What can I do to teach my new cat not to bite when I pick her up?

Question

We brought home a new cat today. She's one year old and the folks at the humane society described her as a "lover". I can easily believe this, since as long as we operate on her terms she will rub and purr and ask to be stroked for as long as we let her. The instant we make a move to pick her up, however, she becomes aggressive - hissing, batting (she has no front claws, so cannot claw us) and biting. She is healthy according to the shelter, and they did not give me a history of abuse.
I am sure that this is because she is uneasy in the new surroundings, and around my other cat. She's not been here 8 hours yet. But I would very much like to encourage the affection I see in her, and also be able to pick her up, at least to take care of such necessary things as back claw trimming or moving her from a room, without undue stress to her or injury to myself or my son. If anyone can tell me how to help her at least tolerate being lifted I would greatly appreciate it.

We brought home a new cat today. She's one year old and the folks at the humane society described her as a "lover". I can easily believe this, since as long as we operate on her terms she will rub and purr and ask to be stroked for as long as we let her. The instant we make a move to pick her up, however, she becomes aggressive - hissing, batting (she has no front claws, so cannot claw us) and biting. She is healthy according to the shelter, and they did not give me a history of abuse.
I am sure that this is because she is uneasy in the new surroundings, and around my other cat. She's not been here 8 hours yet. - note to the person accusing me of impatience: I am not asking to be able to pick her up TODAY. I am asking how to encourage this over time, which I thought I made fairly clear in the original question. I would prefer to know the best way to do this from the start, rather than muck around for a week, screw up and then have to start over. Thanks.

(please ignore the accidental pasting of the entire post, I am very tired tonight.)

Answer 1

8 hours!? I don't understand why people are so impatient when they bring new animals into the house.

I suggest giving her more time to adjust to her new home and family before you worry too much about this. If the HS says she's a lover, I'm sure the biting is just temporary. You've uprooted her and placed her in a strange house with strange people (and another cat). She's freaked out and probably just not in the mood to have all these new people touching and holding her.

I'd be willing to bet that in a few days, once she's used to everything, she won't bite anymore (except maybe in play like my cat). Just leave her alone for a while. Let her hide if she wants, and she'll come to you when she's ready. If anything, your insistence on picking her up at this early stage of your relationship could traumatize her and turn her into an aggressive cat.

If she still won't let you pick her up in a week or two, then perhaps you should call the HS and ask them for advice, since they know this particular cat better than anyone at this point.

Good Luck with your kitty :)

Edit: I've read your update, and I understand completely. But in my opinion, worrying after only 8 hours is impatient, unless it's a health/medical concern, which this is [probably] not. If you're too worried or tense, it could make it harder for the cat to feel relaxed around you. I still think she'll be fine in a couple of days, as long as nothing else stresses her out in that time.

Personally I don't know any cat that doesn't object at least a little to being trained, picked up, or generally poked and prodded. Training her to do anything is going to take some patience and conditioning.

A really basic training session might go like this: Wait for her to come to you (don't go chasing after her). Give her lots of love, petting, scratching, or amuse her with a toy. Have some treats nearby. After a few minutes, when she seems happy and calm, try picking her up. If she bites, put her down and say NO in a no-nonsense tone of voice, then walk away and ignore her for awhile. If she doesn't bite, praise her and give her a treat. Rinse and repeat. Ideally if you practice with her a few times each day, she'll eventually realize that you don't like it (and the treats and pettings stop) when she bites, and in turn the biting will stop. The speed with which an animal learns their lesson will vary, just as it does with humans.

I really am trying to help you. Good Luck.

Answer 2

If he was sexually mature when neutered, it is likely that his hormones have not completely faded yet. Almost, but not quite. I am surprised that hissing doesn't work. It could be he is still acting as an intact male. That will end in a couple more weeks if my first statement is correct. Are you giving him a vigorous hiss? One that gets his attention? So that he sees your teeth? You can say NO, and a gentle bop on the nose. You can cup your hand, say NO and push his face aside. You can give him a time out, by putting him in a small dark place for several minutes. When he is cuddling, watch his ears. If they go back, that is an attack signal. That means he is overstimulated.

Answer 3

I would say at this point, if you want to gain her trust, I wouldn't do anything that she doesn't like. If you try to pick her up whenever she gets close to you, you might eventually train her to not come near you because she doesn't want to be picked up. Over time, as she becomes more comfortable with you and her new surroundings, she may let you pick her up. Some cats just don't like it.

Answer 4

Don't pick her up yet as she is still upset with her new surrondings. Just bend down and pet her and give her a treat like a piece of turkey.Talk to her and pet her. In no time that cat will be sitting on your lap. Turkey is the magic word.

Answer 5

Well all kittens are like that. I don't know if you can teach them. I guess she doesn't want to be picked up. GOOD LUCK.