Why does my cat suddenly bite me hard while I'm petting him?

This could be because Peaches is overstimulated, or because he wants more attention. She may want to try very short sessions of calm petting followed by playtime with an appropriate toy. If he bites playtime stops and he goes somewhere by himself. If he seems overstimulated she should stick to very short gentle petting sessions.

It sounds like Ivan may be getting a bit overstimulated when being pet. This can happen in some cats, and others may also "bite" as a way of showing affection if they weren't taught not to as kittens. Stopping the petting as you are doing is a great thing to do already. You may also want to stop sooner than a bite if you see things such as a tail flicking back and forth, ears going flat, body stiffening, etc as these are all signs he is starting to become overstimulated. Interaction with a toy instead of petting, giving treats, or just petting "safe" areas such as the head or chin may also help you share affection without it getting to the point of biting.

Some cats start biting because they are overstimulated by petting, or are trying to warn you that they have had enough attention. I would stop petting her before you bite her, so you can stop this behavior before it becomes a pattern.

Cats can be odd balls when it comes to being petted, displaying affection and expressing themselves. I’m sure you’ve seen cartoons that portray cats only allowing a certain number of pets on the back or only certain parts of the body being touched. This is not abnormal behavior and it does not indicate that he doesn’t like you. It’s possible Cookie is playing rough with you and this is a game in his mind. It’s also possible he’s irritated and taking it out on you! Look at the ears and the tail. A flicking tail alone often means irritation. Ears laid back can mean getting ready to pounce! Pick up a book about cats and familiarize your self with cat body language so that you can pick up on his signals. I hope this helps to point you in the right direction! Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Cats can bite when they are feeling stressed, ill, or in pain. If Mason's behavior started suddenly it is best to schedule a veterinary exam to make sure there isn't an injury or illness causing him to act out aggressively. If he checks out healthy, then looking for causes of stress such as petting him when he wants to be alone, new people or pets in the house, or even limited access to resources. Making sure Mason has a place to hide and rest away from traffic and noise, access to his own food, water, and litter can all help reduce stress. Pheromone diffusers in shared rooms may also help decrease stress. Finally, playing with a toy, or only petting him when he approaches you may help Mason feel more comfortable with you and reduce biting incidences.

He s so happy that he is petted and loved on that he gets very excited and the biting and swatting is a sign of Uebersprung, ie it is the only way he knows to get rid of the overstimulation. The way to reduce that is to pet him to the point where you notice that he gets excited, ie a tiny flick of the tail, for example, and then stop and give him a chance to come down again. It can take a long time to get him to the point where he will not do the biting or swatting at all, however it does work. I had a tom like that who would even bite my head at night, because he was sooo happy lying next to me, purring for hours. It took about a year before he could be petted and held for a long time before biting. He will need to be adopted out to a home with very experienced cat owners who do not mistake this as viciousness. It basically takes observation skills and the ability to stop petting him in time.

I'd recommend stopping any attention as soon as Lizzie starts to exhibit any biting or pre-biting behavior (like rubbing against your hand). Immediately stand up and walk away if any aggressive play or biting occurs. Withdrawal of social contact with be a powerful learning tool for Lizzie. Also get plenty of new toys and rotate their use so Lizzie has appropriate things to play with and does not get bored. A Feliway Diffuser may be used to help reduce biting behavior and anxiety for Lizzie. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and good luck!