Biting During Playtime
Cats often bite and scratch during playtime because they are trying to express their natural hunting instincts.
Protect your pet with insurance. Cover accidents, illnesses, and more. Compare Plans with Petplace
Why cats bite during playtime
Cats often bite and scratch during playtime because they are trying to express their natural hunting instincts.
How to make playtime more enjoyable for you and your cat
• Redirect their biting. Whenever your cat bites, or even scratches, immediately redirect them to a toy. This will give them the opportunity to get out their play aggression in a more desirable way. You may need to experiment with the toys that do/do not grab your cat’s attention.
• Lots of structured playtime. Your cat needs to burn energy! Games that help encourage stalking/hunting are great for this. Try to schedule 15 minute play sessions (3 x per day), especially in the evening - a cat’s most active time! Invest in toys like wands, toy mice, ping pong balls, and of course a cardboard box. When using a wand, for example, try to keep the end out of reach throughout the session but eventually let them catch it. We don't want them to get frustrated and instead know that the reward of catching the wand will come!
• Disengage if biting occurs. If they start to nip or bite, immediately disengage.
• Reward good behavior. Whenever your cat is calm, plays without trying to nip your hands, be sure to reward their behavior! Depending on what your cat finds rewarding, this could mean a treat, head scratch, or more playing. We want them to make the connection: when I play nice, good things happen!
• Avoid overstimulation and try to keep everyone in your house as calm as possible when interacting with your cat. You can also promote a calm environment by playing soft music throughout your home.