Comments on: How To Train Your Cat Not To Bite

By: Linn Saffer

Linn Saffer — Mon, 01 May 2023 03:07:38 +0000

Read those articles already and others, more than once, no help. Her situation doesn’t seem to fit those parameters. That’s why I wrote you to possibly get more insight.

By: Melina Grin

Melina Grin — Mon, 01 May 2023 01:47:01 +0000

In reply to Linn Saffer.

Hi Linn,

Congratulations on your recent adoption.

It’s challenging to pinpoint the exact reason for the nipping unless you know her entire living history.

Perhaps she is trying to solicit your attention, convey her frustration or display misdirected predatory behavior.

There are lots of helpful tips and suggestions on how to stop the behavior at https://cats.com/cat-love-bites and https://cats.com/why-does-my-cat-bite-me

I hope it helps.
Melina

By: Linn Saffer

Linn Saffer — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 23:25:52 +0000

I adopted a 4 year old cat almost 2 months ago and she occasionally “love” bites me, but what I’ve read in your blog doesn’t describe my situation. She sits or lies next to me and rubs all over my thigh by moving around back and forth, and head butting my hand for me to pet her head, then she goes back to the rubbing. This can go on for quite awhile and during much of this time I stay still and just let her do her thing because I don’t want to overstimulate her. There’s no tail, wagging, stiff back, and when I can see them, no dilated eyes, and ears are in a normal position. The all of a sudden, she nips me. I am always surprised when this happens as there doesn’t seem to be any clues that she’s going to do this. From reading your article, it seems like she’s overstimulating herself. Why? Could it be from lack of attention from past living experiences? Please let me know what you think and how to stop this behavior.

By: Melina Grin

Melina Grin — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 22:36:36 +0000

In reply to Debra Schmidt.

Hi Debra,

Congratulations on your recent adoption.

Unfortunately, we don’t know much about her previous experiences so it will take her a little time to build trust with you. Most likely she wants attention or perhaps she bites sometimes due to frustration, maybe a previous caregiver reinforced the biting, so she continuously behaves that way. Since she is incredibly young and highly active, I would recommend keeping some jingling toys in your pocket, ready to be tossed away from your body when the need arises.

Cats are extremely sensitive and can feel our emotions nevertheless look after your well-being to ensure you can look after both cats. Learning as much as possible about cat body language, behavior and stressors in cats would also be beneficial.

Lastly, you can teach her a stationing cue like ‘sit on a stool’ using clicker training, which will keep her away from your legs while you reward her for positive behavior. I’ll email you the instructions later today.

Hope this helps
Melina

By: Debra Schmidt

Debra Schmidt — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 21:57:02 +0000

I have a year old (we think) adopted Gold Point ? Siamese. She’s been with us 4 months. We have a 8 yr old female Manx as well. Both are slowly being assimilated. The Siamese loves to chase and fetch. She’s very active kitty and I’m still learning about her. Seems to have had some prior negative experiences as she often drops her head and backs away a little, when I bend down to pet her. Doesn’t tolerate a lot of affection yet comes looking for it. She will come to my chair and get up on the arm and often bite me. She’ll bite my leg if I’m in the kitchen doing something. Both of which suggest she wants attention or wants something ? I’m not sure. I’m reading how to curtail this biting and I know I have to learn more about this. I have an anxiety disorder and I’m thinking she might be picking up on this. So I’m trying not to react even when she clamps down but I find it very difficult. Do you think her anxiety is being set off or made worse by mine? And how can I better deal with the situational incidents. Recognising when she’s about to, isn’t always practical as my attention is directed to a task I am doing. Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

By: Melina Grin

Melina Grin — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 02:43:49 +0000

In reply to Diane.

Hi Diane,

Great question!

I would start by figuring out the reason for the behavior. Is he playing in the water due to boredom, anxiety, perhaps he doesn’t like his current water bowl (is it too deep or narrow, in close proximity to his litter tray or food bowl, etc), there could be several reasons.

Try purchasing few types of sturdy ceramic or stainless steel water-fountains with as little spillage risk as possible instead of the usual bowls, here are some options: https://cats.com/best-cat-water-fountain, https://www.petcircle.com.au/search?searchTerm=ceramic%20water%20fountain, https://www.petcircle.com.au/product/drinkwell-pet-fountain-360/d360ss-au-17?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8KSv5NOo9QIVMplmAh2PewduEAQYASABEgIgKPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds, https://www.amazon.com.au/Petkit-Eversweet-Water-Drinking-Fountain/dp/B08FXKQ8HX/ref=asc_df_B08FXKQ8HX/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=466462883905&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12815962006163754951&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071830&hvtargid=pla-1046746291382&psc=1

Meanwhile till you figure out the reason and purchase a drinking station, redirect his energy to another type substrate and increase exercise plus play therapy.

Hope this helps
Melina

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 01:36:12 +0000

I have 2 (1 year+ old ) Birmans… one of them has decided he likes water and continually, despite all our efforts to come up with solutions, to play with and empty the water dish on the floor. It’s like a game to him. We’ve tried the metal bowls in a stand,, heavier bowls, non-skid bowls, even a small heavy travel bowl with a small hole in the top …. He manages to find a way to push them around until they are empty… which isn’t good for our second cat, who prefers to drink the water, not play in it!
Any suggestions to deter him from playing and dumping the water would be greatly appreciated!

Frustrated Cat Lover