I’m sure I’m not the only cat owner to be greeted in bed first thing in the morning (and even sometimes in the middle of the night) by a cat purring and rubbing against my face.
Which I think is just lovely and one of the nice things about having a cat.
But sometimes the oddest thing happens: in the middle of all this purring and rubbing and petting, I suddenly get a small, but sharp, bite on my face.
So what the heck is that all about?
I decided to find out.
“To begin with,” said the Cat, “a dog’s not mad. You grant that?”
“I suppose so,” said Alice
“Well, then,” the Cat went on, “you see a dog growls when it’s angry, and wags its tail when it’s pleased. Now I growl when I’m pleased, and wag my tail when I’m angry. Therefore I’m mad.”
“I call it purring, not growling,” said Alice.
“Call it what you like,” said the Cat.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
When a cat purrs (or growls), it’s not always a sign on contentment. Felines also purr when hurt or stressed.
When a cat purrs and bites, it might only be playfulness, but it can also mean that they’re trying to communicate with humans and are feeling frustrated when their needs aren’t being met. (I’m guessing that my cat is trying to communicate that he wants his breakfast.)
Cats are peculiar animals, and it can take some time to translate their unique and, uh, fierce way of communicating. Cat lovers should remember that cats have unique and intriguing personalities and that the circumstance in which cats find themselves may evoke different responses.
Understanding Why Cats Purr And Bite
When we make an effort to truly understand our pets, it might be surprising to learn how often we misunderstand them.
Through biting, cats express an extensive range of emotions; it can indicate annoyance, fear, playfulness, and in some cases,
affection.
Felines also purr for many reasons, such as happiness, healing, or self-soothing.
Do Cats Only Purr When They Are Happy?
Cats love to lay on our laps and purr as we pet them. Surely this must mean that they’re quite pleased with how life is going at the moment and feeling fine, right?
Not necessarily. According to research, felines also purr when injured or need to self-soothe when stressed or frightened. The study indicates that the frequencies actually promote faster healing times for injured or sick cats.
If your cat is not on your lap or does not appear sick, injured, or stressed, they may also purr in greeting (usually a short vibration followed by a chirp) or when wanting attention or food. (If you own cats, you already know this.)
Video — Sounds of Cats Purring
Do Cats Only Bite When They Are Angry?
As a testament to their temperamental natures, cats can flip on a dime and go from soft and cuddly to miniature murder machines with claws and teeth in a split second. Cats are known to scratch and bite (or as one vet said about our cat, “try to kill everybody in the office”) whenthey become threatened or don’t like how
we handle them.
If your cat doesn’t care to be picked up, bathed, or petted on a specific spot, they can communicate their displeasure with a nip or two. You’ll have to learn what they’re willing to tolerate and keep within those bounds. Once the annoying action stops,
your cat should stop biting.
Cats can also bite when they are playing with us. As with most animals, they experience life through their mouths, and unlike children (or dogs, for that matter), they can’t exactly kick a ball around the yard with their parents.
What Does It Mean When Cats Purr But Then Bite?
Because purring and biting are associated with so many emotions or circumstances, we have to look at various scenarios and decipher the meaning behind the specific behavior.
Your cat’s personality, along with likes and dislikes, will be a good indicator of how they feel in a particular situation and also how they react to it. Some cats are more tolerant, while others have no patience when inconvenienced.
Below, we’ll look at some feline behavior patterns and what they could mean.
Remember that just because it is true for one cat, it doesn’t automatically define the behavior of the feline species.
Why Does My Cat Rub Against Me Then Bite Me?
If you walk past an empty food bowl and your cat is rubbing against you and purring, they’re probably hungry. (You don’t need to be a genius or an animal expert to figure that one out.) If you don’t understand what they’re trying to say to you, or, more likely, if you are pointedly ignoring them because it is not dinner time yet, they can become annoyed and decide to give you a little nudge – or, more accurately, a little bite.
To avoid this behavior, you should make sure you are feeding your cat the right amount of food on a set schedule. When they know when to expect breakfast and dinner, they might not feel they need to remind you.
This doesn’t always mean hunger, though. They could also do this when they want to play or want you to pay attention to them, and you might not have the time to at that particular moment, which can make Kitty a little mad at you.
Unfortunately, their need for activity and company won’t be as easy to schedule as their mealtimes. It’s best to make sure you give them plenty of attention when you have time. Cats may want you to think that they’re tough and independent and don’t need anybody, but they really do crave social interaction.
Why Does My Cat Bite My Face When We Cuddle?
You don’t want to insult your cat by discouraging affectionate behavior. After all, you might get less cuddles in the future if you do, and I know I don’t want that. If the bite is more of a nibble, that is just a cheeky
way cats like to show some love. If it doesn’t bother you all that much, just let it
happen.
But when they bite to hurt, that is aggression, and you should stop the cuddle time immediately by gently moving your cat away from you; clearly, you both need some space. You can also leave the room, which makes it clear that you won’t be bullied.
While cats need social interaction, some might need fewer cuddles than others. If you force your cat to cuddle, they might give you a bite where they find skin – which in this case happens to be your face – to tell you that you are making a nuisance of
yourself.
Many cat owners let their cats come to them when they want cuddles. Waiting for your cat to make the first move lessens the chances of your face being bitten when you try to press them against you for a hug they don’t want at the moment.
Why Does My Cat Grab My Arm And Bite Me?
I don’t I’ve ever had a cat do this to me (I only get chomped in the face), but apparently it does happen.
Depending on how hard they bite, there are a few reasons why your cat is grabbing your arm and biting.
