how do you get a cat to stop bitting and scratching people?

Question

my cat is about 5 months and he bites and scratches how do i get him to stop?

Answer 1

I had my cat neutered when he was about 5 months old. He calmed down a lot after that. It didn't completely change his personality, he's still spunky and playful. I also trained him to use scratching pads by showing him the pad and finding some kind of toy for him to claw at toward the pad. Worked like a charm because he liked the way the scratching pad felt and used it. I also used apple bitter spray (you can buy from pet store) it helped a lot. The spray is not harmful but does not taste good to the cat. I would never declaw my cat it is inhumane. I have children visit sometimes who are not used to treating animals with kindness and I want my cat to be able to say hey stop pulling my tell etc......

Answer 2

Hello
I liked d_d answer. I will add my input as I have been a long time foster home for the humane society.
PLEASE DO NOT MUTALATE BY DECLAWING! The cat's behaviour can be fixed very simply. I had the exact behaviour in a few growing kittens over the years. Always have a soft toy in your hands equal to his size or half. A small towel will do. Keep something between the cats claws/teeth and your hands. The cat will use up his aggresstion on the toy. This may take lots of hours each day for a month but this aggresstion will lessen. You must make a loud sound like "NAA" that can be a signal that the domonate creature in his world is displeased with him. Cats do not like to be scolded and will change behaviour. You don't want them to get defensive or run away. You want them to feel loved protected and like children set boundaries. The best method is to distract their attention to something they like [a noisy toy or string]. If do no not have anything in your hands, lower your hands flat to floor so cat can't get hold. Same reason you can make a fist and see how difficult it is for cat to hurt you.
Please be patient you will be rewarded.

Answer 3

You must play with him more and be very gentle when you do. Cats see you as the parent and what you show them is how they will be. My cat OZZI was a real challenge at first. But now a year later when he does bite he does it so gently it is more loving than anything else. Never hit the cat or do anything that would shock him or frighten him. He will only remember the pain and the hurt. Kind of like we do!! You CAN train him properly but not like a dog. You have to be smart to train a cat well. Thats why most people can't do it. Give them thier space and don't pester them but let them know that you are the boss by a stern tone and a steady look into their eyes. It works I promise it does. And most of all let them know that they are loved and that their presence means something to you. Most cats KNOW that they are just temporary adornments or foolish gifts to someone who has no commitment to them. Make a promise to your cat that he will have a life with you no matter what and he WILL know if you mean it. Things get better after that!

Answer 4

What I did with my cat every time she scratched me is tap her foot and say toenails. To stop her biting I tapped her on the head and said NO very forcefully. She soon got the message.

Answer 5

When he bites and scratches tell him NO and grab him by the scruff and set him down on the floor. Do not play games with him that involve your hands. This will encourage him to bite.

Answer 6

Cats are really high strung and are very difficult to train. You are better off just keeping the cat away from people as you probably could never train it. You could also get it de-clawed to limit the damage.

Answer 7

Declaw the nails in the vet & ask the vet what to do about the biting!

Answer 8

spray it with a water squirter thing everytime it bites or scratches someone

Answer 9

poke its nose gently it will eventually stop or just do it the old fashoined way squirt bottle as u can telll dont listten to ivan the terrible and dont get rid of it

Answer 10

get a scratching post for him.