r/cats • u/xmorphia • 17h ago
Why the bite? 🙂↔️😆 Video
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u/JohnnyS1lv3rH4nd 17h ago
My cat does this to me, and I’ve also noticed her doing it to herself quite a bit whilst grooming so I’m assuming it’s just a natural part of that process for some cats.
Cat Tax, Friday Beans edition
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u/Broely92 17h ago
I love you I love you I love you I love you fuck you I love you I love you I love you I love yoy
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u/YouAreBadLmao 16h ago
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u/BreathingGirl000 16h ago
This has me dead. The truth of it
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u/mint_o 16h ago
Why are cats like this 😭
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u/yagonnawanna 15h ago
Just land sharks doing what land sharks do
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u/kdjfsk 14h ago edited 11h ago
ive heard they only like grooming each other to a point. they do it to show some love, and will do it as they feel its needed, but it is a chore. if they feel the other cat isnt doing a good enough job grooming itself, thats when they act shitty about it. its a "god damn...you stink. wash your ass mother fucker" moment.
like mommy will happily give her toddler bath time, and its all sweet and cheery. when the kid is 14, has become a mega gamer, and their room reeks of BO, the sentiment becomes a more hostile "jesus christ, turn off the computer and TAKE A SHOWER!"
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u/PupEDog 15h ago
They really don't like being uncomfortable, maybe? Idk cuz it seems like such a quick turn from sleepy to attack... Like the second they become uncomfortable their reflex is to panick. Idk. They're weird.
Actually is probably just evolution. They see an opponent is vulnerable so evolution tells them to attack.
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u/mint_o 15h ago
I feel this way too and it depends so much on the cat! One of mine will vocalize/show signs when she is a bit annoyed so I know to stop. But my boy has a really active happy tail and it’s really hard to see when he is done so the only warning I get is the “not like that” chomp 🤣
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u/Cold_Maximum_9734 15h ago
They haven't been domesticated nearly as long as dogs. In 10,000 years they will be biting a lot less.
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u/theunnameduser86 15h ago
Haha maybe we’re the ones being domesticated
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u/MrsCaptain_America 15h ago
I agree, we are the ones being domesticated to cater to cats. I for one welcome our new furry overlords.
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u/AgitatedAd7265 14h ago
It’s actually been shown that they aren’t domesticated, they have mastered the art of co-existing.
Domesticated implies that they follow orders and recognise humans as their masters. I think they domesticated us 😂
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u/Complex_Winter2930 14h ago
My cat has 'thumbs', so there is a lot to worry about.
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u/mint_o 15h ago
Cats straight up aren’t domesticated they are basically the same as their wild versions 😆🤣
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u/MatureUsername69 14h ago
One of the most common evolutionary features you'll see in domesticated animals is floppy ears, there's been some animals that we've gotten to go from wild to domesticated floppy ears within 25 to 50 years of breeding. Cats are not one of those animals.
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u/imaginary92 16h ago
I have seen this a million time but it never fails to make me laugh lmao it's so true
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u/AhsoPlushy 15h ago
This describes cats living together so perfectly lol my parents have 4 cats and they beat eachother up randomly for seemingly no reason all the time lol
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u/MrsCaptain_America 15h ago
This comic never fails to make me laugh, these are my 2 girls at home, 1 moment they are cuddling, next thing I know they are chasing each other
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u/aljones753000 13h ago
Always reminds me of the scene in Stepbrothers where they try and hug but can’t help start fighting each other 😂
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u/ngifakaur 17h ago
I believe that's called cuteness aggression
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u/mint_o 16h ago
Honestly I think the licking was to get pets and the bite was because no pets were happening!! My kitty chomps me when I don’t pet her fast enough 🫠🙄
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u/Celticlady47 16h ago
I get to see the slow flex of the murder mitten. Slowly, black paw descends towards my face, claws extended until I get a poink, poink, poink from the nails, just enough to almost hurt. I don't know why she has to be so dramatic and does this in slo-mo.
