Cat Eating Hair: Why Does My Cat Eat My Hair?

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Scott is a professional blogger with 12+ years of experience in writing, and holds an MA in anthropology. He has two cats as housemates. Also, Scott is passionate to research on pet-related topics such as dog training, puppy feeding, and cat health.

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Updated on: 05/18/2021

One of the most common questions that many pet owners have when they get cats is why felines have a tendency to bite at a human hair. You’ve likely seen your cat get close to your face when they feel particularly affectionate and might even get to the point where they start to bite at your hair.

Of course, if your pet regularly starts to chew on your hair, there is no cause for alarm as this is perfectly normal behavior. However, understanding why your pet eats your hair can be essential to understanding feline behavior and becoming a better pet parent. In this article, were going to cover some answers to the reasons why your pet eats hair. And it will help you learn more about the motivation behind your furry friend.

Photo by Sam Lion from Pexels

Why Do Cats Eat Human Hair?

There is a wide range of reasons for pets to take a look at eating foods that are not in their typical diet. You likely discourage your kitty from eating a wide range of things that they can get their hands on, but human hair is a fairly typical target for cats because of several top reasons. If you have ever wondered why your cat is eating human curls, here are some of the main reasons your pet might eat hair:

1. Social

Cats will often bite when they are socializing. Licking and chewing are a part of how many pets communicate and get social with one another. When your cat decides to eat your hair, it symbolizes that they like you and want to connect with you. Likewise, when your cat decides to eat your curls or lick along your face, they show their affection.

READ MORE: Why Does My Cat Lick My Nose?

2. Because of Stress or for Soothing themselves

When your pet is biting at your curls, it can also sign that they are grooming to relieve stress. Also, when your kitty runs out of coat to groom on themselves, they can move to your hair. Cats often find grooming to be a de-stressor, and when they don’t have a chance to groom themselves, it often can harm their wellbeing. So allowing them to groom their curls can be a great way to manage their stress levels.

3. Thyroid Gland Problems

Hyperthyroidism can often be another reason cats may reach out and consider biting you or chewing at your hair. In addition, older cats who feel like they have to chew curls more often can often experience this condition’s symptoms. Other signs of thyroid gland issues can be when your pet is chewing items like fabric, paper, objects, or chewing intensely on the carpet.

4. For fun and enjoyment

Your cats may take enjoyment in grooming and fun from grooming and playing with your hair. Many cats may find the action especially fun when you give them a positive reaction as well. Likewise, a pet may think that what is going on is a source of play and an excellent way for the two of you to keep bonding together.

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5. To get your attention

Your cat may turn to use your curls to get your attention. When your pet decides that it wants your attention, it may start to grab at your hair or pull on your hair to get the attention that it is craving. If you regularly ignore your pet, it is possible that giving them some attention can stop the behavior.

6. To wake you up quickly

As well as getting your attention, your cat may bite your curls as one of the easiest methods they can use to wake you up. As most felines are nocturnal, finding creative ways to wake you up will ensure that they will be fed sooner. For example, using hair pulling can be a clever tactic to get you up faster, so you can pay attention to them and provide them more shortly.

Photo by Romain Chollet on Unsplash

READ MORE: Signs Your Cat Loves You

How to stop your Cat from chewing hair?

If you have gotten tired of your cat chewing on your curls or approaching you to chew on your hair, there are some top strategies that you can use to stop your kitty from regularly chewing on your hair. If you are tired of the behavior, and you would like to discourage your pet from chewing on your curls in the future, here are some of the best ways that you can stop your pet from chewing and stop the behavior from happening:

1. Walk away when they chew

If your pet is starting to chew your hair, try not to encourage the behavior. If you can get up and put some distance between you and your pet, you will be able to stop the behavior from happening. It might be a bit of work, and it might feel like you are being a tough pet parent, but it is required for you to get past the issue.

2. Don’t get so close to your cat and change the way you approach

If you usually put your face close to your pet when you are petting them, this is the perfect opportunity for your cat to start eating your curls. Rather than getting stuck with your hair being ingested, you can make sure that you will be able to pet your cat without having them lick or bite your hair too much. By ensuring that you are not getting too close to your pet as you approach them, you can protect yourself from experience and enjoy a better bond with your family friend.

3. Provide safe areas for them to play by cleaning up any hair you may leave around

If you find that your pet goes out seeking your curls on the carpet or on your couch and surfaces, you will need to improve your cleaning standards and clean up any hair that you may have left around. Cleaning up hair before your pet has a chance to pick it up can make sure that you can eliminate the temptation your cat might have from eating your curls. In addition, getting rid of spots where the hair could be on the ground, and the chance that your pet could regularly be picking up curls can be critical to preventing the hair gathering and chewing that might occur throughout your home.

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4. Distract them from the situation

A pet can also be distracted away from the situation. For example, when they start to engage in hair biting or hair-pulling behavior, you can distract them with items like a toy, food, and more. Choosing to distract your cat when they start to engage in hair pulling will make sure that they learn new behaviors and take them out of situations where they might be tempted to pull at your curls.

5. Change your hair products so that you don’t experience the same amount of hair fallout

If your cats are looking around for hair in your house to pick up, finding new products that enhance the strength of your hair can prevent curls fallout and make sure that your pets will not be regularly eating your hair as they find it. Changing your hair products can strengthen your hair and make sure that hair loss will not choke your cat or cause issues with their health.

6. Take your cat to the vet to determine they have digestive problems

When pets develop problems with their digestion, they can often start to experience hair biting or excessive hairballs. If you have noticed curls biting as a newly learned behavior, you should likely consider going to the vet’s office to learn more about your cat’s digestion. Knowing more about the current health of your feline friend and if they are experiencing any difficulty can make sure that you have all the knowledge required to decide on their curls biting behavior.

If you find that behavior is continuing, try and curb this behavior and prepare a strategy to keep your curls from being bitten and keep your pet healthy!

FAQ:

Why is my Cat biting and pulling my hair?

If you find that your cat is biting and pulling at your hair, there are several excellent explanations. Whether it is for a health reason or your pet is seeking affection, there are multiple reasons why your cat biting at your hair can be explained. A cat biting human hair is pretty standard, and it doesn’t have to be a harmful practice for you to experience.

How do I get my Cat to stop eating my hair?

There are multiple methods to get your cat to stop eating your hair. By discouraging this behavior, you can find a better balance with your cat and healthier experiences for your cat to try out as they are trying to cut out stress and feel better. However, taking the chance to get your cat to stop eating your hair will often require ongoing work and plenty of dedication in working with your cat to curb the behavior.

Is it bad for Cats to eat human hair?

Cats have a stomach that can process their hair as well as our own. The only real danger to your cat eating human hair comes from the products you may use in your hair, as well as an increased chance for instances of hairballs. Rather than taking the risk, it is usually best to avoid the cat overeating your hair over time.

Why does my Cat bite my hair while I sleep?

If your cat is biting your hair as you sleep, it is likely a sign you need to pay attention to them. Felines are traditionally a nocturnal creature, so having them bite at your hair while you are asleep can simply be a sign to see if they can get you to wake up. Letting your cat continue to grind your hair as you are asleep can make sleeping difficult, so it is usually best to consider the option of keeping your cat out of your room to discourage the behavior if it is disturbing your night sleep.