Cats have a long list of strange behaviors that will leave you scratching your head. Most of these tendencies are completely natural, and are a result of thousands of years living in the wild and evolution. Just about all the time there is a method to the madness. In today’s article, we are going to discuss cat’s habit of biting. In particular, we are going to explain why cats like to bite your ears.
Why does my cat bite my ear?
The main reasons your cat bites your ear is because they are attracted to wear wax, are fascinated with the ear, want attention/need something, and to show love and affection.
Earwax
It sounds weird, but the smell of human earwax is very appealing to cats. While the smell is unnoticeable for humans, a cat can smell your earwax from a couple feet away. Therefore, a cat will climb your body and bite your ears to get closer to the ear wax. Cats are attracted to earwax because it has a very strong odor. These are mainly from dead skin cells, fatty acid, and even cholesterol.
Shape and texture
Your cat also bites your ear because they are fascinated by the shape and texture of it. The firm but flimsy skin and cartilage makes your ear the perfect toy to nibble on. Usually cats will just nibble on your ear because it feels good for their teeth or mouth.
Want attention/need something
A cat will also bite your ear if they are seeking your attention. This could be because they are bored or think that you are ignoring them. They may also bite your ear in order to pressure you to play with them. They may also bite your ear to tell you something. Your cat could do this because they are sick or injured, or because they want you to fill up their food bowl.
Show love
Lastly, a cat will also bite your ear as a way to tell you they love you. These bites will usually be soft, and will rarely penetrate the skin. Cats are aware that the ear is a sensitive area, and by biting it softly they are trying to please you. This is a common behavior among kittens of the same litter.
Aside from your ear, cats will also bite other parts of your body. It is very common for your cat to bite your feet, especially while you are moving. To learn more about this behavior, check out our article on why does my cat bite my feet?
Should I be worried if my cat is biting my ear?
No, there is no need to worry if your cat is biting your ear, especially if it is just a soft nibble. As you read above, this type of behavior is very common in cats and is completely natural. You should only be concerned if the cat starts to be aggressive and penetrates your skin. In this case, you should start discouraging your cat from biting your ear.
How to get your cat to stop biting your ear?
There are a couple ways to prevent your cat from biting your ear. The first starts with your own personal hygiene. As cats are attracted to ear wax, you should try cleaning your ears more often. You should also try to start giving your cat more attention and playing with them more frequently, so they are less bored and won’t feel the need to bite your ear. You can also look into getting your cat a new chewy toy so they are less inclined to chew on your ear. Lastly, you should make sure your cat’s food and water bowls are full.