At this level, it’s a traditional cat habits. You assume you’re simply snuggling however then your feline pal decides to assault your hair!
What’s occurring right here and why do cats assault hair?
Whereas the explanations will fluctuate between cats, most cats assault your hair just because it’s a enjoyable solution to play (at the very least for them). In different instances, cats could just like the scent of your hair or they’re attempting to groom your hair as an indication of affection and love.
That’s the fast reply however there's extra to uncover. Fortunately, many of the explanations aren’t a explanation for concern, and enjoying with hair is simply one thing that cats love to do.
We’re going to take a more in-depth have a look at every of the 5 doable causes and speak about what you are able to do to cease your cat from turning your hair right into a playground.
Let’s get began!
Table of Contents
1. Your Hair May Odor Good
Your cat helps your nice style in shampoo! However your cat won't perceive that biting, pawing, and attacking your hair isn’t the best solution to specific that assist.
Whereas scent alone might be not the only real driver on your cat’s habits it will probably actually assist. In comparison with the remainder of your cat’s setting, your hair most likely smells very fascinating and your feline is all the time on the lookout for one thing new to take a look at!
What You Can Do: In case your cat appears a bit of too fascinated by sniffing your hair it is perhaps time to strive one other shampoo. However take into account, scent alone isn't prone to be the one cause your cat likes to assault your hair to maintain studying earlier than you throw out your hair merchandise!
2. Your Cat Needs To Play
Not solely does your hair scent fascinating, however lengthy hair can also be like a cell play toy for cats. Even higher is that it’s all the time connected to his greatest pal! What cat may resist!?
However in all seriousness, you already know that cats LOVE something that dangles. String, tinsel, tails, and properly….your hair! Actually, your hair can also be most likely the most secure factor on that listing for cats to play with.
In case your cat primarily swats and bats your hair together with her paws it’s most certainly that your cat simply needs to play.
What You Can Do: Attempt to encourage your cat to play with a extra acceptable toy as a substitute of your hair. In habits phrases, that is known as redirecting the habits and it’s usually far more efficient than merely telling your cat to cease.
In spite of everything, even if you happen to inform them to cease, they’re nonetheless going to wish to play!
One among my favourite toys is a toy known as Da Hen. Da Hen mimics a flying hen and I’ve by no means seen a cat not play with it. You may get the newest worth from Amazon by clicking right here.
Additionally, listed here are some cats shedding their minds over Da Hen:
Alternatively, you should utilize a toy that doesn’t require as a lot effort from you. My favourite (properly, my cat’s favourite) are these little mouse toys that make chirps after they’re knocked round. In addition they have a bit of catnip in them which doesn’t appear to do a lot for my cat Debbie however your cat may go loopy for it. You may get them from Amazon by clicking right here.
In case your cat likes to assault your hair when you’re preparing then the little mice toys are nice since you possibly can normally simply throw them on your cat and get again to preparing.
3. It’s Soothing and Pleasurable
Your cat may simply discover it comforting to chew your hair. Identical to some people get consolation from chewing a pen, your cat may simply take pleasure in a great hair chew. Each habits aren’t precisely sanitary however who am I to evaluate?
Whereas it would really feel like your cat is attacking your hair, which may simply be the best means on your cat to succeed in your elusive locks!
I do know some cats (together with a foster cat I had for a few weeks) actually needed to chew my hair after a bathe. It actually felt like an assault as she scaled couches and chairs to succeed in my hair!
What You Can Do: Once more, you’ll wish to attempt to redirect the habits to a extra acceptable toy. When you have so much fewer choices to select from I actually just like the particular cat pillows from PetStages. These are massive delicate toys and this one particularly (Amazon hyperlink) makes a mild purring noise to assuage your cat.
These received’t work for each cat but when the hair attacking and chewing is getting out of hand it’s value a shot. Whereas it feels a bit of bizarre, you may as well strive rubbing your hair on this toy to the scent your cat already likes on the toy.
If somebody walks in on you vigorously rubbing a purple cat toy in your head you possibly can ship them to me.
