Why Cats Bite And Scratch
Cat bites can be dangerous if not taken care of properly.
Why cats bite and scratch. If you are going through this period try to meet this need with toys that it can bite and relieve tooth itching. Cat owners wonder why cats bite themselves and scratch themselves for reasons and no reason. Up to 75 percent of cat bites introduce harmful bacteria into the body including staphylococcus streptococcus and pasteurella species. Cat scratch fever which comes from bartonella henselae bacteria may also be transmitted via cat bite.
While some cats love to be petted for hours on end sometimes a cat becomes overstimulated for one reason or another and want to opt out of the petting session but don t know how to tell you when to stop. Why do cats bite and scratch. Large pupils don t always mean that a cat will bite or scratch but it does mean that the cat is full of energy whereas a calm cat will have thin pupils. Occasionally though scratching and biting can be a sign that your kitten is frightened angry or in pain.
In most cases kittens scratch and bite in play. When this time has. If left untreated or not given proper first aid care cat bites can lead to infection cat scratch fever or in rare cases rabies. There are two basic kinds of biting and scratching behaviors in cats and both of them are often caused by our own human failings.
Just like babies cats have a period of pouring milk teeth. This is how they learn to socialize with their siblings test boundaries and just have fun. A bite scratch or even the saliva of an infected cat can pass it along. This is the period when cat bites are on the ceiling.
Aggressive biting often happens during a petting session when the human companion either doesn t understand or ignores the cat s body language. Click on another answer to find the right one. Something startles the cat and she has the impression that the person or pet nearest her is responsible. Hands joints and tendons are at greatest risk people can also contract cat scratch fever also called cat scratch disease csd.
Cats are actually very predictable creatures and biting and scratching are cause and effect behaviors just as most other undesirable behaviors. Sometimes serious biting and scratching is the result of miscommunication. Boredom anxiety or compulsive disorder. If a cat bites you see a doctor as soon as possible.
Experts offer many reasons for cats to bite or scratch. Why do kittens scratch and bite. This comes from cats infected with bartonella henselae bacteria from flea bites blood transfusions or fighting with other infected cats. Other times however there really is something physically wrong with the cat that causes her to actually attack without cause or warning.