Introduction
Cat bites that break the skin are quite common, with an estimated 400,000 occurring in the United States each year. While many cat bites are minor, they can lead to injuries and cause concern for owners. Cats have sharp teeth that can easily puncture human skin when they bite, allowing bacteria from their mouth to enter the wound. Though cat bites tend to be small, they carry a high risk of infection. Understanding why cats bite and how to prevent it can help owners avoid these troublesome wounds.
There are several main reasons that cats will bite humans hard enough to break skin. These include play biting that goes too far, fear/defensive biting when scared, accidental bites when overstimulated, aggression, and predatory behavior. By learning more about the causes and context of harder cat bites, owners can better protect both their cats and themselves.
Aggressive vs Defensive Biting
Cats can bite for different reasons, which typically fall under two main categories – aggressive biting and defensive biting:
Aggressive Biting
Aggressive biting stems from a cat’s predatory instincts and can occur during play or when a cat is frustrated. Common causes include:
- Play aggression – Cats like to mimic hunting behaviors by stalking, chasing, and pouncing. Biting is part of this play sequence. Kittens especially tend to bite while playing.
- Overstimulation – Petting a sensitive area too long like the belly or back can overstimulate a cat, causing them to bite.
- Frustration or anger – An annoyed cat may bite to communicate “enough” or “back off”.
- Predation – Cats have a strong prey drive and may bite hands/feet if triggered.
Defensive Biting
Defensive biting occurs when a cat feels threatened and bites in self-defense. Common triggers include:
- Fear – Being approached suddenly by strangers or loud noises can scare a cat into biting.
- Pain – Biting often occurs when restraining or touching a cat in pain.
- Surprise – An unsuspecting cat who gets startled may instinctively bite.
Understanding the motivation behind cat bites provides insight into prevention and treatment. Aggressive biters need behavioral modification, while fearful defensive biters require patience, conditioning, and building trust over time (source).
Medical Concerns
Cat bites carry a high risk of infection compared to other animal bites. Studies show that infection occurs in 30-50% of cat bites [1]. This is due to the sharp, thin teeth of cats which can deposit bacteria deep into the skin and tissue. The most common bacteria found in cat bites are Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus species, both of which can lead to serious infection if left untreated.
Signs of infection to watch for include redness, swelling, pus, increasing pain, fever, and red streaks. Infection can develop rapidly within 24 hours after a cat bite. Seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms occur, as intravenous antibiotics are usually required to treat cat bite infections. The longer the wound goes without treatment, the higher the risk of complications like joint or bone infections, blood infections, and permanent damage to the tendons or nerves [2].
Bite Inhibition
Bite inhibition refers to a cat’s ability to control the force of its bite, avoiding the use of full force and pressure when biting. Well-socialized cats learn bite inhibition during the kitten and juvenile phases through interactions with littermates and during play.
When kittens play roughly, their littermates will cry out in pain, teaching the biter to be more gentle. This feedback allows cats to develop a “soft mouth” and inhibit the force of their bites when interacting with people. Even when annoyed, cats with good bite inhibition will often bite gently as a warning, without breaking skin.
However, cats do not have infinite control over their bite force. High arousal, fear, pain, or frustration can cause a cat to bite down fully in self-defense or as a warning. Additionally, medical conditions affecting nerves, muscles or joints may prevent a cat from controlling its bite force.
Preventing Bites
Cats may bite while being petted if they get overstimulated. Pay attention to your cat’s body language and stop petting if they seem agitated. Offer treats to create positive associations. Redirect playful biting by giving them appropriate toys instead of hands or feet. Use deterrents like a water spray bottle or compressed air can to discourage biting during play. Spray your cat with a few quick bursts of water when they bite, then immediately give them a toy so they learn toys are for biting instead.
According to the ASPCA, “Redirect the aggression onto a toy – offer something the cat can grab onto and bite that isn’t a part of your body. Place toys around the house so you can easily reach for one when the cat is in a playful mood.” Praise and give treats when they redirect biting onto toys.
Stopping an Attack
If your cat is actively attacking you, the first priority is to stop the attack safely and calmly. Here are some techniques to stop a cat attack:
- Remain calm and do not shout or yell. Loud noises can further stress the cat. Speak in a soothing tone and avoid direct eye contact, which can seem challenging to the cat.
- Create a barrier between you and the cat. Use a blanket, towel, book, or other object. This can distract and redirect the cat’s aggression.
