Why does my cat like to lick then bite me out of nowhere?
My cat is normally pretty lovey, but she's been acting up recently. She still cuddles up and starts licking my hand when I pet her, but then she just bites me randomly. Is this normal or is there another reason my cat has been doing this?
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Expert Answers
Are you playing with your cat or petting them when this happens? Are your hands near their face? Cats don't have great close-up eyesight. They’re basically farsighted. So, something squirming near their face can result in them fighting or biting. It’s not really the cat’s fault, they see something small and squirmy and blurry, and their instincts kick in to tell them there’s a fish or worm in front of them. Regardless, you should know that you can train your cat to stop biting you the same way you’d train your dog. Cats are very trainable, people just don’t try because they assume cats can’t learn! Start giving your cat treats whenever they sit with you without biting and withhold the treats whenever they do bite. Over time, your cat will figure out that they get rewards when they’re nice to you.
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If you’ve ruled out potential medical issues, the odds are high your cat just never learned not to bite. Cats are supposed to learn not to bite when they’re kittens, but if your cat grew up without their littermates or they were a stray, they may have never had that learning experience. It’s possible you may just have a kitty who needs extra time to learn that toys are for biting and hands are for petting. Be patient and try to reward your cat when they behave well.
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Reader Answers
This could be what's known as "petting aggression." My cat has done this when he feels overstimulated or is tired of being pet. I find that he tends to nip me first as a warning, and then he licks my hand almost like he's apologizing. If she seems fine otherwise, this might just be her way of telling you she's overstimulated. Cats are finicky, she might want to cuddle or lay near you without being touched!
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This is the best answer. Cats tend to bite, usually gently, when they are finished being petted. They let you know by biting, usually a gentle but firm bite. If they bite then lick, they are letting you know it's a love bite. I had a friend who had several cats, and one cat let me pet her; she would also bite my fingers. I would snatch my hand away. After a while, she would bite, then lick my fingers to let me know it was a love nibble.
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My cat, Felix, loved to cuddle with me for years. One day, he started nipping at me whenever I’d pet him. It was so odd, he’d never done that. I took him to a vet and it turned out he had a brain issue. I’d highly recommend going to get your cat checked out if this behavior sort of came out of nowhere.
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My cat used to do this whenever she was hungry. It was her way of letting us know her food bowl was empty.
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I used to watch my friend’s cats when she’d go out of town. She had four cats and one of them would always nip at me whenever I was paying attention to one of the other three. I think it was that cat’s way of going, “Hey! Stop hanging out with them and come play with me!”
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If your cat is licking and biting the same spot, it’s likely the area smells like food to them. Did you rub that part of your body against the garbage and get some food smells on you? Did you drop some food? Licking and biting together screams “I want to eat that” to me.
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One tip: watch your cat's tail. If they start to flick their tail, they are getting irritated with the petting or overstimulated or they want it to stop soon. I started watching my cat's tail and when he starts to flick his tail, two or three times, I stop petting him. No more bites to let me know he's done being petted.
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I have the same thing but also my cat likes to hunt...............You should see if she has been doing other things that are strange and if they are try to find something that could find out why your cat is being odd.
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Cats are sensitive when you pet their stomaches and they may bite or scratch if you get too close. Once a cat gets to know and trust you, then it may let you pet its tummy a little.
When a cat growls or hisses at you, the best thing to do is step away and give them some alone time. Trying to get closer to them will only make them get more aggressive.
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If a cat raises their head to show you their chin, it's a good sign they'd like a pet or a chin rub. Don't scratch or pet too forcefully, start soft until the cat gets used to you.
If the cat is temperamental, make a kissing sound and see if the cat approaches you. Then, hold out your hand and let the cat sniff your hand and clothing before you pet it.
Reader Tips from How to Discipline Cats
Cats react to facial expression more than you may think. Remember to smile whenever it has done something good, and dramatically act out your pain if it has scratched you.
When kittens or cats are around small children, be sure to supervise them and show the kids how to properly handle a cat.
