Perhaps all cat owners know what a ‘cat love bite’ is. It usually occurs during playtime, or cuddle time, when your cat purrs loudly when you pet them and the next thing you know, they are gently nibbling and nipping your hand.
It is one of the many ways cats communicate with their owner, but what do cat love bites exactly mean?
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What is a cat love bite and what does it mean?
A love bite is when your cat starts licking you, and gradually, it turns into gentle nips and nibbles. It can sometimes be painful or uncomfortable as it gets more intense, but it should not break your skin.
According to several cat behaviorists, it is said that love bites are experienced by kittens when their mothers would nibble and nip them during grooming.
Therefore, if your cat is giving you love bites, it is seen as a sign of affection.
What is considered a love bite, and what is not?
Cats bite for various reasons. They may bite due to fear, aggression, or to defend themselves from danger.
On the other hand, they may also give their owners gentle love bites to display affection. However, how do we exactly know that it is a love bite and not a form of aggression?
During cuddling time, you may feel little teeth when your cat is giving you love bites, but it should not break your skin. There should also be the absence of aggressive behaviors, such as hissing and clawing.
In addition, your cat should not use force, and they should also be calm and relaxed. Sometimes, they may also knead your skin, or rub their body against you while giving you love bites.
Meanwhile, it is not a love bite when:
- the bite is significantly painful
- they exhibit aggressive behavior before biting o
- when it feels like they’re angry and are trying to teach you a lesson.
Why is my cat giving me love bites?
There are many reasons behind cat love bites. Below are some of the reasons why they would give one:
Overstimulation. When it comes to sensory details, cats are especially sensitive, which means that they are prone to overstimulation from too much exposure to external stimuli.
When your cat gently bites you while you pet them, it can mean that they want you to stop because they are already overstimulated.
Overstimulation can occur because of the sensitivity of their hair follicles. Too much petting can cause them pain and discomfort, thus the cat will gently nip to tell you that it is time to stop.
This can also come with other signs, such as flicking of their tails, flattening of their ears, tensing of their bodies, twitching of their skin, dilation of their pupils, and walking away from you and lying down.
They are playing around. Another possible reason why your cat would give you love bites while cuddling is because they’re just playing around.
As a cat owner, you may have noticed how cats bite each other during playtime. This is also the time where they test the limit of their strength so that they will know the amount of force they should give in order to not hurt their playmates.
Likewise, your cat may playfully bite you because they treat you as one of them – and it’s not a bad thing!
They seek your comfort. If you have a young cat, there may be times where they are nervous and anxious, thus will need your comfort. If the mother cat is not available, you – their human family, will become their sanctuary.
A young cat, or a kitten, will nip on your skin – a similar act of feeding on its mother, as a way to make themselves calm and comfortable. In rare cases, matured cats may exhibit the same behavior when they get really anxious.
They are marking their territory. Long-time cat owners know very well that felines are extremely territorial creatures. In fact, part of their nature includes warding off intruders from their territory.
If your cat suddenly starts to nibble on your skin after bringing in a new pet, it can mean that they are marking you. It’s their way to spread their smell on your body. In other words, they are letting the other pets know that you’re already taken.
A result of petting-induced aggression. Do you feel frustrated or irritated when someone keeps on touching your back over and over again? This situation can be true for some cats, as well.
Although some cats love to be petted and cuddled, others might not enjoy it. This is where petting-induced aggression comes.
Petting may be pleasant at the beginning, but too much of it can be a frustrating experience which results in “love” bites.
They are cleaning you. Cats are popular for keeping themselves clean. If they recognize an unpleasant scent, they may mistake it for you being filthy. Therefore, they will clean you by licking and giving some gentle love bites.
They are still young. Your cat’s age is a possible reason for love bites. This is especially true for kittens when they are still in the phase of exploring their environment. Kittens are also more energetic and playful, and they may use their mouth to play with you.
As they grow older, cats tend to be more mellow. Nibbling and nipping may stop, although it can still occur at some point.
They want to hold you. Cats are very observant creatures, and they may notice you holding other people. They can absorb this action as well, but since they do not have fingers to grab onto your hand, they will use their mouth instead.
It’s an old habit. Your cat may have learned to bite their mother and their siblings at a young age, and it can manifest even if they are fully matured.
Usually, mother cats will gently nip their kittens for them to feel safe and secured. Kittens may inherit this behavior, and do the same thing as a way to show their affection.
How do I respond to a cat love bite?
After your cat gives you a love bite, it is critical to observe their body language for you to react appropriately.
If the love bite is done along with an expression of discomfort, such as when their tail twitches or when their eyes start dilating, then it is a clear sign that they are overstimulated and you need to stop caressing them.
It is also recommended to observe them while keeping petting time short and sweet. If they start giving love bites after eight strokes, then stop at seven. This way, you are able to prevent overstimulation, and you also get to respect your cat’s tolerance for petting.
You also need to respect their next actions. Some cats will run away from you after giving a love bite, while others will stay. If they stay, refrain from touching them every now and then.
Meanwhile, if the love bite breaks your skin, wash it immediately and observe for any signs of infection. If there are any, seek your doctor’s help immediately.
Conclusion
Cat love bites can mean many things – sometimes it can be a good reason, and other times it can mean that they are uncomfortable.
Either way, they will let us know how they feel, so it is important that we observe even the tiniest detail to understand them better.