Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince is a veterinarian who studied animal science and received his doctorate in veterinary medicine. He currently owns several cat-friendly animal care centers that are certified by the American Association of Feline Practitioners. The article discusses how cat bites often occur when a cat no longer wants affection during petting sessions. It notes that cats provide warning signals like flattened ears and tail lashing to indicate discomfort. Training cats not to bite hands from a young age and directing play bites to toys can help prevent bites. Any punctures from bites should be disinfected.

1. UNDERSTANDING CAT BITES
Joel Todd Leroy Prince

2. INTRODUCTION
 Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince studied animal science during his time as an
undergraduate at Iowa State University. He went on to obtain a doctorate in
veterinary medicine from the University of Illinois, and is board-certified for
small-animal practice. Currently serving as a partner and veterinarian for animal
care centers in Illinois, Dr. Joel Todd Leroy Prince’s clinics are all cat-friendly and
certified by the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
The clinics also provide education for cat owners, and recently offered
information on how to read a cat’s biting behavior. Cat bites often happen during
a session of petting, when the cat has had enough and no longer wants
affection. This may seem sudden, but cats do have warning signals that owners
can get better at reading. Flattened ears and tail lashing are both indications that
the cat in uncomfortable. If the cat has stopped purring and is looking at your
hand, a bite may be imminent.
Training a cat to play without biting your hands from an early age is a very
helpful practice in preventing bites down the road. Directing play bites toward
toys is helpful. Remember to disinfect any wayward punctures from sharp cat or
kitten teeth.