My Kitten Bit Me!

[eli1126]

Tonight I was petting Belle and she was crawling up my chest to get to my shoulders or so I thought when she bit me on the neck! She broke skin too! Both kittens have nibbled on our fingers while we were petting them before, not biting down, but rather in an affectionate way...this hurts still and I can't put her in time out so what should I do? Is this a behavior? I mean she bit hard enough to break skin so it wasn't a love nibble...Help!

Beth

[Reenie]

My cat did this to me once... I never did figure out why. I used to pick him up all of the time, but after he did that, I didn't pick him up at all for about two weeks (don't worry, I still rubbed his back and head :) ). It hasn't happened again.

Sorry that happened to you.

[MLA]

Is she still a kitten? If so, maybe she meant it as a love bite but bit too hard? Kitten's teeth are super-sharp and can pretty easily pierce skin.

[houseblend]

My cat will try to bite me when she's mad at me....but it usually starts by chasing me when I'm walking. It could be that your kitty is young enough to not know how hard she is biting. If she does it again, it might help to let out a loud squeal - a noise she can understand that means she hurt you.

[tlew12778]

I say "No!" in a really firm deep voice when they do this (although mine don't really do this ever... just to play and then it's light).

Could it be that she is losing her kitten teeth? I don't remember how old yours are... but I think they lose them around 6 months.

[fuzzy]

Some cats do that. They get really snuggly and close and then bite. I've read a lot on the subject (my cat-who-still-lives-with-my-parents was notorious for this) and have heard a lot of different opinions on the matter.

I think saying "NO" and then putting them down (i.e., off you lap or whatever) probably helps some.

But a lot of people sau that this is just one of those behaviors that certain cats "just do." I've tried everything with my parents/my cat and there's nothing that helps, significantly at least. He still bites. It more about avoiding the situation now by watching for his cues. I pet him and cuddle with him, but when his tail starts to twitch rapidly, I immediately remove him for my lap/the couch/whatever.

Be sure to take care of the bite wound. I've never had any problems with my cats bites, but grouchy cat bit my mom and she ended up with a nasty infection.

[eli1126]

Thanks! Belle is 4 months and she is getting her adult teeth as of last vet visit. I was so shocked becasue she has never done this before, but I think I handled it ok :confused: I can't remeber because I was so shocked! She knew that she hurt me becasue Belle is usually my snuggly kitten, but after she stayed away from me until this morning. I know that she wasn't being mean because she was snuggling with me purring away and I was petting her when she did it so I really think she wanted to give me a love nibble..although I would prefer she hadn't! I cleaned the bite with hydrogen peroxide is there something better I should use?

Beth

[fuzzy]

Nope, hydrogen peroxide is good! Just keep an eye on it. ;)

Oh, if she stayed away from you, then she probably *did* feel bad. See, the cat I spoke of earlier will get all snuggly and purry and then will bite...and then bitee lunge at you to bite again. He really isn't apologetic at all!

[eli1126]

Nope, hydrogen peroxide is good! Just keep an eye on it. ;)

Oh, if she stayed away from you, then she probably *did* feel bad. See, the cat I spoke of earlier will get all snuggly and purry and then will bite...and then bitee lunge at you to bite again. He really isn't apologetic at all!

Yikes! I hope I don't have a biter on my hands!!!

Beth

[steviem]

Our lovely 2 yr old kitty named Lucky is a biter :o He has been, ever since he was a kitten. I had hoped he would grow out of it, but so far, he hasn't.

Similar to what Fuzzy said, he likes to bite when he gets snuggly with DH and I. He loves to snuggle, but only when he is in the mood- he hates to be forced.

We like to snuggle at night but after a few minutes, he gets a certain "look" in his eyes, and it usually means trouble! He bites then runs to the end of the bed and twitches his tail. I'd like to think he feels bad for what he has done, but I don't think it's the case!

My other kitty Biscuit, never, ever bites. He doesn't even use his claws- just the pads on his paws if you pet his belly... he hates when we touch his belly. He is very gentle and sweet.

Gosh- now I feel bad for making Lucky sound like a mean kitty... he really is a nice little guy... just likes to bite :D

[katiadarling]

Some cats get very over-stimulated easily. They like being petted but can only take so much, so it's important to watch their cues and put them down when they start to get agitated.

As a side note, cats have very bacteria filled mouths and their bites get infected easily. I work at a humane society and if we ever get bitten by a cat we get put on a course of anti-biotics. So, please do watch it carefully and get it treated at any sign of infection. We have a vet who got a little scratch on her wrist and almost lost her arm because of infection. (Kitten mouths aren't much cleaner than adult cats) Just a little heads up.