Thankfully, my other darling uses her paws like big velvet cushions to tap me with when she wants pets.
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u/Sarkastik-Bandit 16h ago
"My kitty chomps me when I don't pet her fast enough" - Name of your sextape
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u/Talullah_Belle 16h ago
That's exactly what I say to my boyfriend but my husband doesn't know so please don't tell him.
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u/PatrolPunk 15h ago
Also, I love you but if you die and can’t feed me I will start sustaining myself by eating your face first.
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u/Bouche_Audi_Shyla 17h ago
I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you. I tolerate you.
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u/VisibleOtter 17h ago
Because Cat.
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u/Itsnotrealitsevil 17h ago
He can’t resist his natural temptation to bite
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u/methos3 16h ago
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u/bowie-of-stars 16h ago
:7944:
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u/Ziggyork 15h ago
Excellent username
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u/bowie-of-stars 15h ago
Why, thank you! I see "ziggy" in yours and I see comradery. Have a most lovely day
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u/Ziggyork 13h ago
You as well! My username is a combination of Ziggy Stardust and Thom Yorke. Though I should have included an “e” at the end of it
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u/Forward-Rule-1699 17h ago
It’s a part of the grooming process. Musta had somethin on ya face!!
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u/sleepyeyedphil 16h ago
Yeah, our oldest cat does the “lick, lick, lick… bite, bite, bite” routine when he’s grooming the younger boyos.
Our younger cats LOVE his grooming sessions.
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u/SoSKatan 13h ago
I think it’s instinctive part of grooming. Cats will bite their own fur if it’s rough or hard to get any of the knots out.
However humans skin almost always feels off compared to their own fir. So I think they bite without even realizing what’s going on.
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u/TemporaryBlueberry32 Tortoiseshell 16h ago
Because you are also a cat as far as they are concerned
Cat tax: crossed paw paws
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u/ipitythegabagool 15h ago
The phrasing here is important. They don’t think they’re humans. They think we’re cats. Just big, dumb, hairless ones.
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u/xmorphia 17h ago
Little back story: I found Yuna on the streets when she was just a smol baby, so she never had a mommy who did this to her, so it’s very warming to know from you that she has these mannerisms with me!! 🥹🥹🥹 She is also very sensitive with hands and will fully attack me if I pet her, but kisses me if I give her my face !!
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u/julia_vz 16h ago
she looks like my poppy! who will also attack me majority of the time if i attempt to pet and gives me these love bites as well😂 with winter around she’s been a little more cuddly and actually laying up against me (still not allowed to pet though) got her off of a farm where she was struggling to survive with 5 dogs. not sure if it’s their background or just the type of cat they are but definitely feisty! but it just makes their sweet moments even more precious🥹
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u/mab_nana 14h ago
They remind me of my Chica who also hates hands and being petted more than one time... Touching her once is more than enough and sometimes even too much 😅 she loves being around us and laying by us to keep us company though.. still love my evil biting cat though 🤓
P.S - I also found her when she was the tiniest smallest baby kitty, so she was never really disciplined and taught by other cats how to be a cat and how bitting may hurt... 🤷🏻♀️
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u/fightmydemonswithme 16h ago
She thinks your hands are for playing. Redirect to cat toys if she bites your hands.
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u/North_Ad1934 16h ago
He’s tryna clean you better. You know how when cats lick themselves they bite themselves? It’s basically what he’s tryna do to you but he doesn’t realize it hurts
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u/Fit-Supermarket-9656 16h ago
Cat's have a behavior where they will bite you to make you smell like them if they really love you. They've got glands there to apply their scent. My Dingy boy will latch on to my double chin and suckle on me if I let him.
He is incredibly clingy and addicted to me :D
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u/CheapDot3921 17h ago
They get excited demonstrating affection 😅 I always move away when that happen from my cats
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u/Ok_Statistician2730 17h ago
yes my cat did all the time. but i let the bite since it wasn't hurting me. toxic relationship 😂😂
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u/RockEnRollaaa96 17h ago
My cat literally does these random obscene things all the time. He’ll be curled up and cuddling in my arms, and I’ll be petting him and loving him and then suddenly he’ll claw me and bite me for no reason.
