Carpet Sharks & Their Shark Bites: Biting Cats


Dr. Lauren Demos (DVM) Photo

The data is present and up-to-date in accordance with the most recent veterinarian analysis.


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Hello, I’m Dr. Lauren! Learn my introduction to be taught extra about me and my two adventurous cats, Pancake and Tiller.

Love biters. No, not that sort…cat love biters.

We’ve all in all probability met them: the loveable cat that will get excited, then bites you. Or the one which comes as much as you and will get a pat, and provides you a mild chunk.

Tiller is among the world’s nice love biters. The truth is, it’s much more seemingly you’ll get a love chunk than a pur in the event you work together along with her. Even Pancake will not be immune- just a few licks, after which a great chunk. No marvel Pancake not shares the mattress with Tiller-zilla.

But beware the carpet shark...
However beware the carpet shark…

And Tiller will not be alone.

I’ve met a wide range of various kinds of cats in my work: canine cats, folks cats, cat cats, and biters. Shoppers usually are available in saying: my cat bites me. You may suppose that individuals are speaking a couple of cat that’s an aggressive or worry biter, however that’s not often the case. Most purchasers that speak about their biter cats, discuss with these cats that intermittently trade a pleasant pat for an equally pleasant chunk. They don’t break the pores and skin, they trigger shock greater than ache, and they’re generally cute, once they do it slowly, gently, and simply hold there.

However simply why do cats do that acquainted, light, persistent biting?

To be sincere, nobody actually is aware of! If solely cats may speak… However listed here are just a few theories:

  • Mom/kitten intuition and nursing: It’s potential that this intuition which entails oral stimulation by the kitten on the queen together with the discharge of bonding hormones, extends into biting, in grownup life, and the grownup cat’s human household.
  • Biting is a method that many feline feelings are expressed – not simply anger. Sexual needs, play, social boundaries and extra are all developed by way of biting. Doubtlessly cats are utilizing the biting to speak greater than we notice?
  • The vomeronasal organ: In cats, the roof of their mouth holds the vomeronasal organ, which is ready to detect varied pheromones. Pheromones are chemical signatures that may be “smelled” by this organ (people have all however misplaced theirs). It’s potential that biting places a cat into a greater place to make use of their vomeronasal organ to “flesh out” (pardon the pun) the state of affairs when interacting with acquainted people.
Who will love bite at any opportunity!
Who will love chunk at any alternative!

However, in the long run, we merely don’t know. Tiller will stay the family “carpet shark” and her “shark bites” will stay a enjoyable and endearing hazard at any time when we traverse up or downstairs. Such is the chance of proudly owning cats.

This text is part of Dr. Lauren, Pancake, and Tiller’s sequence.



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