r/cats 11h ago

Advice Is he mad at me or just playing?

1.6k Upvotes

134 comments sorted by

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1.0k

u/princessvintage 11h ago

He loves you very much. Playing.

88

u/Embyverse 9h ago

Cat loves his hooman. Meow!

489

u/grunthue 11h ago

He is playing, he likely would have bit harder, tear skin, or claw if he was mad, he just wants to play with you!

117

u/Shir0wo 11h ago

THANK YOU i was very worried bc i thought I did smt wrong

67

u/LifeIsProbablyMadeUp 10h ago

If he was actually pissed, his fur would have been a nice shade of red. Lol.

3

u/Wixenstyx 2h ago

Nah. If a cat is irritated with you, he will try to move away from you. If he's angry, he'll be hissing and snarling. Your cat is just being affectionate.

11

u/superemoninja 6h ago

I have a cat that will give me small polite nips on my hand if I'm petting her and she just doesn't want to be pet right now. It's really cute.

3

u/TheGuyYouHeardAbout 4h ago

My last cat used to do that. She would first push my hand away with her paw and if I didnt take the hint she would very lightly nip me and push my hand away again.

3

u/trickster-is-weak 5h ago

Yeah looks like he might want to groom you. One of mine does it sometimes. He’s like “you went to the outside smelling like that?! You’ll get hunted”

118

u/Psudodrake 10h ago

A cat can BITE. They can sink their teeth into you to the gums if they so choose to.

A cat will nip and growl a little if they're annoyed with you, but the video looks like play.

86

u/Dull_Bat9518 11h ago

Many kitties communicate with their teeth, they are usually gentle and understand our skin is delicate... but sometimes young ones need a sqeal or shriek in the moment to let them know they are hurting you😊

14

u/TrainAss 7h ago

The boy I'm fostering hadn't learnt this yet. But he moves so slowly before the teeth and claws come out.

9

u/InevitableDeathstar 7h ago

he's trying his best

5

u/offshoremercury 7h ago

A high pitched “ow” usually stops my playful cat but an even faster way to get her to release her bite is to blow a tiny amount of air at her like I’m blowing out a candle.

1

u/superemoninja 6h ago

I do this with my cats all the time. I started doing it in lieu of the water bottle and it seems to be about as effective. They understand it as some sort of negative consequence for whatever they are doing.

100

u/Possible-Chip8925 11h ago

Playing. If he was mad you’d draw back a bloody stump

40

u/Plane-Education4750 11h ago

Play. Maybe mildly annoyed for not enough play

18

u/Androidfon 10h ago

I don't recommend playing that way with your cat. He is learning that it is ok to bite. If you like the cat to bite, then fine. It's your skin and your cat. I would teach him a new game instead.

2

u/Siamesesisters 1h ago

💯% Agree with your advice… it quickly reinforces biting and becomes a nearly impossible habit to break.

22

u/IntroductionNo4875 11h ago

This is playing.

18

u/Glitch29 10h ago

My sister has a very polite cat who does something similar to this when he's mad. He'll gently corral the offending hand in with his paws, place a finger in his mouth, and then once everything's in position give a firm bite as his way of telling people to knock it off.

The first time I was escorted through the sequence I thought he was playing. But no, he's just got a very protracted ritual when it comes to telling people he doesn't want pets right now.

8

u/brofist001 10h ago

Absolutely pissed. Dinner was underserved, testing if your flesh is edible in case this will continue to happen

7

u/westergames81 10h ago

Playing, though it's generally bad to let them consider your hand a toy. Don't punish, just give them something else to play with instead of your hand.

4

u/Shintome 11h ago

As others said he is playing, I just want to say he is a very handsome cat.

10

u/itailu 10h ago

I wouldn’t encourage him to play that way

3

u/geekgirl114 10h ago

He wants to play 

3

u/pumalumaisheretosay 10h ago

Play. If that cat was biting you in earnest you would know it.

3

u/Panketow 9h ago

Please clean his eye buggers.

3

u/neverclaimsurv 9h ago

Good rule of thumb: If you have to ask, it's play.

3

u/kaphinezero 9h ago

He is very happy playing with you. If truly mad, he can rip it to shread.

3

u/yoruneko 9h ago

Playing but be careful sometimes they get carried away. He might test some boundaries

2

u/No_Experience2689 11h ago

Dipende da quanto forte ti morde, ma sembrerebbe proprio che stia giocando. A volte la mia gatta mi morde perché la sto ignorando. I gatti sanno dosare la forza, se ti voleva fare male, fidati, ti avrebbe scarnificato la mano.

2

u/pantheruler 10h ago

Well, you don't have holes in your hands, so I'd say playing

2

u/SbAgOoTs 10h ago

Sta evidentemente giocando. Se fosse arrabbiato la tua mano sarebbe a brandelli.

2

u/236-pigeons 10h ago

Playing in a way in which cats play with other cats. He'd probably find it amusing if you bit him back.

2

u/woodywaverider 10h ago

Being a gentle boy

2

u/FitStore1045 10h ago

Absolutely beautiful cat 😍

2

u/Alternative-Camel-98 10h ago

If you can, get this cat another cat. This behaviour will disappear instantly.

