Dogs
By Langley Cornwell
Our cat is a great hunter as well as an affectionate family man. As an avid animal lover, it’s hard to appreciate it when he proudly presents a wounded or dead “gift” to me and then waits expectantly for my approval. I do my best, and also make sure that he has a loud ringing bell on his collar – just to level the playing field.
Many times when we are lounging on the sofa and our sweet cat is resting on my lap, I’ll mindlessly start stroking between his ears. Sometimes he purrs so loudly and contently that I can’t hear the television. We are both enjoying relaxation time. Then, without warning he’ll suddenly swat at me or quickly twist and nip at my hand. I always know he doesn’t mean to hurt me but I’m still perplexed by his actions. I mean, if we are both completely kicked back, why would he want to change the mood so abruptly?
Apparently there is a direct correlation between high prey instincts and rough play. Cats that have a very high play-prey instinct can get excited quickly and will sometimes gently attack your hands, fingers, feet, legs, etc.
Kittens and adolescent cats often engage in energetic, rough play; feline play consists of mock aggression which helps young cats hone their physical coordination and their social skills. Cats have a good time stalking, chasing, scratching, pouncing and biting one another.
As I suspected, when cats with a high play-prey instinct get overexcited during petting time and start to nibble at your fingers and hands, the cat is not being aggressive. In fact, some people refer to these nibbles and nips as love bites.
Just like when your cat presents you with the spoils of his hunting and you pretend not to mind, this rough yet affectionate demonstration from your cat should not be corrected because it will confuse him.
If you’re not supposed to correct him, what are you supposed to do? Because even if these rough outbursts are considered love bites by the cat, they are not all that enjoyable for the human involved. And if the cat thinks he is showing affection, how does the human avoid the situation without completely confusing the cat?
Experts offer several suggestions:
If your cat becomes over-stimulated during play, abruptly stop all interaction with him.
Simply stop petting him and walk away. Alternatively, if your cat aggressively begins to nip at your hands as you pet him, give him a toy to chew on. This will teach your cat what is okay to chew on and what is not.
If your cat is the type that hides under the sofa and grabs at your feet when you sit down or ambushes your ankles or legs as you walk by, try to have plenty of toys on hand and toss one near him to redirect his attention. Your goal is to get the cat to focus on chasing the toys instead of your legs and feet.
Make sure not to initiate rough play with your cat. Never turn peaceful bonding into a lighthearted wrestling match.
It’s also important to offer praise and tasty rewards such as FELIDAE TidNips cat treats for good behavior.
I’m curious, is your cat always docile or does he or she give you the occasional love bite? If you sometimes get ambushed, how do you avoid rough play?
Top photo by Pat Pilon
Bottom photo by Ewen Roberts
Read more articles by Langley Cornwell
- Teaching Pet Safety Rules To Kids
By Langley Cornwell The dogs we share our lives with now have never been around young children. The one time that my sister-in-law brought her grandchild to our home, our dogs cowered in the corner of our bedroom during their entire visit. If we are out...
- Kids & Pets – Tips For Preventing Dog Bites
By Suzanne Alicie As a responsible pet owner, I have to be diligent in making sure that my dog Bear doesn’t bite someone. When we go for a walk most adults know how to approach a strange dog, or at least know better than to run up squealing and jumping...
- Why Do Dogs And Cats Chase Their Tails?
By Linda Cole I don't know many pet owners who haven't watched their dog or cat chase their tail, especially if they adopted the pet as a puppy or kitten. However, tail chasing isn't a normal activity for adult dogs or cats and if they chase...
- Why Does My Cat Do That?
By Ruthie Bently Anyone who’s ever shared their life with a cat has spent time watching them. Cats are fascinating creatures, and when an owner takes the time to watch them they get a better insight into the mind, instincts, likes and dislikes of their...
- How To Stop Puppy Biting Before It's A Problem
By Linda Cole Most puppies gnaw, chew and bite everything in sight, including our fingers, hands and toes. They have an unlimited supply of energy when they are awake, with a playful spirit that only adds to their cuteness. Puppy biting may seem innocent...
