Why Do Cats Rub their Teeth on You?

Cats often rub their teeth and mouths on their owners. When you see this, don’t think the cat is trying to bite you. This is the cat marking you and leaving its scent on you. Other causes could be gum and teeth diseases, teething, or overstimulation.

Cat owners have often experienced a cat’s tender bite and might have interpreted it differently. This can first appear as odd, but when one knows the true meaning, it becomes a bonding moment. Cats have a wild side even when domesticated and the teeth rubbing stems from the behavior of survival in the wild. A cat’s teeth rubbing is a friendly way of showing affection to its owner. Sometimes, the issue can stem from dental issues and should be looked at just to be sure.

Why do cats rub their teeth on you?

Marking its territory

Cats are known to mark their territories by rubbing their teeth against their owners. When your cat does this, it is leaving pheromone deposits on you. This way, the cat marks you as family. It is also the cat’s way of telling you that it loves you. Humans produce pheromones through their sweat glands. In cats, these glands are located in their paws, chin, ears, and inside their mouths.

The pheromones are known to produce a unique scent. This scent is what the cat uses to mark you as theirs. This can come off as weird, but we are dealing with an animal and anything is possible. If you have seen any lions’ documentary, you might have noticed the lionesses or the lions rubbing their teeth on their cubs. This is a way of marking them as their family members in the wild. At home, the cat uses the same mechanism to mark the owner. So, the next time your feline pulls this stunt on you, don’t panic, just let nature take its course. When your fur baby shows you this kind of affection, you must be doing something right.

Dental infections

The teeth rubbing can be a sign of dental diseases and your feline could be in pain. It is common for a cat to have dental illnesses which are often painful. Statistics show that cats above four years have a 50-90% chance of getting dental disease. Some of the most common dental illnesses are feline gingivitis and Periodontitis. Feline gingivitis presents with inflamed, and red gums. This disease is caused by plaque build-up that results in bacteria growth.

The autoimmune response is what causes the redness and swelling of the gums. Periodontitis is a chronic case of untreated gingivitis. This is a serious case and can result in tooth loss. These cases are uncomfortable and painful and the only way the cat can bring relief to this pain is by applying pressure on the gums by rubbing them on you. It’s good to keenly observe your kitty when it continues rubbing of teeth and making weird mouth movements.

Teething

Your adorable kitten might have started rubbing its teeth on you. This is not a sign of affection or infection but a sign of teething. Your baby cat is going to have some teeth soon. Teething can cause severe itching and your little kitten will come to you for rescue. Teething starts as early as two weeks and can last for two months. These teeth fall out by three to four months and are replaced by permanent teeth. This is another period of teething and itching. Humans give soothers and other toys to relieve the itching and pain. Kittens rub their gums against their owners for pain relief. If you have had enough of being used as a soother, purchase some kitten chew toys and save yourself from the tiny bites.

Overstimulation

You have probably had a wonderful play time and your little feline has had enough fun. When the sensitive hair follicles in your cat’s skin are over-stroked, they can start to cause discomfort. Cats will start rubbing their teeth on you to tell you to back off.

If you don’t stop, your feline may intensify the bite. The cat is already comfortable where it is and does not want to move. While some cats opt to just walk away, some will rub their teeth on you to tell you to stop. If you notice these rub after some time of petting, this is a sign that petting time is over.

What should you do if a cat rubs its teeth on you?

The first thing is to establish the reason why the cat is rubbing its teeth on you. If it is about marking the territory and showing you affection, then reciprocate by petting it. In the case of overstimulation, stop petting it immediately and let it rest.

Dental diseases should be handled by a veterinarian and should be done as soon as you notice the problem. I wouldn’t be too worried about a teething kitten as it’s part of nature. You can offer a kitten chewing toy and ensure you give it wet foods. Hard foods like cat biscuits will only cause more pain. Let’s look at each reason for teeth-rubbing and the best action in summary.

Conclusion

Cats are amazing creatures who establish communication with humans using various actions. Teeth rubbing is a common way to show affection or communicate pain or discomfort. Some cats can rub their teeth on you due to mere curiosity. They don’t mean any harm even when they intensify their bites. They are only trying to communicate in the best way they can.

FAQs

What makes a cat bite you when you are petting it?

This is a sign that the cat is overstimulated and wants you to stop petting it.

How can you differentiate between teething and an infection?

Take note of the age of the kitten. If it’s too old to be teething, look out for infections.

Maria Giovanni

Maria Giovanni is a pet lover and does have a variety of pets at home, from the lapdogs to parrots and cats. The latter however seems to be her favorite because she operates a shelter that caters specifically to injured and stray cats. You can also leave your cat with her if you have to travel out of town for a longer period and don’t want to lock your cat inside. Over the years Maria has championed for the rights of animals, because of the many vices that are done to the defenseless animals around the world. Compiling information for the Simple Catguide was quite fulfilling because it allowed her to share knowledge on how best people can care for their pet cats.