The first and most probable reason is that your cat is just playing the only way they know how to.
If you’ve ever had the chance to watch kitten play, you’ll notice the arm grabbing and biting is very similar to two kittens playing. This type of play is typical and not a problem. If it does turn mean for some reason, then just disengage.
Another possibility is that you might be petting somewhere you have no business touching. This no-go zone differs from feline to feline and will always depend on your cat’s petting preferences. If you know that tummy touching is a danger zone, you best stay clear, or they might grab the arm attached to the offending hand and give it a good bite to discourage a repeat performance.
There are also times when a cat curls around your arm and bites if you pick her up. This is a clear sign that the cat doesn’t want to be handled. The more you pick them up when they try to show you that they don’t like it, the harder they may bite.
Why Does My Cat Bite Me When She’s Being Affectionate?
The same would apply in this scenario as with the cuddle time; it’s merely a way of communication for them. Cats also like to mark their territories, and you are part of their “kingdom.”
If you notice your cat rubbing the side of her face against you (one of my cats does this all the time), they’re transferring their unique scent onto you to mark you as theirs. (Which I think is pretty sweet.) Sometimes, but not always; this can include a gentle bite or two to make sure you are appropriately marked. If you bring a new pet home, you might see this behavior increase.
Why Does My Cat Ask For Attention But Then Bite Me?
Unfortunately, this is expected behavior in most cats. They’ll climb onto your lap, settle in and ask to be petted. As a loving pet owner, you start to give them pets, and before you know it, your cat is suddenly annoyed and bites the same hand that just moments ago was gently stroked the soft fur. So what gives?
Felines are incredibly indecisive. (Be honest, how many times have you opened the door when they asked for them just to turn around and walk away?) The same can apply in this scenario. Your cat might have wanted the petting five minutes ago, but now the repetitive motion can be annoying.
If your cat asks for attention, keep the stroking intermittent to avoid rubbing the same spot over and over again. Many times when you stop petting, your cat will look back up at you; this is a good indicator that she is ready for
another stroke or two.
Sick Cats May Bite And Purr More Than Usual
You should pay attention when your cat suddenly acts strange. Cats are skilled at hiding pain or discomfort when not feeling well or suffering from an injury. You might not clearly see the evidence, but their behavior can indicate that something might be wrong.
Like I mentioned earlier, cats purr to self-soothe or promote healing, so if your cat is purring and you think they are subtly asking for attention and you reach out to pet them, you might get a bite for your trouble. Sick or injured cats will be irritable and will lash out because they prefer not to be touched during this time.
If this is not something your cat does typically, it might mean that your cat is injured or ill. The most common sign that cats are unwell is when they refuse to eat or drink water, so that’s something to keep an eye out for.
Cats can suffer from many illnesses, and often owners only realize this when things have already progressed to a point where veterinary care is needed.
The ASPCA has a list of common diseases in cats that you should be aware of and prevent wherever possible.
Cancer
Diabetes
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus
Feline Leukemia Virus
Heartworm
High-Rise Syndrome
Rabies
Ringworm
Upper Respiratory Infections
Gastrointestinal illnesses
Should You Teach Your Cat To Stop Biting?
Now that we understand more about why cats purr and then bite, we must consider discouraging the behavior. When the bite is playful or just a nip with no real aggression behind it, you may not need or want to stop the biting if it doesn’t do any
harm. Naturally, it depends on the type of relationship you have with your cat.
However, when things are getting out of hand and your cat bites and scratch to cause harm and for no good reason, you’ll have to make a plan to get those pointy chompers under control as soon as possible.
Health Risks Associated With Cat Bites
Bites from cats can cause infection due to the bacteria present in their mouths, says Healthline. This is especially true for stray cats that aren’t vaccinated, but even bites from your pet bites can possibly cause some trouble.
Cat bites can carry and transmit infectious diseases, such as:
Pasteurella multocida
Cat scratch disease
Rabies
Tetanus
When you think the wound from a cat bite might be infected, it is a good idea to head to the doctor for treatment.
Some common signs of infection are:
Swelling or inflammation
Redness
Warmth
Pus leaking from the wound
Fever
Pain
Apart from the health risks associated with cat bites, another reason to discourage the behavior is the injuries they may cause to guests or small children. Cats will protect themselves when they feel they might be in danger.
Teach your cat not to bite to avoid having to lock your cat in a room when people visit because there is a possibility that your cat might bite; this will only cause unnecessary stress to both owner and cat.
How To Teach Your Cat That Biting is Bad
Felines aren’t exactly known for being the most trainable pets, and getting them to sit on command has a fifty/fifty chance of working out. (Actually, I’m surprised it’s that high.)
However, when specific rules are applied from a young age, you might eliminate unwanted behavior.
- Be consistent. Don’tt allow the behavior when you are in the mood to play but
discourage it when you don’t feel like playing. - Be prepared. if your kitten bites you while playing, replace the chosen body
part with a toy and do this every time. - Be strict. When the fierce little guy doesn’t seem to get the picture, but the kitten in a room for just a couple of minutes to calm down, repeat this until they learn that biting equals time-out alone.
- Be calm. Screaming, hitting, or spraying your kitten with water will not help
and, in some cases, can actually make animals more aggressive. Worse, your cat may become scared of you.
You’re likely stuck in the defensive position for older cats already set in their ways,
but you can still apply the guidelines above. It might just take a little longer for them
to catch on. Be patient.
Video – Why Do Cats Bite You?
You can learn more (and get to see some cats in action) in this vide:
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