My 1 1/2 yo male, Solo, has a bitting problem. He has done it ever since I adopted him 5 months ago. Not only does he pull off clumps of fur, which isn't the problem, but he bites at my hands. He won't do it to my husbands when he pets him, however, he will bit my hand, somethimes, when I pet him. I will be petting him, then he will bite me, I flick his nose or tell him no, and then he will try and rub his cheeks on me and want more pets. Why does he bite me? I am his favorite out of my husband and myself..
Oh and is there anything that I can do to get him to stop the bitting? He doesn't just bite, he bites and then thrashes his head around, like he is trying to pull of flesh.
He is a completely indoor cat and is up to date on all his shots and he gets along GREAT with the other two cats in the house and is great with my husband and myself, he just likes to bite me..
2007-10-04 01:22:15 · 12 answers · asked by Jessica 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
He acts completely normal when he bites. His tail doesn't swish around and his ears don't pin back. He doesn't seem annoyed at all. Now he was a stray cat, before I adopted him from the shelter, but he has adapted WONDERFULLY..
As for the fur pulling, it is a nervous tick he has, he has been to the vet about it and the vet isn't sure why he does it. He has nothing physically wrong with him, for him to do it....
2007-10-04 01:43:50 · update #1
You stated he rubs his cheeks on you after he bites and that you're his favorite person. There you go. Cats have scent glands in their cheeks and mark territory like that, so he's basically telling you that you're his gigantic cat toy and that you belong to him. Pulling his own hair out is indicative of either an extremely nervous cat or an allergy.
Cat training isn't complicated. When he starts biting, tell him no in a firm, descending tone of voice, get up and walk away for a few minutes. You can tap him lightly on the head or hold him gently by the scruff of the neck to tell him no in catspeak. Continuing to sit there and let him bite you despite your protests only encourages him to keep on biting. Removing the play source (you) is punishment of a non-violent nature. He will get the message eventually, but you have to be consistent and intolerant of biting behavior from now on.
Edit - I've given this a little more thought and have some additional input.
Many first-time cat owners are under the mistaken impression that the only time a cat will bond with you is during play. This is absolutely not true. Cuddling, whispering and very gentle touching makes for a much more balanced animal. Based on the problem you've described above, it appears that your only contact with your pet is during play, so you've basically taught him that biting is all right and he doesn't know any other form of interaction with you.
2007-10-04 01:51:20 · answer #1 · answered by Leslie L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had three cats that would gently bite at hands when being petted. We asked our vet and she said that some cats use biting as a way of showing pleasure, instead of purring or kneading their claws.
It sounds like this is more of a violent play/kill type bite, which could be coming from aggression or a desire to play. All of my cats love to treat my hand/arm like an animal and bite my hand while kicking with the back feet. The best thing I have found to stop them is to gently pull at the nape of their neck, like a mother cat carrying a kitten. If you're not rough, it won't hurt them, but can remind them that you're the boss, also, they seem to instantly calm down a little so I can remove my hand and indicate that playtime is over.
Spraying with water is another option if you want this to stop completely, but this doesn't work on all cats. My three older cats hate it, but the younger cat seems to enjoy the water on his face.
I hope you find something that helps! Good luck--or start wearing gloves?
2007-10-04 10:26:43 · answer #2 · answered by Aria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fur-pulling is a neurosis that needs to be stopped. I am not sure if the vets still use valium for that sort of behavior, but I do know that medicating the cat for long enough to break the cycle (habit of pulling) is the usual treatment.
When he bites you, he's telling you he loves you.
He's getting overstimulated, and you need to keep your petting sessions brief and calm.
Stop reprimading him for it physically. For all he knows, that's a positive response. Water bottle is effective, especialy with a firm "NO" or "Cool It". Eventually he'll associate the words with the squirt and will only need to hear the words & see the bottle to stop.
Love bites. It's misdirected sexual behavior; when a male is interested in breeding or is being bred he bites the female, usually around the neck. He's neutered but still has some of the behaviors instinctively.
Work with him reasonably on it and all will be well.
2007-10-04 08:52:55 · answer #3 · answered by Mimi B 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't take it personally, Petting aggression in cats is absolutely normal. Most adult wild cats don't touch each other much except for fighting and sexual episodes. So even though the cats seems content, it may bite.
The key signal to watch for is a twitching tail and a body that starts to tense up. Ears may turn or flicker and the cat's head may also turn toward your hand. This is a classic predatory response and the cat's way of telling you to IMMEDIATELY stop petting and end the session.
2007-10-04 08:39:54 · answer #4 · answered by specail ed 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, why isn't pulling off clumps of fur a problem? To me that is the bigger problem.
In any event to answer your question there are too reasons for the biting. One is a love bite but the one I believe is the right answer is that he is getting over stimulated. You need to watch his tail and when it is swishing to stop petting him..
He will not relate you flicking his nose to the biting
2007-10-04 08:38:41 · answer #5 · answered by Ken 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've been told and have experienced first hand that cat biting if a form of communication. My cat only bites me when I pet him in the wrong places. He hates to be rubbed or scratched near his tail or insides of his legs. Once in a while while I pet him and rub around his ears he'll gently bite at my hand as if to say thanks that feels great.
2007-10-04 10:18:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My guess is he want to play. I had a kitty who did this he would also go after my toes if I wore flipflops. He never did the hair pulling thing and in the end he moved to my neighbors farm. Tom cats will do that in farm country.
2007-10-04 11:42:02 · answer #7 · answered by missgigglebunny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I have a Cat Fanciers Assoc. book that says gentle biting (right after or during play) is a cat's way of kissing you - equiv. of a dog lick.
2007-10-04 09:14:18 · answer #8 · answered by sandy81676 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My cat would try to bite when he wanted to be petted more. We finally started grabbing the top of his head to restrain him ( but not enough to hurt him ). Now he does it every great once in a while so we have to remind him what happens. Good luck.
2007-10-04 08:31:52 · answer #9 · answered by renee1724 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
he either wants to play or he doesnt like being pet
2007-10-04 08:32:34 · answer #10 · answered by ben 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