Minnesota Valley Humane Society

Why Cats Bite - What To Do

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A cat that is a biter is nearly always one that was not socialized as a kitten or has been mistreated in some way and developed a mistrust of humans. The cat misunderstands your friendly approaches and instead thinks she must defend herself. Another possibility is that the cat was played with roughly as a kitten.

Other reasons for bad temperament include stress, illness and pain. Cat owners who are too rigid in training the pet to use the litterbox or scratching post, or try to train it to stay off furniture, can stress any normal cat into turning aggressive.

Also, an unneutered or unspayed cat may suffer from hormonal problems and will not be a calm and sweet-tempered animal. In addition, confining a cat in close quarters can make her stir crazy; illness or injury can give a cat a rotten disposition; and nutritional deficiencies can make a cat nervous and cranky. Such a cat may never become a true lap sitter, but she can learn to trust you and to stop biting and scratching.

BE ADVISED THAT SLAPPING HER WHEN SHE BITES OR SCRATCHES, A NORMAL REACTION ON YOUR PART, ONLY MAKES HER WORSE. AGGRESSION BEGETS AGGRESSION.

  • Don’t corner her to submit to being held. Approach slowly, speaking in a quiet voice. Extend your hand and let the cat sniff it. Scratch her gently behind the ears. If the cat begins to act nervous, stop and walk away.

  • Ask visitors who like cats to act friendly toward your pet in the same way. But if someone is afraid of cats or just doesn’t like them, don’t force that person to meet your angry kitty. The cat will sense the person’s discomfort and will become even more aggressive. Encourage the cat to accept being handled, but wait an hour between overtures. Rushing the pet will only make her suspicious and less likely to respond. Use food treats to make yourself more appealing and toss them towards her, letting her come to you. Do this after closing her in the same room with you, but never go towards her or try to grab her.

  • If the cat seems friendly and allows you to pet her and hold her and then suddenly lashes out, simply put her down and leave her alone.

  • If, while you’re petting your cat, she grabs your hand and starts to bite, try not to snatch your hand away. All you’ll get is a nasty scratch. Instead grit your teeth and gently disengage, saying “No!” quietly and firmly.

  • Play games with your cat frequently but only with toys or harmless objects, never with your hand, toes, or clothing.

  • Love bites-should not be confused with aggressive, angry bites. A love biter just gets carried away and expresses herself by gently nipping the fingers of the people petting her.

    Return to Cat Behavior and Care Fact Sheet List

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    Minnesota Valley Humane Society
    1313 East Highway 13, Burnsville MN 55337
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    Telephone: 952-894-5000
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