Is It Normal For Cats To Bite When Playing

The play mimics how cats will later pounce on grab and bite prey.

Is it normal for cats to bite when playing. Panting can be a normal response in cats that are overheated stressed and anxious or after strenuous exercise says dr. Because cats mouth and paw objects to explore their world it s natural for them to bite. When cats play rather they do bite and it may look aggressive but those bites do not cause harm to the other cat in any way and do not lead to injury. This goes for kicking as well it should be playful and should not cause injury.

However if you notice one cat biting the other in order to cause harm then your cats are probably fighting instead of playing. Rough play is normal in kittens and cats up to about 2 years old and that includes biting each other under the neck. During a play session biting is often minimal and does not cause any harm. If it does separate the cats and re introduce them.

This is a quick way to kill prey so your cat is likely keeping his hunting skills sharp. This is how they play with their littermates and their mother. Fear or aggression biting. If your cat begins to bite you while you re playing leave the situation and allow your pet some time to calm down.

Here are some typical ones. Claws should remain sheathed ears should largely remain in normal position and not pinned back no piloerection of hair no growling no hissing any biting should be minimal and done without causing pain or injury wrestling and chasing between cats when done in play you should notice the cats take turns. You may also wish to incorporate toys with long handles in your playtime with your cat so that he can t have access to your hands. Young kittens will bite or scratch each other or their owners as part of play and this is normal.

This is a type of social play that the cat usually does to other cat as well as people that owned them. Usually by about four months of age play biting and scratching should subside. This depends entirely upon your pet s behavior with some cats much more likely to bite than others are. Kittens look so cute when they re cuddled up together but they can appear fierce during playtime.

If a kitten spends time around other kittens or their mother these behaviors may subside faster as they learn more quickly by first hand experience from their furry family members that biting and scratching hurt. When littermates are playing they teach each other how to use their teeth gently reigning in their bite. Biting and mouthing is a normal behavior in kittens. More often than not however cats tend to bite when play gets too aggressive or too frantic.

But kitties can learn to inhibit the force of their bites and to use soft paws without claws. Your cat can still nibble and play smack you with a soft paw and enjoy a kitty correct game without drawing blood. For cats playing consist of biting scratching punching and many other action that seems aggressive for human but actually normal in feline world. Elizabeth cottrell dvm a.