What does it mean when cats bite eachothers necks?

Question

I have an older cat, I would say 8 or 9 years old and a younger cat, which is a year old. My oldest is a male and the youngest is a female. They're always playing together and always doing this and that, best friends if you will. Well, I was just curious why my oldest cat bites the younger ones neck? She doesnt seem to mind it, in fact, she looks as though she's enjoying it. They're both 'fixed', so Im not exactly sure what it could be. She just lays there and let's him.. no tryin to push him as though they're playing or anything.

Answer 1

that's a natural cat instinct,dating back to the sabre-tooth tigers and how big cats (lions,tigers,etc) make their kill. I guess house cats do that as a sign of dominance or to "get their point across" or something, i don't know. My cats do it too,though.

Answer 2

Cats Biting Each Other

Answer 3

I think their just playing. Cats have loose skin on their necks so she probably doesn't mind. It's not something to worry about though. Their just having fun.

Answer 4

Your cats won't kill each other. I have two cats who enjoying attacking one another and getting rather rough. It's the way they play, even if it looks like they aren't having fun. I'm sure your older cat knocks around the little one when you aren't looking - you just happened to catch the retaliation. They'll be fine, who knows, maybe the older cat said something offensive to the younger cat :]] Don't punish them, it's harmless fun. Animals, especially cats, rough house with each other.

Answer 5

your cats are playing. If they were fighting there would be hissing howling and lots of noise and the cats would be going for other's "fat apron" ( their fatty stomachs) as well as around the face and chest.

Your old cat is also letting the younger know who's boss. Still it's done in a friendly manner.

Answer 6

There just playing around. But the older one is biting the younger one's neck to show dominance saying '' i was here first pay your dues respect''. It's called "Romping" it's normal. Sometimes it's a sign saying " Hey i don't want to play anymore back off ". But supervise it once in a while to make sure it's not getting to far.

Answer 7

If he is doing it as though he were breeding her.... this is most definately a show of dominance. Many animals do this in a friendly effort to make it very clear who the alpha is. Sounds like she is fairly new to your home and your older male is just trying to politely let he know who is in charge. If she is not aggressively responding, you have nothing to worry about. Unless he bites very hard, she is probably infact enjoying it. There are glands in the "scruff" of their necks that release endorphins when stimulated. Ever notice how calm and quiet kittens are when the mother carries them this way? He is most likely just telling her to behave in his house.

Answer 8

It does not matter that they are 'fixed' it is instinctual to nip each others neck in a pseudo mating manner. I have a neutered male [4yr] and his daughter [2 yr- whole{not neutered}]and he makes 'halfhearted' attempts at 'mating' and part of the ritual it to nip each others neck.
He also will nip me. It is his manner of showing his 'ownership' of me. Like a 'love bite', it doesn't hurt and never breaks the skin.
Cats show affection in their own way. We just have to 'interpret' what it all means..

Answer 9

it is playing and roughhousing this is the ex tint is to attack that's what wild cubs learn to do. first and foremost that's what they did with the brother and sister before they were separated at 8 or 9 weeks just make sure there is no blood drawn if they is break it up and call the vet.

Answer 10

It is playing, but it is also dominance. It's kinda like when you pet your cat and she/he will lick you then bite you...same thing. I wouldn't worry about it, it's nature.