Biting communicates many things: Fear, hunger, pain, and insecurity. Biting is a way for animals to prevent others from touching them or moving them. Animals communicate the same feelings and needs through other behavior: hiding, begging, whining, growling, and staring. But people either miss these cues or need to handle the animals anyway.

Domesticated animals have lost some of their fight or flight responses in favor of trust in us, their caretakers. These animals do not bite often even when they are frightened or in pain. Many exotic pets, such as snakes and ferrets, have not been domesticated. They are still wild animals. Wild animals are suspicious of new people and places. They are quick to run from unusual situations and if they cannot escape, they bite.

You must teach a pet he or she can communicate without biting. If your pet is squirming to get down, put him down. If you do not want him loose, put him back in his cage. Otherwise he will believe that you do not understand he wants to get away. He will bite to make you let go. Unfortunately, he will learn that it works.

When you need to trim his nails or brush his coat, be properly prepared. Wrap him in a towel and get assistance if necessary. Your pet cannot bite when properly restrained. Therefore you won't have to "let go" until you are finished doing what you need to do. Your pet will understand the towel means biting is not an option. He will also understand when you do not have a towel, it is safe to trust you.

Ignore attempts by your pet to play by pulling at you with teeth or claws. Even though this may be cute, it confuses your pet about using his mouth. Stop playing anytime your pet insists on playing with his mouth. Reward your pet for communicating in positive ways for attention. Drop absolutely everything, if only for a moment, if your pet approaches you with a toy. This teaches your pets HOW to get attention in ways you can both live with. It also encourages the interesting behavior that we all look forward to when we adopt a pet.

Be careful about teaching the pet that biting gets a dramatic reaction or gets him returned to his cage. He may bite specifically to get these reactions. Also, learn to read your pet's behavior to prevent bites. For example, hamsters roll over when they are afraid. Snakes raise their head off the ground to threaten and skunks stomp their feet. In cases of emergency, when the animal must be handled in spite of warning behavior, use proper precautions: towels, gloves and assistance. Animals signal their intentions and you can learn to read your pet as he or she learns to read you.

You can design ways to accustom your pet to handling through target training modified for his species. First you must observe the behaviors your pet offers naturally and learn what your pet is willing to work to get; affection, food, a chance to play with you or a toy.

In the event that your pet does bite, remain as calm as possible. Use a towel if necessary to move your pet to a safe area. Be sure to get medical attention for yourself.