It is normal to see cats licking or swatting each other. However, seeing a cat biting another cat’s bum may leave you perplexed. Why do cats tend to do that? Read on and let us discover why cats behave like this.
Why is my cat biting other cats bum?
A cat may bite another cats bum for the following reasons:
1. It may be a show of dominance.
Cats have distinct personalities and some of them may display dominance over others. This may occur in multicat households where unfixed male cats tend to manifest dominance over the rest. If a cat bites other cats’ bum through playfighting it may indicate or show dominance and a cat’s way of letting the other cats know that he is the alpha in the pack.
Here are ways that cats may assert dominance aside from playfighting:
- marking their scent
- hoarding objects
- blocking
- food aggression
- allogrooming
- staring
- through body language
- aggression
2. It may be a sign of sexual aggression.
Sexual aggression among cats is linked to the breeding process and biting another cats bum may be a dysfunctional or displaced expression of such behavior. This may be observed although a cat is already neutered.
To prevent this behavior, cat experts recommend topical pheromone treatment to the aggressed cats or to treat the aggressor with progesterone-like compounds. Signs of a sexually aggressive cat aside from biting another cat’s bum may include scrapping with rival male cats, urine spraying, attempting to mount and sexually engage a female cat in the household regardless if she is or is not willing to cooperate.
3. It is instinctual.
Cat experts note that it is instinctual among male cats to attempt to bite other male cats’ bums and testicles. Cats that have access to the outdoors may suffer from abscesses on the base of their tails because of this. To avoid this from happening cat experts recommend neutering your cat. Similarly, unspayed female cats may also bite an unfixed male cat’s bum.
A female cat may also do it to let the male cat know that she is in charge. This behavior is usually nothing to worry about. However, if the cats are already hurting each other and drawing blood, you must interfere.
Why do my cats bite each other while grooming?
Cats may bite each other while grooming because they may be untangling each other’s fur. The biting may not be intended to hurt despite one cat acting more dominant than the other but it is more about establishing who is in charge rather than causing pain. They may also bite each other to get the fleas out or to remove tangles and matted spots as well as vegetation from the fur. Felines may also bite each other while grooming because they may get overstimulated, may become too excited and do not know how to handle it.
Social grooming among cats is called allogrooming and they groom each other as a way of bonding and reinforcing social hierarchies. Among cats that perform allogrooming, only one of them may do the grooming and dominant felines are the ones likely to allogroom less dominant and less confident ones. This behavior is observed not only among domestic cats but also among big cat colonies and lions.
Why are my cats biting each other?
Cats tend to bite each other during playtime as playful nipping toward each other. However, cats that are biting each other may also indicate fear, lack of socialization, overcrowding, redirected aggression and the inappropriate introduction of a new cat. Cats may also be biting each other due to medical conditions such as brain disorder, liver disease, epilepsy and arthritis. Hormone imbalances and certain medications like cortisone may also be associated with aggression among cats.
Why do cats bite each other in the back?
Cats may bite each other in the back as a show of dominance. Aside from fellow cats, they may also bite stuffed toys and other pets. This behavior of biting each other in the back mimics part of the breeding posture and is usually not something to worry about if it does not bother the cats and does not lead to more aggressive behavior. Provide toys and schedule interactive playtime with your cats to distract and to prevent them from biting each other.
Why do cats bite and lick each other’s ears?
Cats may bite and lick each other’s ears to communicate. It may mean like a “welcome home, I’m glad you’re back” greeting among them and when felines are familiar with each other they tend to lick each other as a sign of bonding and affection. They may also allogroom each other to keep a strong bond. They do it among fellow cats that they trust and if they feel relaxed in their company. Felines may also lick each other in the face and ears to transfer their scent and strengthen the bond.
Conclusion
Cats are affectionate and social creatures but they may also manifest aggressive behavior like biting other cats’ bum. They may do this as a show of dominance or as an indication of sexual aggression. It may also be instinctual by nature and often observed among unneutered and unspayed cats.