My cat keeps biting me! I think he's only playing as he keeps his claws in and doesn't fully bite down but does anyone know how to stop him from doing this?
I've tried spraying him with water when he does it, he stops temporarily but it hasn't permanently stopped him.
2007-02-19 20:56:15 · 18 answers · asked by interestiblez 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Seen as though i don't know the best answer yet, i will leave this one to the vote. Thanks for everyone's input.
2007-02-21 00:56:27 · update #1
sticky tape
2007-02-19 20:59:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
In her defense, these botes would be pretty painless if you had fur like a cat does. It is hard for them to understand that little nips such as they would give each other playfully are painful to us baldies.
I had the same problem although with my cat it was play aggression (she would bite when she wanted me to play with her). Combination of the spray bottle and proper reinforcement (NOT playing when she bit, but playing with her regulalry when she is well behaved) worked. I've also learned to read her body language and can tell when she's getting close to biting me at which point I warn her in a low tone of voice and she backs off.
Sounds like your cat does it to try and get food, so whatever you do don't feed her after she has bitten; scold or spray water on her and wait at least 30 minutes. On the other hand, give her extra food treats when she is well behaved.
You might also consider feeding her more often or watching for early (pre-biting) clues that she's hungry and responding to those so that she doesn't resort to biting.
2007-02-23 12:37:58 · answer #2 · answered by Miss Karen Roe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please avoid spraying. It's not that bad, and just my personal approach, but i think that spraying or any negative reinforcement/punishing may damage your relationship with the cat instead of discouraging the unwanted behaviour. Cats understand perfectly well but they can't be bothered with discipline and only do as they wish.
Cats who bite usually have not had the chance to play and socialise at an early age, when the game stops with their cat mother or siblings when the biting is too much.
See the biting as your kitty finding you irresistibly delicious - and wear leather gloves and socks at all time :-)
2007-02-19 22:07:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have four cats. I don't care what anyone says you can hit a cat. NOT HARD! When kittens and puppies play they learn what is okay and not by the reactions of their playmates. If a kitten or a puppy bites too hard the other puppies or kittens bite back and then ignore him.
If a kitten is disobeying it's mother. For instance if she wants to bathe him and he won't sit still, she'll bop him on the head.
I taught my cats to not bite so hard by giving a firm but not hard slap on the nose. First I say "OW!" loudly then, just with the tips of my fingers I slap the nose and I say loudly, "NO!" after a while they get the point. Some faster than others depending on how bright they are. Now you aren't trying to hurt the cat, just do something that's unplesent.
I've also grabbed a fang. I'd never hurt my kitties but they need to learn that they cannot do that. SO when I get a play bite that's too hard I grab a fang. Ooh they don't like that. But that also gets the idea across. If you do something I don't like I'll do something you don't like.
Sometimes I put my pointing finger in the kitty's mouth and wiggle it up and down very quickly and make grrrrrr sounds. This has become a game that my kitties like to play. Weird, I know, but they like it.
2007-02-19 21:12:54 · answer #4 · answered by Posey P 2 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Be consistent. Keep on spraying him when he bites. Never let a nip get by without a spray of water. Be diligent.
2007-02-19 21:08:46 · answer #5 · answered by mom to kittykitty 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stop playing with him when he bites, he will begin to realise when he bites the game is over, and he will stop in time.
2007-02-19 21:02:07 · answer #6 · answered by Alicat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i just remove my young cat from the room as soon as he does this...he is a really loving cat, but occassionaly he gets a bit rough, so i just put him out of the room and shut the door...he is beginning to realise that if he bites, he loses his spot in front of the fire!!!
2007-02-19 21:03:05 · answer #7 · answered by tizzy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I tap my cats ear that stopped the behaviour within a month . You have to say "No!" at the same time tho.
2007-02-19 22:31:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
He will grow out of it. That is just how they play. One thing I have done if they begin to hurt is grab them by the lower jaw and tell them firmly "NO". My cats have since grown out of that behaviour.
2007-02-19 21:00:18 · answer #9 · answered by devast725 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Keep spraying him with water. He will stop eventually
2007-02-19 21:01:21 · answer #10 · answered by Birdman 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Knock the crap out of him! I bet he stops them. What if he bites someone else. Eliminate this problem. Good Luck
2007-02-23 15:40:18 · answer #11 · answered by msprissysmom 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