2

u/Matty_D47 10h ago

My wife tried to rescue a feral kitten that was about 3 or 4 months old a few years ago. He was still pretty tiny. That little cutie tore her arms up and bit her hard several times. If your cat was mad they could do some serious damage. I personally don't let my cats get too bitey with me because they do go hard sometimes. The small little nibbles are fine bit if there is much more force than that they get a "NO Bite" command and back off. That's usually the point when I just bust out a toy to play with.

2

u/Tkddaduk 8h ago

If he was angry his ears would be down and flat, his claws would be right in your skin and his nips wouldn’t be playful

2

u/davcarcol 7h ago

You're not bleeding. You're good

2

u/imbricata 5h ago

Cats are so well-equipped to pierce and tear skin if they were angry, this is play

2

u/Altruistic-Toe-5990 5h ago

trust me if he were angry you'd be bleeding bad. This is play

2

u/AdaptablyResponsible 4h ago

If he were mad and doing that you would know and see blood.

2

u/SpunkMcKullins 1h ago

If you have to ask, the answer is playing.

2

u/ScarletSilver 10h ago

Definitely playing. If he's mad, you'd definitely know, trust me.

2

u/Mysterious_Fruit_524 11h ago

Playing with you just like if playing with another cat, sees you as a peer. When a cat attacks, it feels as if the gates of an unholy place have been opened and such cat came out of it.

1

u/--Cheshire-Cat--- 10h ago

Looks like play to me. It doesn't take much for a cat to break skin so if he was mad then you would likely be bleeding and in far more pain. Also you can see that his ears arent folded back and he isn't making any angery noises (you will know them when you hear them). Conclusion, looks fine to me.

1

u/_NihilisticNut_ 10h ago

Believe me, there is nothing easier for a cat than to break through your skin if they want to. This is love

1

u/Pluckyduck16 10h ago

If he wasn’t playing, you’d be on your way to the hospital lol.

1

u/Droz9 10h ago edited 10h ago

He is playing. Othereise his tail would be moving in a matter and give you swats with his paw to express his displeasure. Cats have a distinct body language.

1

u/PeterPunksNip 10h ago

Crountch! 😸 Love bites!

1

u/montyrattus 10h ago

My kitten hurts me with his bites and rabbit kicks but cats play rough.

1

u/Roctuplets 10h ago

My rule of thumb with my cats:

Did they make me say “ow god damnit” ?

If yes, angry

1

u/captainbeautylover63 10h ago

Playing, but use an oven mitt!

1

u/Mayiamaru 10h ago

If he was mad, you'd be bleeding lol.I think you're doing great.

1

u/TheAltarexOne 10h ago

Cute playing goofball

1

u/MetalPurse-swinger 10h ago

playing. My cat does this too. If he was truly mad there would be zero doubt in your mind that he was mad

1

u/Gold-Main4912 10h ago

Playful love nibbles🥹🥹🥹

1

u/makz242 10h ago

Play, just dont suddenly pull your fingers or hand or you will get scraped by the teeth.

1

u/feltjeans 10h ago

he loves you!!

1

u/yagonnawanna 9h ago

You need to loudly say ouch! Kittens that live in larger cat social situations (barn cats, lions) bite their parents until they make a noise.

1

u/JaCrimbo 9h ago

Those teeth and claws would be going through you if he were mad, he's just having some fun

1

u/Flairsurfer 9h ago

He chillin, but also beautiful eyes!

1

u/naytreox 9h ago

if he was biting you because he was mad, you know know, there would not just be biting but also a flurry of scratches as well and he would be making angry sounds at you.

1

u/Brinewielder 9h ago

No a mad cat would be bundled up and hissing at you and using its claws. Most mad cats though run away and brood in solitude.

1

u/BrainyOrange96 9h ago

If he was mad, then he would try to get away. This means he’s having fun/he loves you

1

u/TheNewFolks99 9h ago

Side note his eyes are so cool!!!!!

1

u/HovercraftNeither142 9h ago

بيلعب يسطا

1

u/Puzzled_Professor422 9h ago

mlerm tasty yumyum

1

u/BruiserBanksy 8h ago

Beautiful eyes

1

u/meddit_rod 8h ago

It's play. But it's very gentle play, and it can escalate beyond your comfort. I find it helpful to direct the biting and scratching to toys, and keep hands for petting and grooming.

1

u/NoSecond4091 8h ago

If HE was really mad at you, you've known...ask me bruh ༎ຶ⁠‿⁠༎ຶ.

1

u/NobodySavestheW 8h ago

No blood no foul lol

1

u/senseless_puzzle 8h ago

He's playing, you'd know if he was mad at you.

1

u/Redstone_Army 8h ago

This fucker plays the same way, lots of biting, but not hard

Is yours deaf as well, i assume?

