My cat gives me love bites....I think?
By glistar
@glistar (127)
United States
January 30, 2009 11:53pm CST
My roommates and I recently adopted a cat from the shelter and we were lucky to choose a cat that is super gentle and loving.
For me at least, I'm a first time cat owner, but our cat has been nipping me a lot when I pet her. It's not with force and I don't think she has intentions to break skin and draw blood, but I can't be sure if it's a love bite. She usually does this while I'm petting her or combing her. She'll come over and rub on me or head butt my hand to pet her and within a few moments turn and give me a soft nip. I usually pull away when she does this, but she continues to butt at my hand. To be honest, I'm not particularly amused by the nips and I'm worried if I don't do anything to stop her, they may lead to more forceful bites.
My roomies have cats, but their cats at home don't do this...so they weren't much help. Any ideas? Thanks!
1 person likes this
6 responses
@bookreadermom08 (5614)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Yes it sounds just like love bites, we had 2 cats and our first one use to do this to me and my hubby, it wasnt anyone in particular... just loved it when he got petted, he loved any attention, and he did the little nips, he grew out of it too, so it depends on how old the kitten is and if it bothers you maybe you want to put lemon on your hands for a bit... they say cats cant stand the smell of lemon/citrus... just a suggestion.
we use to spray the ends of our couch with lemon juice to stop him from scratching when he got older....and it worked.
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@glistar (127)
• United States
31 Jan 09
Not sure if the cat will out grow it because she's already three years old. I'll guess I'll just give her some time and keep up with the negative reinforcements then just wait to see how things work out.
Thanks SO much for the lemon tip. Our cat doesn't scratch the furniture much, thankfully, but it she ever starts up now I know what to use! I read somewhere they didn't like foil, but picturing our couches covered with foil doesn't seem nearly as easy on the eyes as a simple lemon spray.
2 people like this
@bookreadermom08 (5614)
• United States
31 Jan 09
thanks for the best response!!
I hope it works for you, wow 3 and still nipping, that is kind of old for a cat to be doing this, but another suggestion is cats hate certain noises too... a small bottle with 2 pennies in it will scare them away and it another method my friend had to do in order to get her cat to stop doing things in her condo...
I hope some of the advice will help.
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@anjel016 (329)
• Philippines
31 Jan 09
We had several cats before (but now we don't). With our cats, I'm the one whom the most playful to them. As my mother is always busy with work while my sister just prefer dogs. Anyway, I've gained lots of tiny wounds from our cats but not with their nips but instead with their scratches. Whenever I play with them, they are most likely get carried away and their sharp claws most likely scratches me. I only experienced getting bit by our cats when they got hurt.
As for you, it would not be wise if you'll let this continue. Cats do have rabies so please be cautious.
Why not try this. You said that your cat is the one who's asking you to pet her. Just go along and pet her but whenever she will start nipping you, either put her down and stop playing with her or just slap her mouth a little bit to let her know that you do not like what s/he's doing.
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@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
31 Jan 09
Hi glistar and welcome to myLot :) I don't own a cat due to allergies but I'd love to have one. My ex father-in-law bred Himalayans and MAN I really wanted one LOL
I've heard people talk about cats giving "love bites" before so I went looking and found this interesting Q&A:
http://cats.lovetoknow.com/Love_Bites
There is another opinion, too, that some cats do this as a bit of a sensory overload when they want you to stop petting or touching them:
http://www.petroglyphsnm.org/catchats/lovebites.html
I hope these might be helpful for you! :)
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@swietekfam (363)
• United States
31 Jan 09
I have a cat that does this. Sometimes it hurts lol. She(Princess) usually gives them when she wants attention. I start off petting her and if I stop she nips my hand. So She is telling me not to stop. Sometimes she wont let go so I tap her on the nose and say "no bite". She lets go right away and I don't pet her for a few minutes. If it continues, I move away from her so she knows I will not tolerate that. Sometimes cats do that because they want to play. Just be firm and tell yours no to discourage the behavior and take note as to where your touching yours, it could be it does not like a certain area etc. Hope this helps. :)
@chocolatechilli (246)
• South Africa
31 Jan 09
We've had two cats that did this. One, long ago, would from time to time give you a very firm bite in the cheek. At that time, we still had a dog (cross Colley and Alsation, and this cat used to favor the dog with the same treatment - a loving but firm bite in the cheek - and the dog never minded.
Right now, one of our cats does this as well, but not often. It is a sign of affection, and I doubt whether it will get any more serious than it is.
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@wallfranklin (148)
• United States
31 Jan 09
My cat does this quite often. Sometimes I think she does it just to say "I'm here". Also, she'll do this when I'm petting her and I think she wants to play. I'm not to sure, but I'd bet she's not trying to hurt you. I haven't stopped my cat, now 4, and the bites haven't gotten anymore aggressive, or painful.
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