Cat Biting Problems

Medical Problems

• If your normally well-behaved cat suddenly lashes out and bites you, a medical condition could be the reason, so the first thing you should do is take your cat to see his veterinarian for a complete physical examination. According to Dr. Hines, often cats with painful arthritis in the spine or limbs, or cats who are experiencing so-called "ghost pains" originating from a neurological problem, will bite when touched or lifted, because they are in pain. These conditions can usually be successfully treated with medication, and your cat's biting issue will be resolved.

Play Biting

• As domesticated and spoiled as your feline friend is, she is still a predator at heart, and she still retains a primitive desire to hunt and attack her "prey," which more often than not is you. According to perfectpaws.com, it's not uncommon for cats to lie in wait under furniture hoping for a human foot to stroll by, or to pounce on their sleeping masters with sudden and playful fury. As cute as this play can be, it could become painful if allowed to continue. The best time to discourage play biting is during playtime; as soon as your cat begins to bite, stop play immediately. If your cat calms down, resume play. If she tries to bite again, get up and walk away. It is important to provide your cat with toys that she is allowed to bite, scratch and pounce upon.

Fear Biting

• If your cat is healthy and is still attempting to bite you, says Dr. Hines, he most likely had a rough start in life. Perhaps he was not properly socialized or was verbally or physically abused. Address the problem immediately so that your cat is not allowed to continue the behavior in your home. The best thing you can do is just leave your cat alone and allow him to feel safe and respected. Hold a kitty treat in your hand and wait for your cat to approach you. Once he is comfortable being near you, see if he will allow you to gently stroke his back or rub his ears. Talk sweetly to him the whole time, and end each petting session with a treat. Remember, you may be working against years of negative training, so be patient.

Redirected Aggression

• Redirected aggression occurs when your cat becomes agitated by a strange person or another animal, but takes her anger out on you or other animals in your home. It is common in cats, according to Dr. Hines. If you can detect the source of your cat's anger, remove it; for example, if she is agitated by two dogs playing outside, close your curtains. If her anger was directed at you, leave her alone and allow her to calm down. However, if she has become angry with another animal in your home, separate the animals into different rooms. Gently and carefully wrap your angry cat in a large towel; talk to her, calm her, praise her and give her a treat. When she has relaxed, you can bring the other animals back into the room.

Over-Stimulation Biting

• According to perfectpaws.com, this is a common yet confusing phenomenon in cats. One moment your cat is purring contentedly in your lap, and the next moment he is furious with you, baring teeth and claws. There could be several reasons for your kitty's sudden mood shift: Your hand stroked a sensitive spot; your cat is sexually aroused by the petting, and aggression is a normal reaction; or your cat is just tired of your company. Signs that your cat may be growing weary of your affection include flattened ears, twitching ears or tail, restlessness, or moving his head toward your hand. Dr. Hines advises that if you sense an attack is eminent, you may be able to preempt it with a treat. However, if treats don't work, at the first sign of agitation, let your cat go on his way.

Dominance Aggression

• Dominance aggression occurs when your cat does not recognize your authority and perceives you as just another member of the feline hierarchy. Often this problem will not show up until your cat reaches full maturity around the age of 2 years, and it typically occurs in cats with territorial temperaments. In cases of dominance aggression, your cat may hiss and bite if you sit on the couch next to her or attempt to remove her from your bed, or she may block a doorway as you try to enter. According to Dr. Hines, the most effective way to handle a cat with dominance aggression is to withhold attention and treats until he relaxes and approaches you in a calm and mannered way.

Punishment

• According to Dr. Hines, punishment and scolding are not effective methods of training your cat. Punishing an aggressive cat will only worsen the situation. Your cat will become more fearful and even more aggressive toward you and the other people and animals in your home. As mentioned many times in this article, the best reaction to being bitten by your cat is to walk away from her and withhold what she craves most: your time and attention. Hopefully she will realize that her life is more fun when she behaves.