Why does my kitten bite me? Kittens often bite while they're playing and become overexcited. This is a natural behavior in kittens and not usually a sign of hostility or fear, but if left unchecked, it can become a serious problem.
Fortunately, you can typically train kittens to stop this behavior. Here are some possible reasons your kitten is biting you and what you can do about it.
Why Do Kittens Bite?
Your kitten may bite you for several reasons, and playing is the most common. Kittens won’t grow out of rough play if it's not consistently discouraged. Biting is a normal behavior, and humans must teach kittens how to behave properly.
However, biting or scratching can also mean your kitten is stressed, sick, or in pain. Here are some possible explanations for kitten biting:
Playing
Kittens often bite during play. This is how they learn to socialize with their siblings, test boundaries, practice hunting, and have fun. They may display the same behavior while playing with you, and sometimes they'll grab you and bite a little too hard.
Teething
The discomfort of teething may cause kittens to chew on things, including you. Kittens start losing their baby teeth around 3 to 4 months of age, and they're replaced with adult teeth by the time they're 6 months old.
Seeking Attention
If your kitten nips at you and meows, they might be asking for attention. Your kitten may even try to lead you somewhere to ask for something specific, such as food or playtime.
Affection
Some kittens give their humans affectionate love bites, especially during snuggly petting sessions. They may lick you first, and then take a little nibble. Just be aware that some cats snap or bite when they get overstimulated, something called petting aggression. It's more common in adult cats but kittens may do this too.
Stress, Anxiety or Fear
A kitten may bite in self-defense if they feel threatened or frightened. Changes in your home may cause stress that puts your kitten on edge, such as loud noises and other pets or people. In addition, your kitten may dislike the area you're touching and bite to get you to stop.
Frustration
Kittens may become frustrated if they see an animal or object they can't reach (like a bird outside a window). This may cause them to redirect these intense emotions toward you, leading to a bite.
Medical Conditions
A kitten may bite when they're sick or in pain, especially if they're touched where it hurts. Watch for signs of illness, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and poor appetite.
What To Do If Your Kitten Bites
If your kitten bites you during play, it's time to end playtime. Your kitten needs to know that a bite on exposed skin is inappropriate.
If your kitten bites when being petted or handled. they may be uncomfortable with that type of touch. Avoid touching your kitten's paws, belly, and underside of the tail. While some kittens are comfortable with being touched on any part of their body, others are protective of these sensitive spots.
If someone other than yourself is complaining about the kitten's biting, watch to see the interaction between that person and the kitten. Some young children don't understand that they can hurt a pet and may be inadvertently playing too roughly with the kitten.
If the biting happens outside playtime, take a closer look at the situation:
- Examine your kitten gently by petting them all over. If they consistently react negatively to a gentle touch in a certain location, there's a good chance they are in pain and a trip to the vet is in order.
- Be sure that your kitten's behavior is not related to something that it finds frightening. For example, is it scratching only in certain locations in the home, with certain people, or around certain animals? If that's the case, you may wish to investigate the possibility of fear.
- When unsure of the cause of your kitten's biting and scratching, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
How to Stop Scratching and Biting
You've checked and are sure your kitten's biting and scratching is not a sign of any physical problem, but you're still winding up with kitten scratches and nips. Here are some tips for managing the problem and training your kitten to stop this behavior.
Teach Proper Play
When kittens bite during play, they've likely been encouraged to do so at some point. This is especially common if you or your children thought the behavior was cute when the kitten was very small and inadvertently reinforced it.
Do not "roughhouse" with your kitten or allow them to bite or scratch at any age. Rough play teaches cats that hands are toys; this habit will be harder to stop later. Substitute cat toys for your fingers when you're playing and save your fingers for gentle petting. Make all family members (and visitors) aware of these guidelines so the cat will receive a consistent message.
Yell "Ouch"
Say "Ouch" loudly and clearly if your kitten bites. While you have their attention, slowly move your hand away. Don't yank it away or the kitten will think the play is on, and they will try to grab it again.
Give the Kitten a Time-Out
If your kitten keeps trying to bite, leave the room or put your kitten in a quiet room with the door closed. Kitty may be overstimulated and needs some quiet recovery. Open the door after about five minutes. If the kitten is asleep, which is often the case, leave them alone with the door open. If they're awake, they may want loving attention. Forget the play for now: just pet your kitten or offer a delicious treat.
Redirect the Kitten's Attention
Often playful biting of hands or feet occurs simply because your cat is bored, and is looking for a play object. Give your kitten several 15-minute play sessions several times a day using a wand toy or interactive toy. Once you've established that hands are not toys, your play sessions should be more enjoyable for both of you.
In addition to active play, you can also enrich your cat's environment. A cat tree, window perch, and scratching post (or two) are all positive additions to your home. To the kitten, these are now places to play, explore, and relax.
When to Get Professional Help
If you and your family have tried these techniques consistently and your kitten is still biting, it's time to get help. Speak with a veterinarian or contact a credentialed feline behavior consultant. These experts can often come to your home, assess the situation, and offer concrete tips and solutions.