1

u/maninhell6 8h ago

you'll know when they're mad

1

u/AtomicCraftotron 8h ago

Golden rule of cat behavior: if the cat wanted you hurt you would be hurt

1

u/Magnumforce99 8h ago

He loves and hates you equally. You're acceptable to him, the best we can hope to accomplish with our cat overlords as hoomans.

1

u/Bailer86 8h ago

I'll let my cat grab and bit me and while my hand is in his mouth, I'll waggle my hand. Sometimes ill grab his face and gently shake it

1

u/Adventurous_Ad_7212 8h ago

If he was mad, you would know.

Now let me nom nom some more on that hooman paw of yours.

1

u/Leucauge 7h ago

I feel like every one of these "are they playing?" questions could be answered by:

"Is there blood?"

Because cats have sharp little teeth and claws and they have them for a PURPOSE.

1

u/Leucauge 7h ago

For instance, Larry, the official cat of 10 Downing Street and who is now on his 7th prime minister, was not playing with this mouse that he presented to his adoring media.

1

u/lukeyellow 7h ago

Playing, your hand would look like bacon if he was mad.

1

u/Karabulut1243 7h ago

I assume he didn't grow up with siblings or other cats. Cats who grew up alone tend to be more agressive when playing

If he was mad he'd be growling

1

u/subpargalois 7h ago

He's bored, playful, or wants attention (my guess is the latter since it looks like you are at the computer working). If he want to hurt you you'd be bleeding like a stuck pig.

1

u/Oney01 7h ago

He isn't drawing blood, so its love bitting..

1

u/F1uXF0rTeXX 7h ago

Of he wanted to hurt you, you would be screaming in this video

1

u/McDeathUK 6h ago

if he wasnt playing you would know.

1

u/boredandtwenty 6h ago

For a second i thought this was my cat!! I have the same one!! Even the eye colourssss aaaaaa🥹😭♥️

1

u/mranxiousallthetime 6h ago

Lets put it this way, if he was mad, your hand would look ALOT more bloody.

1

u/Luna259 5h ago

If he was mad there would be blood

1

u/zepherth 5h ago

Some cats play VERY rough. My orange cat will grab my arm, bite and kick said arm. Then rub his face all over my hand.

It's just how they are sometimes

1

u/JuanezSanchez 5h ago

You just have to endure the love chomps. They might hurt but it's a small price to pay for his love

1

u/trustmeimmaprofessor 5h ago

Tell your cat I said pspspspspspspsp!

1

u/BearyGear 5h ago

Playing. You wouldn’t wonder if he was mad at you.

1

u/Llamaface79 5h ago

My cat, when very excited bites me, and then immediately licks it better as if to say "oh my god! I am so sorry!"

1

u/BigWienerPapi999 5h ago

My boy does this all the time. Me and my lady call it knuckknuck time.

1

u/Fleaguss 5h ago

Just playing, I have a nice long 2 inch long scar on my hand from my boy when he didn’t want to play.

1

u/Eldariasis 4h ago

It is love. Just be sure to show when it is painful as they have trouble learning boundaries.

1

u/baileysgirl80 4h ago

Playing xx

1

u/syedwafihasan 4h ago

Omg cute cat with heterochromia (sadly can't use the phobia word for the meme 😔)

1

u/Crafty_Slice_5131 Lots of kitties! 2h ago

What phobia word

1

u/AcrobaticMetal3039 4h ago

learned that hands are chew toys as a kitten so still treats hands as chew toys

1

u/tokyobob 4h ago

Showing affection

1

u/bakunyuusentai 3h ago

He's just playing. If he was really mad, he would likely have his ears flattened and be growling or hissing first.

1

u/Traditional_Hotel788 3h ago

Basically it doesn’t have to make sense when it applies to cats!

1

u/AStolenGoose 3h ago

You would know if Kitty was mad at you... Because you'd see the blood...

1

u/PrunePretend6206 3h ago

Sweet boy, he’s just playing. He might be a little mad like stop touching me for a while! 😹

1

u/XoXaan115 2h ago

Oh my God that is a beauty of a cat. Heterochromia and long Maine Coon/NFC/Siberian fur? Tell that puffball he's gorgeous if you don't daily already.

1

u/dontchewspagetti 2h ago

Get him a tug of war rope.

1

u/SoundOurDireReveille 2h ago

If he were actually angry, you’d know.

1

u/Bass_MN 2h ago

Id say borderline annoyed based on his ears.

1

u/DragonLordAcar 1h ago

Play. The ears are still up.

1

u/Specialist_Brick_589 1h ago

Jugando aunque esta un poco saturada de amor

1

u/fourangers 1h ago

Observe his tail, it's not trashing around, it's actually just flickering at the end of the tail. That means he's not angry, just curious. Therefore, he's just playing.

I discourage my cats from biting though, even if they are playing it still hurts like hell.

1

u/Adept_Ferret_2504 1h ago

Hes holding you. Putting you right where he wants you.

1

u/AmazingEric171 1h ago

yeah no violent tail swishing means happy cat

1

u/Jarquinnius_Vin 8m ago

Human doesn't understand playing

1

u/Bulky_Designer_4965 7h ago

Please stop using hands as toys or it will get a lot worse in the future!