Why Cats Bite When Playing and How to Stop It

If you’ve ever had a play session with your cat abruptly cut short by a sudden nip, you’re not alone. Biting during play is surprisingly common in our feline friends—and while it’s often not meant aggressively, it can leave us wondering what’s going on. At Petdirect, we get pet, which is why we’re here to help you understand the reasons behind this quirky behaviour and offer tips on how to play safely and happily with your cat.

Why Do Cats Bite During Play?

The primary reason cats bite during play is instinct. Cats are natural hunters, and play mimics the movements and excitement of stalking prey. Your hand or that wiggling teaser toy might be a stand-in for a bird or mouse in their mind. Especially in young cats or kittens, these behaviours are part of social learning. Biting can also happen if your cat gets overstimulated or feels they’re not in control of the game. It’s important to remember: in New Zealand, where we don’t have rabies, play biting is usually behavioural, not medical.

Is It Playful or Aggressive Biting?

It’s all in the body language. A playful bite is usually gentle, and might come with a pounce, bunny kicks, or wide eyes and twitching tail. Aggressive biting often involves flattened ears, hissing, growling, or attempts to escape. If your cat goes from purring to biting in seconds, they might be overstimulated—some cats have lower tolerance for petting or fast-paced games.

To keep things on the playful side, try using dedicated cat toys like teasers, balls and plush mice—keeping your hands out of harm’s way. Toys like the KONG cat range or All For Paws interactive toys are purrfect choices for active cats.

How To Discourage Rough Play

• Use toys, not hands: Always direct your cat’s energy toward an appropriate toy. Wand toys and cat teasers & wands are ideal for this.
• Set play-period boundaries: Play in short bursts, and end the session before your cat becomes too wound up.
• Stay calm: If you’re bitten, don’t shout or punish. Pause play and walk away. This helps your cat associate biting with the end of fun.
• Provide plenty of stimulation: Boredom can lead to over-excited play. Interactive toys, scratching posts, and enrichment like high-protein diets and cat treats can help meet their energy needs.

When To Seek Extra Help

If biting is frequent, hard, or accompanied by concerning behaviour like hiding or hissing, it’s worth chatting with your vet. While play biting is normal, sudden behavioural changes can point to pain, stress, or underlying issues. Our cat health range supports everything from calming care to dental and joint health, so your feline can feel their best.

If your cat seems especially anxious or reactive, consider products from our calming essentials collection, including options like pheromone diffusers or calming treats. These can help soothe nervous kitties in multi-cat homes, noisy households, or during big changes.

Tips For Safer, Stronger Playtime Bonds

Play is an essential part of keeping your cat happy, healthy and mentally stimulated. Here are extra tips to keep things positive:

• Schedule daily playtime: Aim for 2–3 short sessions per day.
• Choose the right toys: Rotate toys to keep them exciting—check out our full toy selection for new favourites.
• Reward good behaviour: After a gentle play session, reinforce with an extra tasty treat.
• Consider training games: Clicker training or puzzle toys engage their brains and reduce rough play during hands-on sessions.

With the right approach, your cat can learn to play gently—and you can both enjoy bonding time without unexpected bites.

Final Purrs

Biting during play is a natural behaviour with a mix of instinct, excitement, and social learning behind it. But with guidance, patience, and the right tools, your cat can learn to play in a safer, gentler way. At Petdirect, we love helping pet parents foster stronger, happier bonds—and because we get pet, we’re here with expert advice, quality toys, calming products, and nutritious food picks to support every stage of your cat’s playful journey.

Ready to level up your cat’s playtime? Explore our top-rated cat toy range and calming essentials for a more purrfect partnership with your playful feline.