Dogs
Why Does My Cat Play Rough?
Our cat is a great hunter as well as an affectionate family man. As an avid animal lover, it’s hard to appreciate it when he proudly presents a wounded or dead “gift” to me and then waits expectantly for my approval. I do my best, and also make sure that he has a loud ringing bell on his collar – just to level the playing field.
Many times when we are lounging on the sofa and our sweet cat is resting on my lap, I’ll mindlessly start stroking between his ears. Sometimes he purrs so loudly and contently that I can’t hear the television. We are both enjoying relaxation time. Then, without warning he’ll suddenly swat at me or quickly twist and nip at my hand. I always know he doesn’t mean to hurt me but I’m still perplexed by his actions. I mean, if we are both completely kicked back, why would he want to change the mood so abruptly?
Apparently there is a direct correlation between high prey instincts and rough play. Cats that have a very high play-prey instinct can get excited quickly and will sometimes gently attack your hands, fingers, feet, legs, etc.
Kittens and adolescent cats often engage in energetic, rough play; feline play consists of mock aggression which helps young cats hone their physical coordination and their social skills. Cats have a good time stalking, chasing, scratching, pouncing and biting one another.
As I suspected, when cats with a high play-prey instinct get overexcited during petting time and start to nibble at your fingers and hands, the cat is not being aggressive. In fact, some people refer to these nibbles and nips as love bites.
Just like when your cat presents you with the spoils of his hunting and you pretend not to mind, this rough yet affectionate demonstration from your cat should not be corrected because it will confuse him.
If you’re not supposed to correct him, what are you supposed to do? Because even if these rough outbursts are considered love bites by the cat, they are not all that enjoyable for the human involved. And if the cat thinks he is showing affection, how does the human avoid the situation without completely confusing the cat?
Experts offer several suggestions:
If your cat becomes over-stimulated during play, abruptly stop all interaction with him.
Simply stop petting him and walk away. Alternatively, if your cat aggressively begins to nip at your hands as you pet him, give him a toy to chew on. This will teach your cat what is okay to chew on and what is not.
If your cat is the type that hides under the sofa and grabs at your feet when you sit down or ambushes your ankles or legs as you walk by, try to have plenty of toys on hand and toss one near him to redirect his attention. Your goal is to get the cat to focus on chasing the toys instead of your legs and feet.
Make sure not to initiate rough play with your cat. Never turn peaceful bonding into a lighthearted wrestling match.
It’s also important to offer praise and tasty rewards such as FELIDAE TidNips cat treats for good behavior.
I’m curious, is your cat always docile or does he or she give you the occasional love bite? If you sometimes get ambushed, how do you avoid rough play?
Top photo by Pat Pilon
Bottom photo by Ewen Roberts
Read more articles by Langley Cornwell
- Teaching Pet Safety Rules To Kids
By Langley Cornwell The dogs we share our lives with now have never been around young children. The one time that my sister-in-law brought her grandchild to our home, our dogs cowered in the corner of our bedroom during their entire visit. If we are out...
- Kids & Pets – Tips For Preventing Dog Bites
By Suzanne Alicie As a responsible pet owner, I have to be diligent in making sure that my dog Bear doesn’t bite someone. When we go for a walk most adults know how to approach a strange dog, or at least know better than to run up squealing and jumping...
- Why Do Dogs And Cats Chase Their Tails?
By Linda Cole I don't know many pet owners who haven't watched their dog or cat chase their tail, especially if they adopted the pet as a puppy or kitten. However, tail chasing isn't a normal activity for adult dogs or cats and if they chase...
- Why Does My Cat Do That?
By Ruthie Bently Anyone who’s ever shared their life with a cat has spent time watching them. Cats are fascinating creatures, and when an owner takes the time to watch them they get a better insight into the mind, instincts, likes and dislikes of their...
- How To Stop Puppy Biting Before It's A Problem
By Linda Cole Most puppies gnaw, chew and bite everything in sight, including our fingers, hands and toes. They have an unlimited supply of energy when they are awake, with a playful spirit that only adds to their cuteness. Puppy biting may seem innocent...