I’ll clarify the state of affairs.
4. Your Cat Is Grooming You and Exhibiting Love
In case your cat spends numerous time licking and chewing your hair after the preliminary “assault” then your cat is perhaps simply attempting to point out you some affection!
It’s not truly that uncommon on your cat to provide you're keen on bites that are little kitty kisses…however extra painful.
Merely put, your cat will usually present affection to different cats with little nibbles however cats have a lot harder pores and skin than you so your cat most likely doesn’t perceive that these love bites kinda damage.
Biting can also be a standard a part of grooming. In the event you watch carefully, you’ll see that the majority cats will chew sometimes whereas grooming. Grooming can also be one thing that your cat will do to different cats to point out love.
I wrote a complete put up with regards to why cats lick then chew and if you happen to’re fascinated by studying extra you possibly can click on right here to learn it.
What You Can Do: If it doesn’t hassle you an excessive amount of, you could possibly contemplate simply letting your cat do it every so often. In spite of everything, it could possibly be their means of claiming they love you!
But when it’s taking place fairly often otherwise you simply don’t like the thought of getting a cat’s mouth in your hair then it’s greatest to attempt to redirect the habits with a toy. I
5. Your Cat Has A Compulsion
In case your cat merely can’t be distracted from something as soon as he will get centered on attacking your hair you will have a barely larger drawback in your palms. Whereas fairly uncommon, some cats can develop a compulsive habits that makes them obsessed together with your hair.
Once more, that is the least possible, and be sure you attempt to redirect or distract your cat from attacking your hair earlier than leaping to this conclusion.
What You Can Do: In the event you’re beginning to assume that your cat has an unhealthy obsession together with your hair you may want to herald the consultants and go to your veterinarian. They'll rule out any well being considerations and level you in the precise course of an authorized feline behaviorist if wanted.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Hair biting, attacking, and chewing is without doubt one of the weirder issues are our cats do and results in numerous questions. I hope the 5 causes above clarify why your cat needs to assault your hair however if you happen to nonetheless have questions, I’ve obtained solutions!
Q: Why does my cat chew and pull my hair?
Most frequently your cat is simply having enjoyable and doesn’t imply to harm you. In different instances, your cat is definitely grooming you or attempting to provide you some love bites. Each are indicators that your cat cares for you however sadly, they do damage a bit!
Q: Why does my cat attempt to eat my hair?
Whereas it would really feel like your cat is attacking you and attempting to really eat your hair, they’re most likely simply attempting to have some enjoyable. Many cats discover hair fascinating and if it’s lengthy it does transfer round like a cat toy. Alternatively, your cat may simply be attempting to point out you're keen on by grooming you!
Q: Why does my cat chew my hair once I’m sleeping?
There are numerous the reason why your cat may chew your hair in the course of the evening. From grooming and enjoying to only searching for consolation however one main cause is perhaps that your cat is aware of it'll wake you up. Cats get bored similar to us and waking you up could possibly be some good leisure!
Q: Is it OK to let your cat lick your hair?
It’s okay to let your cat lick your hair generally. Ingesting your hair in small quantities shouldn’t trigger any issues on your cats. Nonetheless, be aware of the hair care merchandise you employ if you happen to’re letting your cat commonly lick your hair.
Q: How do I get my cat to cease consuming my hair?
You could have a number of choices relying on why your cat is consuming your hair however the best choice is to redirect the habits someplace else. For instance, attempt to get your cat to play with a toy as a substitute of focusing their consideration in your hair.
Q: Why does my cat sniff my scalp?
Your cat is fascinated by you and your scalp smells fascinating to them! Cat’s are all the time fascinated by the human world round them and particularly something to do with you. Between your hair, shampoo and simply being out on the earth there’s a great likelihood your scalp smells very thrilling to your cat!
What Do You Suppose?
Which cause do you assume is main your cat to assault your hair? Does he simply wish to play or is he attempting to scrub you up and share some love bites?
Tell us within the feedback beneath!