Cats are curious little creatures. Because they can’t talk to us in a language we understand, they perform actions in ways that are meant to communicate with us. Only the cat doesn’t quite understand that we don’t always know what they are trying to tell us. So, when asked the question, why does my cat bite my fingers?
There are going to be several answers where one of them may be correct. That doesn’t mean the rest of the answers on the list are wrong, it just means experts are not completely sure if a cat bites fingers for this reason or a combination of reasons, or if the reason changes in the cat’s mind while he or she are chewing on those fingers.
In this article, we will provide you with several possible reasons that should answer the question Why does my cat lick my hand and then bite me?
Your Cat Is Playing With You
Playtime is something cats love and take very seriously. Sometimes that serious interaction with you turns into biting. The biting is not meant to cause harm. But here’s the thing: domestic cats are honing their hunting skills at most times. It’s an instinctual thing that lives inside of your cat.
This is why you will never be able to remove such instincts from your cat as pouncing, clawing, biting, and any other hunting action that your cat would normally use if in the wild. This does not make biting okay during playtime if you find it uncomfortable. If your cat bites you during play, remove your hand and leave the location of the incident for a few minutes.
This should signal to your cat that biting is not considered a play activity. It also keeps you from getting hurt from a bite that may be a bit harder than a playful one.
Your Cat Enjoys Chewing Things
Cats are a lot like human babies in that they explore things around them by trying to get them inside of their mouths. Cats bite on just about anything to learn about different textures. If your hands happen to be nearby when your cat is in an exploring mood, expect a nibble or two.
You can make this a better experience for both of you by offering your cat a chew toy or a chew stick to chomp on instead of your fingers. This does mean that if your cat is a chewer, you will need to do some cat proofing to ensure your pet doesn’t bite into things that can harm him or her like electrical cords.
Your Cat Is Teething
Again, just like human babies. baby teeth fall out to be replaced by adult teeth. When this happens, the gums may become sore and irritated. The most common remedy that cats will employ to ease the discomfort is to chew on something. Your fingers may end up becoming that item if you are close enough to let them.
To avoid this becoming a habit as your cat grows through teething, offer him or her something safer for them to chew on. You may need to experiment by offering several different things. Some kittens are fond of chewing on cardboard. Be careful that your cat doesn’t end up swallowing any of it.
Other alternatives include rubber chew toys or any other pet toy recommended for teething kittens.
Your Cat Is Stressed Out
When cats are stressed, they will often chew on or even eat non-food items. For some breeds, including Siamese cats, chewing on anything that isn’t edible is the way they prefer to battle anxiety. But what can cause a cat to get stressed? Well, many small things. Or at least, small things to us.
For example, if you move the furniture around it can cause your cat to get stressed. The addition of a new pet can also make a cat anxious. There are ways to reduce the stress that your cat may experience but it may require some consultation with your pet’s vet.
Your Cat Is Overstimulated
Another answer to the question Why does my cat bite my fingers? Can come from overstimulation. But what exactly does that mean? An example is something identified as petting-induced aggression. This is what happens when the nerve endings of your cat get overstimulated from too much petting.
When your cat reaches this point, it is common for the pet to turn on its owner and bite the hand that is doing the petting. It’s just your cat telling you that they have had more than enough attention for the moment. The best way to avoid putting your cat in this position is to carefully observe how your cat behaves when you are petting it.
If you see signs such as an ear twitching or the tail flicking, you should stop petting right away.
Your Cat Is Showing You Affection
Sure, it may not feel quite as affectionate as we would like, but it is not uncommon for some cats to show how much they love their owners with a little nibble here and there. The key to understanding when your cat is saying he or she loves you or is giving you a warning is from observing their body language.
Over time, you will be able to tell the difference. If you are okay with the odd nip, then there should be no problem. However, if your cat starts giving you stronger bites you may wish to remove your hand, leave the area, and put your attention elsewhere. This will tell your cat that aggressive biting is not appropriate.
Your Cat Was Weaned Too Early
Kittens typically wean naturally at around 8 weeks of age. For some kittens that are weaned earlier than that, they will often seek comfort from being taken from their mothers too soon. The way these kittens do this is by replicating the actions of suckling. Soft blankets are useful for this, but there are times when human hands and fingers are substituted.
While this is not unusual, if your kitten uses your fingers or something else that you feel is inappropriate for them to suckle, you will want to curb this activity. Giving your kitten a blanket or soft toy to use instead often works.
Your Cat Smells Food On Your Hand
Alright, we have to add this to our list of answers to the question Why does my cat bite my fingers? Well, if you have been busy preparing dinner for yourself, your family, or for that special someone, don’t be too surprised if your cat finds the scent of your main course to his or her liking.
And why not? Food is an attraction to pretty much every living thing on the planet. The fact that your cat can smell your dinner on your hands is going to be an invitation for some licking and nips. The best way to get past this possibility is to practice thorough hand washing protocols anytime you are cooking.
Why Does My Cat Bite My Fingers?
In conclusion, there are several possible reasons why your cat will lick or bite your hands or fingers. Some of the reasons are far more obvious than others. You just have to spend more time with your cat to get familiar with the behaviors of that feline to help you to unlock the mysteries behind the way your cat treats your hands and digits.
Good luck as you may discover it won’t be as easy as it sounds. However, the time spent trying to figure out your cat will help the both of you to bond closer together, which is a good thing just the same.
