How do I teach a cat to stop biting and scratching?

Question

There's a cat owned by people down the street and most of the times it's nice and lets me pat him or her. Sometimes it bites when I pat it and holds me with the tips of it's claws. I let go and say no. Pat it again and it still does that.
There's another thing I can't work out. There's another cat (next doors) who sometimes comes to my door for a treat. Lately, for example, he did this.
I was bringing the shopping in and he just raced through the door a few seconds later, but instead of meowing for a treat, he ran straight out. I went to pat him but he didn't come closer, he just kept walking away little by little. until he reached next door.
Was he just racing in for the fun of it or was he agitated that day? Who knows.

Answer 1

Cat behaviorists say you should never encourage this type of behavior, even in playing. I have conditioned my cat not to do this by saying "no" sternly, they DO understand it or by saying "owwww", like it really hurts. She hardly ever does it anymore.
Or you could use a spray bottle of water.

Answer 2

Sometimes a female cat will become overstimulated by the petting and will bite at you. That's how they get a male cat off of them after mating! My cat does that sometimes. The best thing to do is walk away and quit petting it. I've come to recognize the signs in my cat so I can pull my hand back before I get bit or scratched. As for the one that ran into, and then out of, the house. Perhaps it was trying to get you next door to let it inside. My neighbor sometimes knocks on my door to say my kitty is looking in their window. She wants to come in!

Answer 3

She's playing. If you were a cat she'd be doing the same thing. How old is she? Cats stay kittenish until they are about 2 yrs old. Wear a slipper -- OR, keep a Cat Wand toy with you and when you see her coming over to your foot, distract her with the toy. Let her play with the toy. If she starts to bite your foot- get up without a word, and WALK away without saying ANYTHING. Take the toy with you becuz they are not safe to leave around with cats-- the cat can swallow something and choke. Siamese cats can get very attached to their humans, as they were the Temple Cats in the old days and mingled with humans as their daily "job". Learn how to bring out her gentler side and you will have a FRIEND for life.

Answer 4

It could be because you smell like other cats.
It is highly possible that they bite because they just don't want to be petted.
About the one holding you with its claws, all cats do this to people they like. When you hold them, this is their way of showing affection(like he is holding you too!)

The one that ran in , then out..he could have been very playful then ran in, then got scared and ran out.
To stop them from biting, try letting them sniff you first(when they rub their head on you, you can pet him a few times before he doesn't want to be petted anymore)
One way you can stop the claws from poking you would to wear gloves or use a towel to cover where they would put their paws on you, this way the claws go into the towel/glove and not you.
Good Luck

Answer 5

If your cat starts to bite you take a water bottle and lightly spray her. Cats, (most cats) hate water and will stop doing what they are doing when you spray them, If you keep doing this your cat will associate biting with getting sprayed with water and will no longer do it, Try that and see if that works.

Answer 6

when the cat starts to scratch you or bite just spray water on it and tell it NO and just the sound of your voice it will stop
thank you

Answer 7

cats are strange sometimes!!

Answer 8

pop it when it does