Are you curious about why do cats nibble on you? Most of the pet parents may have noticed that pets often bite or lick them. These curious behaviors seem to be habitual to many of you. Many cats nibble on their owner’s fingers frequently while calm, happy, or affectionate. The manners can be exclusive or interchangeable, alternating between them. Some cats seem to favor one type of biting or licking strongly. Pet owners love them, as long nibbling remains gentle and harmless and does not go into aggression. It is safe to encourage them until they escalate into harm. You can replace the body part with a cat chew toy or cat proof slipper to gnaw. This satisfies their behavior in a better way.
Why Do Cats Nibble on You?
Sign Of Affection
Biting is regarded as a sign of affection. It is usual for pet owners. Nibbling is a way of acknowledging cat-human interaction at a new level. Cats play in this manner keeping in mind that biting is always not about aggression. In the growing stage, mother cats show love to their younger ones by nibbling little insignificant bites or licks. It can be described as love bites. Cats do not learn boundaries at a young age; nibbling can be a form of play. It is advisable not to offer bare hands or feet to cats.
Stress
Nibbling is a way of fighting pain or injuries. Sickness can make cats aggressive, so they choose to bite to cover weakness as a natural defensive measure. It is better to look at the core problem rather than scolding or beating cats. They also suffer from boredom due to a lack of playtime. Cats have lots of inbuilt energy, so physical activity can release extra energy.
Relief From Teething Itch
Teething is common among kittens and human babies; that is why cats nibble on their owners to get relief from itching. Nibbling is an act adopted by kittens to play at an early age with their owners. This behavior may become habitual when they become adults.
Grooming
While grooming or cleaning, cats bite or nibble on the body to get rid of the dirt and debris stuck in between furry coats. If they are nibbling in the same manner on you, it may be because they are similarly grooming you. It can be a form of socialization because cats think of owners as part of the feline family. You can go for a comfortable cat brush in order to avoid these love bites.
Dominance
Some cats do most of the grooming during allogrooming sessions. They show dominance over other cats by grooming them. This process of grooming includes biting or licking cats that are more subservient. It is not done negatively but rather as a sign of dominance. You may not be surprised because sometimes, a cat owner feels the same way.
Marking Owners
Cats use their scents to mark individual territory. The act of nibbling helps to get a scent on owners by rubbing their faces or noses. It is a sign to show other cats that their owners are included in the territory.
Act Of Play
The affection and playfulness of some cats get tangled altogether. They become playful after getting several strokes from owners. Cats show their teeth or paws and catch hands or bite unless the stroking stops. The act stimulates them physically, making them happy and loved. They become wild if you cross the limit and get a complete scrape on your hand.
How to Respond and Stop Cat Love Bites?
Love bites from cats are a sign of intimacy in the feline world. When cats often turn lick into a gentle bite, it does not become forceful until their tail is not twitching. Sometimes it becomes confusing to differentiate a love bite from the aggressive bite. Kittens turn the petting session into aggressive play by grabbing the owner’s fingers and biting. Love bites are gentle, and cats tend to stop within a few seconds. There is no harm in love bites until it escalates into actual aggression. Small bites are a part of the regular grooming ritual. It depicts intimacy with your pets, and everyone does not reach this level.
To avoid love bites, learning cats’ body language is essential and assessing when they are ready to bite. When owners feel that their hands may be grabbed, stop petting and move hands away. If owners can stop in time, they can reward cats with verbal praise or food treat. If the cat has already grabbed your hand, wait for them to let go of your hand and move away.
It is advisable not to punish or scold cats. Any behavioural modification, consistency, and patience are imperative, so cats need to figure out new rules. Use positive reinforcement training like extra petting when cats show appropriate behaviour. Owners who run or yell when bitten may encourage cats and worsen hunting behaviours. Provide environmental enrichment like purchasing toys that require cats to perform a task before getting treats. Hunting simulation toys keeps cats mentally stimulated. Owners can also play videos of birds or fish from cat TV when alone. This helps in reducing stress and decreasing the need for biting. Kittens from an early age need plenty of playtime and safe encouragement for hunting behaviours. Toys such as ribbons and balls can interact with cats hands-free.
Conclusion
The tips and reasons provided above may not work for all cats and in every situation. Cats are referred to as unique creatures, and owners often fail to make sense of their behaviour. Cat owners may see some positive results with the consistent implementation of training strategies. It is recommended to consult a veterinarian if attempts to discourage nibbling behaviours are unsuccessful. If owners do not mind playful nibbles, you can relish that cats try to communicate their love. They appreciate the return of love by refilling the food bowl.