Why Does My Cat Bite My Hair – Tips To Stop It!

If you’re a cat owner with shoulder-length or longer hair, you might have run into your cat biting on your hair. Pulling your hair away from your cat’s paws usually only makes him more adamant that he will chew on your hair too! Every time this happens, you ask yourself, why does my cat bite my hair?

Your cat bites your hair to show its affection. When your cat bites your hair, he is attempting to clean you, mimicking what they will do to other cats. Relieving stress, transferring their scent, and grooming are all reasons why cats may bite your hair.

Hair biting generally has positive meanings for your cat, so you shouldn’t worry too much. The behavior may be annoying, but your cat shows you that he cares about you in his feline way. Keep on reading to learn more about why cats choose to chew on and bite hair.

Reasons Cats Bite Your Hair

Like many of the things your cat does, there is no one reason behind it. Depending on your cat’s personality, your cat biting your hair could mean several different things, though most are positive. 

Your Cat Is Showing Affection

It sounds like an easy answer, but your cat could be showing you affection when he’s biting and chewing on your chair. It’s not your choice of affection, but your cat is doing what he thinks is best for you. 

Your Cat Is Trying To Clean You Like Another Cat

Although most humans would not trade their shampoo for their cat’s tongue, your cat is doing his best by trying to clean you. Your cat doesn’t see you as his human, but as another cat, so he’s doing for you what he would do for any other cat. 

Your Cat Is Destressing 

Chewing on your hair could be a comfortable action for your cat. It’s your cat’s way of destressing after a triggering event or a long day of you being away. 

Your Cat Is Looking For Fleas 

Much like cleaning, your cat is trying to help you by searching for fleas. An adult cat around a kitten might nibble along the kitten’s fur to search for any fleas or bugs that may be hiding. 

Your Cat Is Feeling Playful

A chomp on your chair could mean that your cat is feeling playful. Your long hair is a lot like your cat’s favorite toy. Once you start shaking your head back and forth while your cat is attacking, your hair becomes an even better toy! 

Why Does My Cat Bite And Pull My Hair

Your cat bites and pulls on your hair when he is trying to play.

If you have long hair or curly hair of any length, then you’ve probably dealt with your cat thinking your hair is the best string in the world to play with it. 

As annoying as it may be to have your cat eating your hair, your cat tries to get some of his energy out. If you notice that your cat starts to play with your hair when he is bored, then that is a great time to have a play session.

A bored cat is likely to get into no good, and those sharp nails near your face certainly aren’t comforting! 

Why Does My Cat Chew On My Hair

Your cat chews on your hair because it could be a way that your cat comforts itself.

Non-cat owners seem to think that cats are independent that they dislike being around people. That isn’t always the case. It is rarely the case that cats don’t like to be around anyone.

If your cat is feeling particularly stressed or upset, he may come to you. When you snuggle your cat to your chest, he may start to chew on your hair. 

This hair chewing habit can be how your cat finds comfort, much like how a baby chews on his hands or feet. 

Why Does My Cat Bite My Hair When I’m Sleeping

Your cat doesn’t differentiate the difference between you being awake or sleeping.

There is no one reason why cats like to bite your hair when you’re trying to get your rest.

Your cat might be trying to see if you are still breathing. If he knows that playing with your hair is an excellent way to wake you up, then he may do that to get you to wake up. 

Cats are also more active. This means that your cat is likely to have some fun with your hair during your prime sleeping time. 

Playing with your hair at night means that your cat can entertain himself while not leaving your side. 

Why Does My Cat Bite My Hair After I Shower

As strange as it may sound, your cat may like the smell of your hair or body after you get out of the shower.

Cats can enjoy the scent of your body wash or your shampoo. Cats especially like to smell floral scents or warm scents, like vanilla or sugar.

I know this from experience. My mom’s cat waits for her to get finished in the shower and will start to chew on her hair as soon as she smells it. Her cat likes the smell, and for cats, all good scents are edible! 

How Do I Stop My Cat From Eating My Hair

Since biting hair is often a sign of affection, it is difficult to stop your cat from eating your hair. 

If you don’t want your cat to chew on or eat your hair, try some of these tips:

• Keep your hair pulled back when you’re snuggling with your cat. You will also need to do this if you sleep with your cat.
• Pull your cat away when he tries to eat your hair.
• Redirect your cat’s attention when he goes to chew on your hair. You can do this with his favorite toy. 

Unfortunately, there’s no quick way to stop your cat from eating your hair. If something works, you will need to keep doing it to teach your cats.

I don’t need to tell you that cats are more stubborn than dogs! 

Things To Consider

We spent this article talking about why your cat bites on your hair. While you generally should not see this as aggressive behavior, you also need to think about your hair that your cat is chewing on.

You may use hair products to style your hair every day. Here are some standard products that you may use without even thinking about it:

• Serums
• Heat protectants
• Hairspray
• Hair gel

Now, what does this all have to do with your cat?

Well, if your cat is chewing on your hair, it could mean that your cat is also ingesting hair products, like hairspray and hair gel. You wash your shampoo out, but you may have a leave-in conditioner in your curly hair.

If your cat bites your hair only once in a while, this should not be an issue. After all, you probably haven’t put enough hairspray in your hair for it to be toxic since the 1980s.

If your cat is a constant hair-biter, then you might start to think about other options. You may either have to teach your cat not to chew on your hair or avoid using products in your hair. Ultimately, that choice is going to be one that you have to make. 

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t worry if your cat gets a taste of the hair product on your hair. One instance won’t hurt your cat, but if it happens more often, your cat could end up ingesting quite a bit of these harsh chemicals. After a time, it could have adverse effects on your cat’s body.

This may be one thing you never thought about, but you should start to keep it in mind if you have a loving cat that likes to chew and bite your hair.