Why cats scratch and bite, and what to do
Scratching and biting have clear reasons. How to protect your furniture and your hands without punishment, and when the behaviour means something is wrong.
Scratching isn't bad behaviour. Cats scratch to look after their claws, leave their scent and stretch. Play-biting is part of how kittens learn. The goal isn't to stop it but to redirect it.
Scratching: give a better option
- A tall, heavy scratching post that doesn't wobble, taller than your cat at full stretch, plus a flat scratcher on the floor. Many cats like both.
- Put it near where your cat sleeps and next to the furniture it goes for: cats scratch right after waking.
- Praise or treat your cat when it uses the post, and try a little catnip on it.
- Cover the sofa for now with double-sided tape or a throw until the post becomes the habit.
- Trim the claw tips every few weeks. Ask your vet or groomer to show you how first.
Biting in play
- Kittens learn their limits from their littermates. Separated early, they need you to teach them.
- Never play with your hands or feet. Use a wand toy with a string or feather, so hands aren't prey.
- If it bites, stop playing at once and step away. Don't hit or shout: it scares your cat or turns it into a game.
- Play hard twice a day until it's tired. Bored cats bite more.
"She was happy, then she bit me"
Many cats have a limit for petting and bite when you pass it. Watch for:
- a tail flicking or thumping;
- ears turning back or sideways;
- skin twitching along the back;
- purring stops and she stares at your hand.
Stop at the first sign. Stroke the head and cheeks, not the belly.
Biting from fear or stress
- A cat that hides, puffs up or hisses is scared. Leave it alone and give it a place to hide.
- A cat that sees another cat through the window may lash out at the nearest person. Let it calm down alone in a room.
When it's medical
If a calm cat suddenly turns aggressive, or bites when you touch one spot, it may be in pain. Take it to the vet.
If you get bitten
Wash the bite well with soap and water. Cat bites can get infected quickly, so see a doctor if it's deep, red or swollen. If the cat isn't yours or isn't vaccinated against rabies, see a doctor the same day.