Why Does My Cat Bite My Hair? Surprising Reasons!

It’s not uncommon for pet owners to ask “why does my cat bite my hair? Though it can be annoying, your cat isn’t trying to give you a makeover!

In this post you’ll discover a few reasons for this strange behavior that may surprise you. Whether you’re a new cat parent or a seasoned one you’ll enjoy the read.

We’ll also look at certain breeds of cat more likely to chew hair, and how you can help break the habit. Although cats have their own agenda, you can encourage better behavior.

Attention Seeking

If your cat starts biting or chewing your hair it could be her way of seeking attention. Whether you’re trying to work or watching tv, these activities are taking your attention away from your cat!

As we all know, cats were once worshipped by Egyptians and they never let us forget that! They believe they deserve full attention from their subjects at all times:)

Wake Up I’m Bored!

Clawing my scalp and attacking my hair is a favorite way for my cat to wake me up! Whether it’s 3am or time to get out of bed it’s hard to ignore!

Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon and I’ve heard other kitty parents tell of similar experiences. The problem is though once cats learn something works they don’t forget!

While it may be tempting to offer your cat treats to distract attention, it will be referenced for future use! Far better to either ignore unwanted behavior, or find another way to distract her.

The best way to stop this night time activity is cover your head until kitty gives up. At least, that’s what I’ve found.

Raising your voice never works and may only encourage further attacks. The same goes for pushing your cat away.

In fact, it may only make her more determined! Cats don’t operate the same way as dogs:)

Your Hair Is Seen As A Toy!

Cats love anything that dangles and that includes your hair! Whether string, tinsel, or a playmates tail, anything that moves is fair game.

If you have long hair that’s loose and swings about, it could be seen as a toy. Pulling and biting your hair is fun and your cat is simply initiating play.

Try getting your cat to play with a more appropriate toy such as a feather wand. These can stimulate and encourage play without damaging your hair!

In addition, feather wands encourage exercise, even for the laziest kitty. You can get a variety of colorful feathers and some even have bells.

What better way to distract your cat and burn that excess energy! You could even get a few different wands so your cat doesn’t get bored.

Your Cat Likes The Smell Of Your Hair

It’s probably not the main reason your cat may be biting your hair, but quite possible. As I’ve mentioned before, a cats sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than a humans.

It could be you’re using a hair product that appeals to your kitty. She may just find it interesting as it’s different from all other smells she’s used to.

A Sign Of Affection

Biting and chewing your could be a sign of affection. While some view cats as cold, solitary creatures, the reality is far different.

Grooming is a social pastime for felines and a way of bonding and showing affection. If you observe cats you’ll notice they frequently groom each other’s head and neck areas.

This is known as allogrooming and quite possibly what your cat is doing. You should take this as a compliment!

Your kitty sees you as a trusted member of her family. Biting your hair is her way of saying she loves you.

Licking and biting is common and if you watch cats grooming each other you’ll know what I mean. However, unlike human skin, a cat’s is a lot tougher.

It’s unlikely your feline friend knows how delicate your scalp is even if you yell in pain! In fact she could be finding your reaction highly entertaining!

Stress Relief And Comfort

Stress isn’t exclusive to humans as our pets can suffer from it as well. While you may chew the top of a pen to relieve stress, your cat finds relief by chewing your hair.

You may be wondering how your pampered kitty could possibly be stressed. However, cats are highly sensitive to environmental changes, no matter how small.

It only takes something insignificant such as moving the sofa to stress you cat. This is because they’re creatures of habit, Moving furniture disturbs scent markings and can take a while for your kitty to adjust.

Compulsive Behavior

Just like people, cats can develop compulsive behavior, similar to OCD. Although rare, it’s possible your cat may have a compulsion with hair.

If you find it impossible to deal with and distraction doesn’t help, you could always consult an animal behaviorist. These are highly skilled professionals capable of diagnosing and resolving unwanted behavior in pets.

Sign Of Illness

If your cat’s behavior has changed and you’re worried it may be a good idea to consult a vet. Signs such as being hyperactive or sudden loss of weight, could signal your cat has hypothyroidism.

Another possibility particularly if you have an oriental breed is pica. Chewing or biting your hair could release feel good chemicals in the cat’s brain if she has this disorder.

Breeds More Likely To Bite Your Hair

Although any breed of cat can bite or attack your hair it seems more common in oriental breeds such as Siamese. There’s no particular explanation, but it’s probably genetic.

Kittens are also more likely to bite your hair. This is because just like human babies it’s their way of exploring the world.

How To Stop Your Cat Biting Your Hair

The best way to stop your cat biting or attacking your hair is to remove yourself from the situation. Whether this means going into another room or sitting somewhere else it usually has an immediate effect.

If you have long hair, putting it up in a ponytail takes it out of your cat’s reach. However, she may still claw your scalp.

Remember, this isn’t out of aggression, and is usually your cat’s way of showing affection.

Try distracting your cat with a toy such as a feather wand or ball. Diverting her attention should do the trick, though she’ll probably still bite your hair again.

Cats are highly intelligent animals and once something works to get attention they don’t forget! If biting your hair at night wakes you up, your cat will use this everytime she’s bored.

Your cat doesn’t care whether it’s the middle of the night or early morning. As long as it has the desired effect!

Training your cat to stop biting your hair may take time. All you can do is find something that distracts her attention and keep doing this until she gets the message!

Also, simply ignoring your kitty will make her lose interest after a while. That is until she finds another way to get your attention!

Final Thoughts

Now you know the answer to the question “why does my cat bite my hair?” I hope it’s helped you have a better understanding of cat’s behavior.

While all cats are different they all share a stubborn trait. Whether you have the most expensive pedigree or a moggy, you’ll know just how relentless cats are!

Always remember, unlike dogs, cats are out to please themselves. This means you’ll find it far easier to train your cat by rewarding good behavior.

If distracting your cat’s attention away from your hair works, reward her with a small treat. She’ll soon start to associate the distraction with treats, and may in time stop biting your hair.

If you’ve enjoyed this post and found it useful please share. Also, if you have any questions or would like to share experiences, leave a comment below.

Wishing you a purrfect day:)

Kathy
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