Siamese cats are renowned worldwide. However, they have been the prey of their own success.
They can suffer from ailments making them more prone to attack or bite due to pain, which may be caused by genetics.
Siamese are also more territorial than other cat breeds. They may bite to protect what’s theirs. Siamese also bite when they play.
Why Do Siamese Cats Bite So Much?
Siamese cats bite out of playfulness, protecting their territory, stress, or because of illness. Siamese are very playful, which can be misunderstood as aggression. If a Siamese is upset, it may take out its frustrations on itself or anything that happens to be close to it. Neutering can help with some aggression issues.
Territory and the Siamese
Siamese are more territorial than other cats. They care intensely about what’s in their territory and anything that may threaten it.
They consider their toys, their beds, their food bowls, and just about anything else within reach as theirs.
Siamese and other cats often do things other than biting to show that this is their territory and they mean business. They spray-mark urine on the walls.
They may hiss more than usual. They may stalk and leap onto any other pet or person they think is trying to take their territory away.
Be very careful when taking anything away from a Siamese. Never try to move a food dish once they are eating.
Do not try to take a toy away while they are playing. Never try to physically separate fighting cats or cats and dogs. Instead, just spray water on the felines to make them separate.
Siamese that are overly territorial should be neutered, which will also cut down on urine spraying.
Neutering males and spaying females reduces aggression and makes them more apt to relax.
Displaced Aggression
Many cats, not just Siamese, exhibit displaced aggression. Oftentimes, the trigger is a stray cat in the neighborhood.
The indoor Siamese sees the stray cat outside and wants to attack it. Since the Siamese can’t, he or she will do something to relieve the stress – such as biting you.
The good news is that displaced aggression tends to go away on its own.
If your Siamese is upset at the sight of a stray cat, keep away from the Siamese until he or she calms down. Darkening the room can help.
If there are a lot of stray cats in your neighborhood, then you may need to make sure your Siamese can’t look out of the window anymore.
Cats also can show displaced aggression when they see prey and cannot get a hold of it. Cats stimulated by the sight of squirrels or birds outside may become frantic.
If a cat suddenly becomes aggressively frantic when not at the window, check the house for mice or anything else like moths that could trigger a hunting instinct.
When Siamese Bite Themselves
Some cats, including Siamese, are so upset at a new pet or the sight of a stray cat that they start frantically grooming and biting themselves.
This is another form of displacement aggression, only instead of biting you, they bite themselves.
If the cat gets into a habit of this and starts injuring itself, then take the cat to the vet for help.
Siamese may bite themselves for several reasons. It’s normal for any cat to bite their claws or their fur when grooming.
It’s not normal when they bite off hunks of fur or bite their skin raw. This could be a sign of illness.
If the cat checks out okay at the veterinarian, then the cause is stress.
Did the cat experience any big changes in its life?
Cats love routine and hate change. Even a teenager going off to college can be enough to upset a cat, including a Siamese.
Your veterinarian may need to prescribe medications in helping the cat to calm down.
Play Biting Versus Biting
Siamese are very playful and energetic, especially those under two years old. Exercise is important for cats, especially Siamese.
Play helps keep the cat fit, keeps off excess weight, and helps you bond with your cat.
Cat play can be rough, with kicking clawed feet and biting. The cat may pounce on you and gently bite.
However, this kind of biting is play-biting. These bites usually do not break the skin and do not hurt.
The way cats play is by mimicking hunting behavior. It is normal for them to use both claws and teeth while playing.
Avoid using your hands, arms, or other body parts as toys. Use cat toys to make sure the biting and scratching go to the toys and not to you.
About Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome
Also called psychomotor epilepsy, rolling skin disease, and twitch-skin syndrome, this is a bizarre condition found only in Oriental breeds like the Siamese.
It’s such a new syndrome that it was not mentioned in veterinary publications until 1980. The first study appeared in 2019.
It can cause cats to bite not only themselves but other pets and people.
The cause of this syndrome is still unknown, but since it only appears in a few breeds, this suggests that it may be genetic. Whatever the cause, afflicted cats are hypersensitive.
They may have seizures, mutilate themselves, have almost permanently dilated pupils, and cry out far more often than usual.
The good news is treatment always works. Treatment involves medication and perhaps a change in diet.
Since stress can set off symptoms like biting, afflicted cats need to be kept as stress-free as possible.
This means keeping to a routine and avoiding any major changes in the cat’s life, such as getting a new pet or even rearranging the furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Why Siamese Cats Bite So Much
Why Does My Siamese Cat Bite Me While I’m Petting Him?
All cats, not just Siamese, are prone to petting-induced aggression. Cats only like so much affection but then become overstimulated. This can feel uncomfortable, so the cat lashes out to get the petting stopped. Cats give off signs before biting, like twitching tails, growling, sudden dilation of the pupils, or rippling the skin along the back.
Are Siamese Meaner Than Other Cats?
Cats react to the moment. If they are upset or overstimulated, they will react. It’s instinctual. Don’t turn it into something personal. All cats are prone to this, not just Siamese.
The Least You Need to Know
Each cat is different, but Siamese cats bite and are generally more aggressive than other cat breeds. They are more territorial than other breeds.
Stress may cause them to bite. Unfortunately, Siamese also suffer from ailments such as feline hyperesthesia syndrome, which may cause them to be aggressive.