Three reasons why cats lick and then bite

Why do cats lick and then bite? Why does my cat bite me when she’s being affectionate? These are questions many cats parents ask themselves, because it’s confusing. Licking is a way to show affection, while biting can be perceived as an act of aggression, a show of anger. Many cats’ owners are confused by this. Here are three reasons why do some cats lick and then bite their owners.

Playfulness

Why does my cat lick and then bite my arm? Well, cats love to play. It’s an evolutionary trait born out of necessity, the instinct to hunt. A more playful cat is more likely to lick you and then bite than a calm cat. My Amiga does it all the time, and she loves to play. Cats play with those they like and trust, so when Fluffy or Mew licks and then bites the hand that pets them, it’s a feline compliment of some sort, and a common feline behavior.

Affection

Cats lick each other in mutual grooming. Mother cat licks her kittens to keep them clean. Cats lick to show affection. They can bite to show affection, too. This lick bite behavior may sound strange, but kittens bite their mother constantly. Your cat may see you as his adoptive parent, because you feed them and show them love. They may treat you the way they treat mommy cat.

Needing alone time

Cats are loners. They’re solitary creatures. When you pet your cat, and your feline licks your hand and then suddenly bites you, that can mean they enjoy the petting, but it’s been too long. They’re tired of the attention. They want to be alone.

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