Why Does My Cat Headbutt Then Bite Me? - (5 Reasons) (2024)

FAQs

Why is my cat head butting and biting me? ›

If a cat bites or swats at you while you pet them, it doesn't mean they hate you. These reactions are a cat's way of telling you the way you're petting them is either too aggressive or in a spot they don't like. Many cats prefer gentle scratching around the chin as opposed to strokes that go along their entire body.

Adult cats bite out of fear, to assert dominance, or to demand attention. Kittens bite, mouth, and paw things to explore their world—they're all natural behaviors.

The most common reason that cats bite their owners isn't that they have an aggressive cat, it's because they are trying to play! While sharp teeth or claws may not feel very “playful” to you, hunting behavior equals play behavior for your kitty. This means stalking, pouncing, biting, and kicking.

If your cat is drooling while shaking her head, she could be experiencing dental issues, like inflamed gums or gingivitis. Because this makes it difficult to chew, many affected cats will tilt or shake their head strangely while eating. Additional signs of dental issues in cats include: Swelling and redness of gums.

Say something: Startle your cat with a loud "ouch" or another word to end any rough behavior. This is effective for cats that are aggressive with people and may bite or grab onto your arm or leg. Then immediately remove yourself from the cat.

This biting is generally your cat's way of telling you that they're done with having you pat them and that you need to move away. Your cat might not enjoy being petted or may have reached the point where they're overstimulated and need the session to end.

Biting is common for kittens while they play, so it's common to get a few gentle love bites from a cat who's just trying to have some fun. While it may seem cute as a kitten, you'll want to redirect this behavior onto cat toys so they don't continue to use your fingers, wrists, and ankles as toys into their adulthood.

Hugging your arm or leg and biting you is a classic cat hunting move. When cats catch large prey, they will often grasp it with their front legs and then bite it while 'bunny kicking' with their back legs. If your cat is doing this to you, they are misdirecting their hunting behaviour onto you.

Keep in mind that a number of medical conditions can cause or contribute to your cat's aggression, including toxoplasmosis, hyperthyroidism, epilepsy, abscesses, arthritis, dental disease, rabies, trauma, and sensory decline or cognitive dysfunction in older cats.

If your cat sleeps on your bed, he may choose a position that lets him see out your bedroom door more easily. If he's curled up in a ball under your bed or in a quiet corner, then he may be hiding. Cats who sleep under the covers might love being close to you, or they might be hiding to feel safer.

Why do cats rub their face on you then bite? ›

So they want to mark you again with their scent by rubbing, headbutting, licking, or even gently biting you. This allows your cat to reclaim their territory, and it's thought to increase endorphins, which gives them a sense of calm, happiness, and safety.

But now, new research has revealed that cats love getting their head scratched so much because it reminds them of being groomed by their mother as a kitten. It also releases scent glands which can cause a pleasurable response in your cat.

A Sign of Affection

This is a behavior known as allogrooming and can include licking and biting. If your cat starts to nibble on your chin, especially if it is preceded with a few licks, it could just be an episode of allogrooming.

Never Physically Reprimand a Cat

Hitting or shaking your cat can scare them, create hand-shyness or potentially cause harm. You're more likely to experience these unintended consequences than to teach a lesson. Similarly, yelling at your cat can stress them out and over-emphasize the attention to bad behavior.

Cat biting when playing

Cats often bite during play because they are expressing their natural hunting instinct. For kittens, biting and bunny-kicking are normal play behaviours. They play like this with their littermates and mothers and it mimics how they pounce, grab and bite their prey.

Our team of vets agree that using water bottles to discipline cats isn't the best course of action. According to Dr. Dwight Alleyne, “Spraying cats with water can create a negative association with humans. As a result, they may become more anxious or even aggressive over time.”

This is known as pet-induced aggression, which is caused by overstimulation, when periods of interaction have gone too far and they feel that their humans have overstepped the mark! How do I stop my cat from biting (gentle bites or otherwise!)?

Some cats may gently nibble or bite their owners as a sign of affection. It is thought to be reminiscent of how a mother cat will groom her kittens with small bites and is more common in cats who have had litters.

Unlike aggressive bites, cat love bites typically do not break the skin. Furthermore, while a love bite may seem playful, a real bite has a more violent undertone and may occur quite suddenly.

If you allow them to bite and scratch when they are young, it will be hard to stop them doing it when they are older - although most kittens naturally grow out of the habit between 1 and 2 years old.

Why do cats purr and then bite you? ›

Cutler: Cats may be purring if they are relaxed and enjoying being pet or their interaction with you, but then bite (gently or with more pressure) when it gets to be too much for them. Some cats can move very quickly from content with being pet to reaching their limit.

Biting is generally something people associate with negative feelings, but cats are a little different. When your cat nibbles you playfully, she's really offering her affection. This is much different from a fearful or defensive bite that's meant to cause harm, and the feelings behind it are different as well.

Research suggests that catnip targets receptors in their brain to make them feel happy. After an initial bout of stimulation and excitement, the herb helps soothe your cat and calm its aggressive behavior.

They include: Dilated pupils, direct staring. Thrashing/twitching tail. Hissing, growling or spitting.

One of the most plausible and sweetest reasons why your cat “follows” you even into the bathroom is that he loves you. The cat wants to take advantage of every second of your presence and every possible opportunity to spend time with you! He adores you so much that he will follow you everywhere in the house.

Sleeping near you

If your kitty likes to sleep near you - or even on you - this is an indication that they have total trust in you.

Some cats may gently nibble or bite their owners as a sign of affection. It is thought to be reminiscent of how a mother cat will groom her kittens with small bites and is more common in cats who have had litters. This is not usually a problem form of biting.

The most common include: Fear/defense: A fearful cat may exhibit dilated pupils, ears turning back, or a twitching tail. In this situation, your cat may growl, hiss or swat at the person reaching, touching or petting.

This behavior is entirely normal. Your cat is playfully using its innate hunting instincts. You can discourage this by rewarding them with affection or treats for playing nicely and gently.

Why does my cat grab my hand and bite me? ›

This biting is generally your cat's way of telling you that they're done with having you pat them and that you need to move away. Your cat might not enjoy being petted or may have reached the point where they're overstimulated and need the session to end.

Cat humping can be related to stress and anxiety. This is most likely when something has recently changed in the cat's environment: the addition of a new family member, a move, or even a neighborhood cat appearing in the window. Boredom is another cause of humping in cats.

Redirect the behaviour – once you have interrupted an aggressive advance by ignoring and moving away, toss a toy for the cat to initiate appropriate play. You can then reward them for 'good' behaviour. Learn how to predict when play aggression is likely to occur and redirect the behaviour before it happens.

First, identify why your cat may be biting in the first place. Cats bite because they are fearful, stressed, or frustrated. They do not act out of spite or anger. There is always a good reason (in their mind) behind the behavior.

Believe it or not, this is a common feline behaviour known as petting-induced aggression. Some cats respond to petting with aggressive mannerisms such as biting, scratching, hissing, vocalizing, and even growling. This behaviour is also commonly referred to as overstimulation aggression.