How to Discipline a Scratching & Biting Cat

Observe your cat's body language. The way a cat carries its body, the position of the ears, tail and whiskers are all clues to its condition and mood. In play mode, cats generally appear relaxed and play silently. An offensive cat has ears up, hair standing on end, stiff legs, is facing you and staring directly at you. A defensive cat is likely crouching with the tail curled around its body. It will turn sideways and flatten its ears. In both offensive and defensive postures, the cat may strike with its claws, hiss and growl.

Look for causes during an aggressive episode and determine if it is playful or a real attack. If your kitten is scratching and biting, and you are its primary playmate, this is not considered true aggression. Kittens play with littermates when young and learn to sheath claws and avoid hard bites because the other kittens make it clear the behavior is unacceptable. Make a loud sound, hiss like a cat, or move away when a kitten gets too boisterous to teach it how to avoid biting and scratching you.

Stop using hands and feet as play toys for your cat. This is the most common mistake people make and leads to the majority of bites and scratches. Offer toys including interactive items like feathers attached to a stick. If the cat accidentally scratches or bites during play, hiss or yowl and move away. The cat will soon understand that playtime means no claws or teeth are involved.

Spray the cat with water or compressed air -- such as the type used to clean computer keyboards -- if all other methods of discipline have failed to stop aggressive behaviors. When the cat reacts by stopping, toss a toy away from you to re-direct its play.

Minimize your cat's exposure to things or people that frighten it. Biting and scratching are common reactions in a fearful cat. Provide a safe haven for the cat to go to when it's upset or frightened and do not disturb it.