Carpet Sharks & Their Shark Bites: Biting Cats

The data is present and up-to-date in accordance with the newest veterinarian analysis.

Study extra »

Hello, I’m Dr. Lauren! Learn my introduction to be taught extra about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.

Love biters. No, not that sort…cat love biters.

We’ve all most likely met them: the loveable cat that will get excited, then bites you. Or the one which comes as much as you and will get a pat, and provides you a mild chunk.

Tiller is without doubt one of the world’s nice love biters. In actual fact, it’s way more doubtless you’ll get a love chunk than a pur in case you work together along with her. Even Pancake shouldn’t be immune- just a few licks, after which a very good chunk. No marvel Pancake not shares the mattress with Tiller-zilla.

And Tiller shouldn’t be alone.

I’ve met a wide range of several types of cats in my work: dog cats, folks cats, cat cats, and biters. Purchasers typically are available in saying: my cat bites me. You would possibly assume that individuals are speaking a couple of cat that’s an aggressive or worry biter, however that’s not often the case. Most shoppers that discuss their biter cats, seek advice from these cats that intermittently trade a pleasant pat for an equally pleasant chunk. They don’t break the pores and skin, they trigger shock greater than ache, and they’re generally lovely, after they do it slowly, gently, and simply grasp there.

However simply why do cats do that acquainted, light, persistent biting?

To be sincere, nobody actually is aware of! If solely cats may speak… However listed below are just a few theories:

• Mom/kitten intuition and nursing: It’s doable that this intuition which includes oral stimulation by the kitten on the queen together with the discharge of bonding hormones, extends into biting, in grownup life, and the grownup cat’s human household.
• Biting is a means that many feline feelings are expressed – not simply anger. Sexual needs, play, social boundaries and extra are all developed by way of biting. Probably cats are utilizing the biting to speak greater than we understand?
• The vomeronasal organ: In cats, the roof of their mouth holds the vomeronasal organ, which is ready to detect numerous pheromones. Pheromones are chemical signatures that may be “smelled” by this organ (people have all however misplaced theirs). It’s doable that biting places a cat into a greater place to make use of their vomeronasal organ to “flesh out” (pardon the pun) the scenario when interacting with acquainted people.

However, ultimately, we merely don’t know. Tiller will stay the family “carpet shark” and her “shark bites” will stay a enjoyable and endearing hazard each time we traverse up or downstairs. Such is the chance of proudly owning cats.