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u/BreathingGirl000 17h ago edited 17h ago
Sometimes they need to make sure you are paying attention to their boundary. It can be a sign they are getting overstimulated or they don’t like the spot you’re touching or the way they are being held.
Edit: my cat Inky was the most affectionate boi ever, all up in my grill, loving on me, purring. Suddenly he would smack me. That meant he had enough. In his case, his limit came up on him suddenly and he’d let me know with a whack. It was very surprising cuz he would still be purring. Eventually I got to know when to stop before I got smacked. Lol
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u/Cinnabun6 16h ago
my girl loves to go through my armpit then gets pissed that my arm brushed against her body
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u/BreathingGirl000 16h ago edited 16h ago
How dare you!
Edit: Cats have little whiskers not only on their eyebrows and above their mouths, but also on their legs. When they get brushed even slightly it can create a lot of sensation for the cat. It can be annoying or irritating to them. The whiskers are super sensitive. That’s why cat food dishes are so shallow: so the sides of the bowl don’t disturb the whiskers too much.
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u/Malcom_Ecstacy 16h ago
Every morning when my girl wants me to wake up and feed her she jumps on my chest and starts kneading on the blanket, but every time she does this she moves closer and closer to the edge of the blanket and then "accidentally" gets skin on my neck or face to wake me up lol or she will just lick my face like the cat in the video and if I'm not moving she will give me a little bite.
She never bites or scratches hard, it's almost always playful. Only time she ever scratched me and put everything she had into it was when she was freaking out at a stray cat that was on the outside of the glass in my apartment. She was making ungodly screeches and I tried to pull her away and shut the blinds and she scratched the shit out of my hand. Used to have a scar there for 3-4 years but now it's finally starting to go away
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u/afterfluff 17h ago edited 16h ago
Your cat loves love you and give you a lovebite. :7949::7952::7949::7952::7949::7952:
Nice video thanks for sharing. :7984:
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u/SarcastiMel 16h ago
Love bites. My cat does the same.
She either headbutts into a bite, or gives kisses then bites.
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u/Appropriate-Claim-29 16h ago
I love you so much i want to bite you. Cats just act on intrusive thoughts
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u/usingthenameusername 16h ago
Your explanation is perfect and also sums up about 50% of my cats days. I’m envisioning all of the different intrusive thoughts my cats must be acting on.
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u/harms916 14h ago
Cats will often check if you are alive by giving you a small bite. If they find that you are still alive they will continue with their plot of murder.
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u/CatKungFu 13h ago
It’s a love bite.. the cat is all overcome with love and affection.. it’s saying I feel so close and safe and I trust you.
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u/Economy-Bid8729 16h ago
They bite you beacuse they love you. The bites are play bites. Our girl will love, love, love, and then wants to play and playing is biting and fighting because it's so exciting! She wants to be chased, fought, taken to ground and then get up and go after you. That small bite is an invite to play like a cat.
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u/ProminenceGenesis 16h ago
Cats often use gentle bites as a way of showing affection. Such bites are light and painless. If during the game your pet begins to show aggression and bite harder, this may indicate that he is interested in the game process, where you are the prey.:7952::7952::7952:
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u/ConstantGeographer 12h ago
You moved your head ever so slightly. She gripped you with her teeth to tell you to "hold still while I love you"
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u/TinyDuckInASuit 11h ago
That look in the camera has me dead!
Such a precious kitty.
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u/ChroniclesOfSarnia 10h ago
when cats bite their own fur it releases oils from their skin that keeps their coat glossy and clean!
congrats!
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u/PumpkinBrain 9h ago
Cats are instinct-ivised to grooming and playing with other cats. Cat fur provides resistance to teeth and claws. That sort of biting would be nothing to another cat, so they assume it’s nothing to you.
