Can I Bite My Cat Back – What You Should Know!

Cats are known for giving love bites, and it’s a way for them to show their affection. However, if your cat has progressed past fiesty and into a bad mood, they may bite at you to give you a warning. This leaves some pet owners debating if biting their cat back can have the same effect. Either way, these bites can come as quite a shock and might have you wondering: can I bite my cat back? 

Generally, you should not bite your cat back. While biting your cat can be a bonding technique, most cats will not know how to interpret it. Biting your cat can come across aggressively and may make them fear or attack you in response.

While we do not recommend biting your cat, we suppose there may be some of you reading this article after already biting your cat back. Let us take a look at the various aspects and consequences of biting your cat to see where we can go from here. 

Pros Of Biting Your Cat Back

Believe it or not, there are some pros to biting your cat back. As long as it is with a purpose, it can be a communication tool for you.

Catch your cat off guard

Now you have the upper hand

It keeps the game going

You two will spend more quality time playing together.

Teaches them who’s in charge

Your cat will quickly be reminded not to bite the hand that feeds them.

Helps you bond

You and your cat will be so much closer once you share the bond of biting each other.

Teaches them how to play with others

Your cat will learn how to roughhouse with other pets you have or want to adopt

Cons Of Biting Your Cat Back

And then there are cons to biting your cat back, quite a few!

Affects trust

Your cat might become a little wary of you after being bitten.

Could hurt your cat

You might accidentally bite too hard and injure your cat.

Teaches them biting is allowed

Your cat may start biting more once they learn that you do it too.

Makes them angry

Especially if your cat is already upset, it could aggravate them more and lead to them swatting at you.

Biting your guests

Your cat might associate biting with people and start to bite anyone you invite over.

What Happens If You Bite Your Cat?

In general, nothing will happen if you bite your cat. Most cats will look at you funny and move on.

There are a few things that could happen depending on your cat’s personality. They may think a bite from you is a fun game, and they will want to continue playing.

Your cat could be convinced that you like biting and will bite you more. If they are feeling grouchy and you bite them, they might run away and hide from you. They could even swat at you and hiss to tell you to leave them alone. However, most cats really will look at you like you’re crazy and go about their day.

Does Biting A Cat’s Ear Show Dominance

Biting your cat’s ear does not show dominance.

Attempting to bite your cat’s ear is an ambitious feat. Even when your cat is laying perfectly still, maybe even sleeping, their ears are staying sensitive to the world around them.

Cats have very sensitive ears with heightened hearing ability to stay better informed of their surroundings. As you creep up closer to your cat for a bite, they are going to wake up right away and catch you off guard.

If you manage to get a bite of their ear, they will most likely clean their ear with their paw and go right back to sleep.

What Should I Do If My Cat Bites Me

If your cat bites you and you are wounded, it is essential to clean the area and seek medical attention if necessary immediately.

Cat’s can carry bacteria in their mouths and on their teeth, so if they bite you hard enough, you may experience a rash or swelling at the source of the bite.

If you have an allergy to cats, you may even experience hives popping up. It is essential to clean the area with soap and water thoroughly. Once the area is clean, apply pressure to stop any bleeding and apply a clean bandage. 

If you are not hurt by your cat’s bite but still want to get them to stop, make sure your emotional reaction to the bite is big and startles them.

Cats learn how hard they can bite each other from their littermates; when kittens bite each other, one will let out a high-pitched yelp to let the others know that it was hurt. Cats taken from their litters too soon may not have learned how hard to bite, and it is up to you to teach them.

Next time they bite you, let out a short, loud yelp, so they know they hurt you. You can even reprimand them in a stern tone to tell them what they did was wrong. Then make sure to continue playing with them so they can demonstrate what they have learned.

How Do I Show Dominance Over My Cat

If you’ve decided to avoid biting your cat back, you may be wondering how to show your cat who’s the boss of the house. Here are eight ways to show dominance over your cat:

Please don’t allow them into your lap unless you invite them

This will begin to teach them personal space. It also puts you in charge of when you and your cat are in contact with each other.

Lots of playtime

You want your cat to associate you with playtime; this will remind them that they are happy and having fun when you’re around. They’ll start to understand that if they want to have fun playtime with you, they’ll have to follow your rules.

Avoid aggressive situations

Take note of the times your cat gets aggressive, and do what you can to avoid these times. For example, if your cat bites everyone you invite over, keep them in a separate room while you host guests.

Feed them at regular times

Stay consistent with what time you feed your cat so they will learn the schedule as well. They’ll understand that you’re in charge because you provide them with food and decide when it’s time to eat.

Train them to do simple tasks

Cats are quick learners; if you ring a bell every time you feed them, they will soon learn that the bell means food is ready. Then, every time you ring the bell, your cat should show up to their dish ready to eat. The more commands they learn from you, the more dominance you have. 

Never respond to their demands

Cats can be very vocal creatures and will learn that running around your house yelling is a useful behavior if you give them what they’re looking for each time. Especially with food, make sure to put your foot down and stick with your scheduled feeding times so that you stay in control.

Time Out

Isolating your cat for a time out will help them to understand when they’re in trouble. Have a dedicated space for this without toys around, so they have a place to think about what they’ve done.

Medication

If your cat is continuing to be aggressive and disobedient, there are a handful of options when it comes to medication. It may help to give them something to help soothe them regularly so that you can maintain a calm atmosphere.

Things To consider

All cats are different. Not every trick will work with every cat; it’s about figuring out how your cat learns and teaching them in a way they will understand.

Your schedule and time spent with your cat also affect how they will respond to you. It’s vital to form a strong bond with your cat so that you two may have a cohesive, happy environment.