Why Does Your Siamese Cat Bite So Much?

Siamese cats are a popular breed for their distinct beauty and character, so you might be surprised to find out that they can be little rascals, hiding a lot of mischiefs as well.

Ever come home to find your house turned upside down and your Siamese standing proudly among the wreckage?

Yeah, that’s not a great feeling.

One of the most frustrating behaviors that Siamese cats are notorious for is excessive biting. Why do they do it, and is there any solution to Siamese cat misbehavior?

There are many reasons why Siamese cats are so notorious for nips and bites. These can include frustration, territorial behavior, or over-stimulation. To understand the root cause and address this behavior, you must consider several factors that might be unique in your cat’s living situation.

Are Siamese cats aggressive?

A general misconception I’ve personally come across several times is that people think Siamese cats are aggressive and should be avoided at all costs.

From experience, I can absolutely confirm the following;

Siamese cats are not naturally aggressive cats. They are, however, very attached to their routine and owner. When sudden changes happen in a Siamese’s life, they can be prone to temper tantrums. These episodes are generally temporary and easy to remedy with love and attention.

The rest of this article will dive into why Siamese cats tend to bite and how to discourage the behavior.

https://youtu.be/Ry1tXFEfs3w

Frustration with Changes in Environment or Routine

Now that we have eliminated the misconception that Siamese cats are an aggressive breed let’s look at what causes their emotions to run high from time to time.

In short, Siamese cats are more high-strung than other cats. Events in their life that affect them emotionally or break their routine can cause emotions that sometimes come out negatively. Just as it sometimes happens to us.

Examples of changes in their environment or routine can be big things like moving house, adding a new pet to the home, or changing their owner’s routine.

Sometimes the causes are minor and maybe something that we wouldn’t even have considered, such as a new piece of furniture in your home or another brand of cat food that is not popular with your Siamese.

It takes time for your Siamese to adjust to those changes. During this time of emotional upset, a Siamese may be less receptive to cuddles and more nippy than usual.

Overstimulation in Play

Siamese cats love to play. In fact, you should dedicate some active playtime with your Siamese every day to ensure they get the proper stimulation they need.

However, one of the downsides of having such an active breed is that they can find it hard to wind down after a play session.

Every twitch of a foot or wiggle of a finger is fair game to attack and bite.

You must remember that even domesticated cats retain that deadly predatory instinct, making it all the more likely they will pounce on any moving thing they see, especially during playtime.

Your cat isn’t actively trying to hurt you. They’re being driven by instinct and overstimulation during playtime.

How to avoid cats biting during play

For kitties especially, you want to avoid using your hands or feet as toys and redirect their attention to an appropriate toy.

That way, you’ll establish what is, but also what isn’t fair game for pouncing early on. We agree that it’s adorable when they try to bite your finger with those small mouths, but by allowing this, you teach them that biting is fun and games.

It will be hard to unlearn this behavior when they grow older.

If your Siamese keeps on being aggressive during playtime, consistently stop playing with them and try again later when they can behave.

In addition, don’t try to scratch your Siamese cat’s belly― trust us on this one.

There’s usually no malintent here, but cats are wired to attack whenever something touches their belly, so save your hand a few scratches and leave the belly rubs to the dog.

Territorial Nature

Some breeds of cats are more territorial and enjoy their private space. To breach that personal space―even just to wake them for the dinner bell― can invoke your Siamese cat’s wrath.

In a multi-cat household, cats sometimes need to defend their turf from other cats and you. It’s not a behavior to be concerned about unless your cat won’t let you enter a room, encroaches on your living space, or attacks you when you come too close.

Don’t pick them up or stroke them while exhibiting signs of aggression―ears back, stiff tail, arched back, rounded pupils―to let you know they’re not in the mood.

Be warned that they will bite if they feel threatened, or you make a habit of approaching them while they’re territorial.

A scratching post (sponsored), simple as it might seem, can do wonders for a territorial cat to take out their aggression.

Irritation with Owners

Yeah, it seems a little duplicitous to say that Siamese cats are both territorial and affectionate, but sometimes, your Siamese just wants attention.

If you’re busy clacking away at your keyboard and paying no mind to your unimpressed cat, they may give you a little nip at your hands or clothes, although feet seem to be the target of choice most of the time.

The reason for this is to make their frustration known, driven by the fact that they are not the center of attention at that moment.

Siamese cats crave attention and affection, and if you’re not obliging, well, you’ve earned yourself a biting. The behavior, once again, isn’t meant to hurt you but rather to elicit a response from you.

Even jumping up and shouting “No!” is getting a response and will increase the likelihood of the behavior. The best remedy is to acknowledge their presence, give them a pat, or hug them.

How to Address Biting Behavior

As you can see, many Siamese cats bite because they are understimulated or stressed. Addressing these issues takes time and consistency.

Siamese cats can be little nuisances when they want something and will likely still nip you from time to time, although you can help ward off the behavior by engaging in regular active play with your cat.

Get a feather wand ― it’s magic―to entertain your cat and burn off that frustrated and bored energy.

Hyper-aggressive behavior that’s territorial will require professional help, especially if the issue has persisted for a long time. For further reading, we’d refer you to this article from Cornell University on Feline aggression and behavioral problems.

A professional trainer has the know-how and experience to help establish a more comfortable and stress-free environment for your cats.

Our Final Thoughts

Siamese cats can be a handful―no one denies that, but naughty behavior is often caused by a lack of active play and stimulation.

Armed with the temperament of a volatile toddler, Siamese cats are cheeky bundles of joy, but if you take the time to ensure that all their playtime needs are met, you’re well on your way to a bite-free home.

Love Siamese Cats?

Then you will love our other content about this amazing breed. Have a look at these posts on our website.

References

https://petcreeks.com/why-do-siamese-cats-bite-so-much/
https://sprayingcats.com/why-do-siamese-cats-bite-so-much-a-useful-guide/
https://petsoid.com/how-to-handle-territorial-aggression-in-cats/