- Give the cat an escape route so it can retreat and calm down.
- Distract the cat with a loud noise like clapping your hands or with a toy. This shifts their focus away from you.
- Use a squirt bottle or spray bottle with water to interrupt and stop the attack.
- Carefully confine the cat to another room or carrier to separate it from you.
It’s important not to physically punish the cat, as this can increase aggression. Remain calm, do not corner the cat, and safely create distance until the attack ceases. For ongoing issues with aggression, behavior modification is recommended.
Bite Wound Care
Proper first aid is important for cat bite wounds to avoid infection. As soon as possible after the bite, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 5 minutes under running water from a faucet (1). Don’t scrub the wound as this can damage tissue. After cleaning, apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a clean bandage (2).
See your doctor right away, even for minor bites, as cat bites have a high risk of infection. Cat teeth are sharp and puncture deep into skin allowing bacteria to penetrate (1). Your doctor will assess the wound, may prescribe antibiotics, and provide further wound care instructions.
After a bite, watch for signs of infection including increasing pain, swelling, redness, warmth at the site, red streaks, drainage of pus, or fever. Seek prompt medical care if infection develops (2). To aid healing, keep the wound bandaged and change bandages daily. Apply antibiotic ointment per doctor’s orders. Take prescribed antibiotics until completed. Avoid scrubbing or soaking the wound as this can disturb healing.
Veterinary care is required for deep puncture wounds, bites to the hand or face, wounds requiring stitching, and any bite showing signs of infection. Children, elderly, pregnant women, those with chronic diseases, or immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of complications and require medical evaluation (1).
Citations:
(1) https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/wounds-cat-bite-injuries-to-humans
(2) https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=treatment-for-dog-and-cat-bites-and-scratches-90-P01897
Behavior Modification
If your cat is exhibiting aggressive biting behavior, it’s important to address the underlying cause through training and environmental changes. Consult with your veterinarian to rule out medical causes. They may refer you to a certified cat behaviorist who can observe your cat’s behaviors and design an individualized modification plan.
Some common tips for modifying biting behavior include:
- Use positive reinforcement to reward calm or gentle behavior
- Never punish or scold for biting, as this can make it worse
- Provide interactive playtime to satisfy their hunting instincts
- Offer lots of appropriate scratching posts, cat trees, and toys
- Consider synthetic pheromone products to reduce anxiety
- Slowly introduce new people so your cat feels comfortable
- Keep the litter box extremely clean to avoid irritation
- Use calming treats before handling to relax your cat
With professional guidance, consistency, and making your cat’s environment as stress-free as possible, biting issues can often be resolved. But seek help promptly, as the longer the behavior continues, the harder it will be to change.
When to Rehome
In extreme cases, rehoming may be the safest option for both the cat and its owners. According to PetHelpful, rehoming is recommended if the cat’s aggression is severe and puts people at risk of serious injury. Signs that a cat may be dangerously aggressive include frequent unprovoked attacks, biting down to the bone, and attacking the face or neck.
Keeping an aggressive cat poses risks like infection from bites, permanent disfigurement, and stress from living in a hostile environment. As one Reddit user described, aggressive behavior like “attacking people who walk by and biting people badly enough to need medical attention” may leave euthanasia as the only humane option (source).
If rehoming is needed, contact no-kill cat rescues or sanctuaries, explain the situation in detail, and ask if they can safely accommodate an aggressive cat. Organizations like Save-A-Cat specialize in rehabilitating aggressive cats, but limited space means rehoming is not guaranteed. As a last resort, responsibly surrender the cat to a shelter and inform them the cat is aggressive so they can take proper precautions. Be prepared this may still result in euthanasia if the cat is deemed unsafe.
Summary
In summary, there are several potential reasons why a cat may bite and break skin. The biting could be either aggressive or defensive in nature. It’s important to properly clean and care for any cat bite wound to prevent infection. Going forward, observe your cat’s body language for signs of aggression or fear. Try to minimize situations that trigger biting through proper handling techniques, plenty of positive reinforcement, and by providing a stress-free environment.
If biting persists, consult with a vet or animal behaviorist. Never punish or yell at a cat for biting, as this will only make the behavior worse. While biting can be alarming, it’s often due to stress or fear. With patience and proper care, both you and your cat can overcome this behavior. The key is understanding the root cause and approaching it positively yet firmly to ensure everyone’s continued health and happiness.