Cats randomly bite their owners for several main reasons:
- Overstimulation: If a cat licks then bites or vice versa, it often signals that they are overstimulated and may want the interaction to stop. Cats have a limit to how much petting they like before they bite to say "enough".
- Play and Hunting Behavior: Cats are natural hunters and may redirect their instinct to bite and "hold prey" onto their owners during play. If they hug your arm and bite, they are mimicking hunting moves. This behavior can also come from kittenhood, if they were encouraged to play with fingers or toes.
- Fear, Stress, or Pain: Cats bite defensively if scared or stressed, using body language beforehand as warning. Sudden biting may also point to pain or medical issues like arthritis, requiring a vet check.
- Attention Seeking: Some cats bite gently to get attention or to say "play with me".
- Communication: Gentle biting can be a form of social bonding or grooming behavior, or a sign of affection known as "love bites".
In summary, random cat biting is often related to overstimulation, play, fear, pain, or a form of communication, and paying attention to their body language helps understand and prevent it. If biting is sudden and unusual, a vet visit is advised to rule out illness or pain.
