Being gently bitten!

[Pashazade]

So my cat has started gently biting me after he sniffs my hand. Normally before giving him a behind the ear scratch, I usually let him sniff my hand, gaining tacit permission to carry on with the affection, I'm sure you all know what I mean. Initially I took this bite/pressure as a please stop fussing me, but he's not reacting to my ds stroking him 5 minutes later. So I'm most bemused. It's not breaking the skin, but this is completely new behaviour. He is 12ish. Anyone got any ideas? He's not a lap cat but does love a good stroke and a bit of chin/ear rubbing normally. He seems perfectly healthy otherwise.

My fro at does this. But then licks fingers afterwards. I still take it as a get off me sign. She may not do they same to your son, as she recognises that he is little.

Friends

One of our cats gives me love nibbles often, usually if he wants me to stroke him more. It's definitely not a "get off me" sign for him, it's a "how dare you not be stroking me and giving me attention right now" sign 😂 he does it gently and only when we're snuggled on the sofa. Cats are odd 😄❤

Definitely love nibbles/love bites. It's affectionate

When I was a kid, my grumpy cat would very gently put his mouth around my hand when he wanted me to leave him alone. If I didn't stop stroking him, I then got a proper bite.

I think it’s a love bite. My girl gives me the occasional nibble after washing my hand.

Thanks folks, nice to know it may just be affection!

It's a sign of affection

Our last foster kitten did this when he got a bit over stimulated! But it definitely didn't mean stop 😂