessive or rough play biting. Use these tips to stop a cat from play biting too much:
- Say “ouch!” or shriek when bitten too hard so the cat learns to inhibit force.
- Redirect biting onto toys instead of hands and feet.
- Avoid waving fingers and toes in your cat’s face to decrease opportunity.
- Pet and positively reinforce when your cat is relaxed and not play biting.
- Increase daily play sessions to satisfy your cat’s needs.
- Consider clicker training to teach your cat the “no bite” command.
- Remove yourself from the room briefly when your cat play bites.
Kittens often outgrow excessive play biting as they mature. But consistent positive reinforcement training helps teach appropriate bite inhibition. See an animal behaviorist if play biting remains problematic. In rare cases, medication may be prescribed to reduce a cat’s excessive energy and need to play bite. Overall though, play biting diminishes in most cats by adulthood with proper training and outlet for normal play needs.
Is Play Biting a Sign of Aggression?
Play biting itself is not a sign of aggression in cats. It’s normal predatory play and social bonding for cats to gently bite during play. However, play that is too rough or escalates in intensity can sometimes precede aggressive behaviors.
Signs that play biting may be evolving into problematic aggression include:
- Increasing bite pressure during play sessions
- Biting that consistently breaks skin
- Biting paired with growling, swatting, or hissing
- Biting that is no longer inhibited even if you cry out
- Biting hard and not letting go
- Biting when being petted or held
Cats that excessively play bite to the point of aggression usually do so because of lack of training, overly high energy, stress, fear, discomfort with handling, or possessiveness. Consult with a veterinary behaviorist if your cat’s play biting seems to be turning aggressive. Proper treatment includes addressing the underlying motivation, counterconditioning, medication if necessary, and reinforcing non-aggressive behaviors. With the right approach, play biting aggression can be resolved in most cats.
Are Love Bites the Same as Play Bites?
Love bites and play bites describe similar behavior in cats. The terms can be used interchangeably. When a cat delivers gentle nibbling bites while purring, rubbing, or kneading, it displays signs of affection. Love bites are one way cats show attachment to human companions. Cats may love bite during petting, snuggling, lap sitting, or mutually enjoyed play sessions. Being bitten gently while your cat appears happy and relaxed implies they trust and feel bonded to you. Essentially, love bites indicate your cat is comfortable, content, and full of affection. Both love bites and play bites suggest your cat cares about you and seeks positive interaction.
Conclusion
Play biting is normal behavior for cats, especially lively kittens. It allows them to practice hunting skills and interactive play. While play bites rarely cause injury, discourage biting hands since these have greater sensitivity. Excessive play biting can be redirected onto toys and curbed with training. Although play bites do not indicate aggression, monitor for any escalation in force or paired aggressive behaviors. Gentle love bites demonstrate a cat’s affection and comfort with their human companion. Overall, playful biting is a cat’s way of showing trust, bonding, and engaging in social play with the ones they love. With proper care and training, play biting can strengthen the feline-human bond.