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u/hahagato 9h ago
They sometimes “bite” when grooming to get into their fur deeper. I think she just forgot you don’t have fur lol
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u/That1CrazyCat 1h ago
Love. Your cat loves you and is cleaning you like family. It's a compliment. My cat nibbles on me when she's licking incessantly as well.
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u/UncleFunky1001 17h ago
It's just a love bite. It clearly didn't hurt. Your cat was just expressing love for you.
Cats are weird that way..
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u/Hefty_Carpenter_5717 16h ago
It does it to kill a possible flea, its not that you got them, just part of the process of cleaning, removing some skin and fur and possible bugs.. they want you clean you know? “Clean”
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u/NeoLocutus 16h ago
That’s their way of telling you that they love you (at least when they bite like the cat in the video)
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u/Katongadeth 16h ago
It’s just another sign of affection. If the bite came with an aggressive twisting of the skin, then it would be an issue. Clearly this kitty loves you.
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u/PrancingRedPony 15h ago
If you had fur, he'd bite your fur to comb through it in search for fleas. Their instincts tell them to do it, but mid-bite they realise there's no fur, so no fleas, so they stop combing and return to the liking cycle
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u/Marsupialize 15h ago
You’ve seen them groom themselves and other cats, the nibble is part of the grooming
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u/OfficialMortonSalt 15h ago
So you've never seen something so cute you want to bite it?
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u/carlyfriesxoxo 14h ago
My bf and I adopted a 3 month old kitten together (now 2.5 years old). I alone feed him (along with the other animals because otherwise the cats get fed extra) and clean the litter boxes. Yet my bf gets this affection and I am merely the attendant :7944:
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u/muchandquick 14h ago
I had a tabby that would give me love bites on the nose while I was petting him. He was very careful not to bite too hard and it was fine until the one time he hooked a fang on the inside of my nostril and freaked out.
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u/Every_Finding6297 13h ago
He's grooming you because you're a packmate.
A well groomed pack has an evolutionary advantage because they'll have less flees, ticks, etc. If you've got something in your fur that your tongue can't get out, just use your teeth. He's deep in grooming mode so his instinctual brain just hit the wrong button (why are "lick" and "bite" beside of each other?!).
Also, as a rule, you don't groom someone you don't care about. And you only groom someone this thoroughly if you really care about them. Like, "this is my favorite person" level of caring.
Source: I made all of this up. Don't trust people on the internet.
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u/Kiki1577 11h ago
Absolutely a Love bite. Cats do it to show affection. And also because they consider you theirs.
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u/shifty_coder 10h ago
Cats bite during mutual grooming. It’s basically their way of saying “hold still. I’m not done.”
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u/Common_Alfalfa_3670 6h ago
Just checking to see what you taste like in case you dîe in your apartment alone and nobody comes to find you for a few days.
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u/pearlrose85 3h ago
He loves you. My tuxedo does this all the time. He gives a bunch of kisses and then a nip, and then goes back to kisses. He does it to his brother too. My other cat is not affectionate; we're lucky to get to pet him some days. He never gives kisses at all.
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u/ExpertFault 16h ago
Because after few licks it was clear you are delicious so naturally your cat wanted to take a bite.
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u/luvcatsmeowmepw 15h ago
For cats washing their fur, little bites feel really good, and cats don't understand that you're a human so they can sometimes bite you but in a affectionate way 😸😸
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u/Un-Seen-One 15h ago
Part of their grooming involves a small bite to help with the cleaning process. Also could be a love bite. The bites are never very hard.
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u/Middle-Noise-6933 15h ago
When my cat does this when she’s grooming me, I always say she’s working her saliva in 🤣
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u/BreathingGirl000 17h ago edited 16h ago
Love bite. Kittens bite during play to learn battle and hunting skills. Mama cats wrap their jaws around babies’ necks to carry them places. They don’t break the skin unless they feel threatened enough. Biting is something cats do with their family. You are in your cat’s family basically.