Cat Behaviour: What To Do When Purrs Become Bites
Even the most experienced of cat owners has felt the unwelcome pressure of teeth on their hands whilst petting their cat. It seems that, having purred loudly for a few minutes as you stroke them, cats can sometimes suddenly turn the tables and bite you instead. Here, we explain what might be going through a cat’s mind when purrs become bites.
Cats have two types of bites
You may have noticed this. Cats engage in ‘play biting’, where they simply loosely grasp your offending hand in their teeth. They do this with other cats, too, when they are playing! These gentle types of bites are not meant to wound, but rather to warn. They are your cat’s way of reasserting their boundaries and telling you that they have other things to do now. When cats switch from purring to a gentle bite they are most likely saying – ‘okay, I enjoyed that, but not too much of it please’.
The other type of biting is in earnest. If cats feel afraid, anxious or defensive, they can really lash out with both tooth and claw. Whilst play bites are not meant to draw blood, these bites that are in earnest often really smart! Ow!
Listen to your cat
A cat generally will only really lash out if it is in pain, or if you have repeatedly ignored its warnings to back off. So when you are cuddling your cat, make sure to listen to their signals. If they want to shift position, let them. If their tail starts flicking to and fro, they might be starting to get a little annoyed for some reason. If they open their eyes and glare – well, maybe see if they want a different kind of petting! And, if you are treated to a play bite, now is probably time to let your kitty get on with their own thing for a while, so they doesn’t lash out. It does not mean that your cat doesn’t love you – all kitties get a little cranky like this every now and then, bless them.
If your cat lashes out in a way that seems very out of character or unexpected, they might be in pain. Perhaps you touched a sore spot when all you meant to do was give them a friendly stroke! Cats, especially outdoor cats, can get into fights and can sustain scratches and scrapes as a result. When purrs turn to bites in this way, check your cat over gently and see if they are injured anywhere.
When purrs turn to bites, as you can see, there could be many reasons for your cat’s behavior. From a hidden sore spot to ignored warnings, and from playful behavior to feelings of stress and anxiety, your cat’s sudden switch from purring happily to gnawing on your bare arm can have numerous complex motivations!
Getting to know your cat
Understanding what is happening when purrs turn to bites is all about getting to know your cat and about making sure that you respond to their signals. Remember, cat’s cannot speak so body language is their communication tool.
Let us know how you have managed this type of behaviour and what has worked for you!
