Dr. Sarah Yosry

Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Yosry
Updated on 1/4/2025
Reading time 3 min.

Overview

Severity: Low

Life stage: All

Why do cats lick and bite other cats? It’s a question that has plagued many cat owners since the beginning of time. There is no simple answer to this question, but there are some things you can do to help your pet get along with other cats.

Why does my cat lick me then bite me?

To Show Their Love

If your cat licks and bites you, there’s a good chance it’s affectionate. Cats are very caring animals and often lick or bite their owners to show their love. They may also do this to other cats, so make sure another cat isn’t attacking you!

Your pet cat is grooming you

Cats are spotless animals, so licking is a way of cleaning you. Cats also lick to show that they are happy with you and may be trying to get closer to the food or water bowl in your home.

This behavior can be annoying if it continues too long, but cats do this because they want nothing more than to take care of their owners’ needs!

It is Overstimulated

If your cat is overstimulated, it may bite you because they are trying to tell you something. It could be that they are scared of something new in their environment and don’t know what else to do. If this happens often enough, it can lead to a bite.

If you have been away from home for some time and come back home with a new pet or baby in the house, this could also cause overstimulation for your cat. The same goes for people moving into an apartment or house with pets already there—mainly if these animals aren’t used to being around other animals as much as they would like!

It is overstimulated

They are Playing

If your cat is doing this, it’s probably not a big deal. They’re just playing with you! They test your reaction and see how much you like being bitten by them. This can be good for you in some situations, but if it becomes too much for you (or worse: painful), there are ways to break their interest in biting.

It is stressed

Stress is a common reason for cats to lick and bite. Cats may lick and bite when stressed by a change in their environment, such as moving or being separated from their owner or new surroundings. When this happens, the cat needs time to adapt to avoid these triggers and continue having fun with you!

Why does my cat lick and bite other cats?

This behavior is a sign of affection. Cats do it to show their love for humans, which can be comforting and reassuring to some people. It’s also common in cats when grooming or playing with toys, so it’s not always a problem.

Your cat might bite another cat because it wants to establish dominance over the other pet to protect its territory from infringing upon by others (or just because they’re bored).

If you see this happening often enough that it causes concern for your safety, then maybe consider getting two cats instead of just one!

Conclusion

As long as your furry friend licks you for attention, you’re probably doing a great job at pet ownership. However, if your best friend repeatedly bites you in the same spot, it’s probably because that area contains many scent glands. I hope this information has helped you understand why your cat licks and bites other cats.

Our Modern Vet Downtown is located 8 minutes drive from Al Wasl via happiness St, Al Safa St, Financial Center Rd, Al Asayel St, and then to Modern Vet Downtown. It is located just 1 minute’s walk from South Ridge Park.

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Dr. Sarah Yosry

Writen by
Dr. Sarah Yosry
DVM

A product of a rich Australian/Egyptian heritage, Dr. Sarah Yosry stands as a testament to the union of diverse cultures and a shared love for animals…

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
Because cats want to show their love, cat is grooming you, your pet is stressed, overstimulated or playing.
Cat might bite another cat because it wants to establish dominance over the other pet to protect its territory from infringing upon by others or just because they’re bored.
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