My cat likes to bite and scratch, I was told that is because she is over stimulated while petting. I've had her a month. She loves to play and eat. She is between 1-2 years old. I don't want a cat for the next 15 years that will bite all the time how do I get her to stop. She wants to play and eat she was food deprived after being thrown out. She's about 1-1 1/2 years old . I don't want the biting to continue. ?
I've had cats for 20 I never had this issue. Help .
Hi Melina,
That's what I was told that petting her over stimulated her and she bites. If you pet her back she will bite you, if you pick her up. I was told she's a love bug. But she always tries to bite me and my husband. If she had enough petting she goes to bite you. Just when I think she's getting better, she bitting again. My last cat took almost a year to really warm up and trust us. She is the only cat here everything is hers she doesn't have to share anything. After 6 weeks and trying to pet her she tries to bite us. Do you think she will ever change.
Thank you any and all suggestions are welcomed .
@sashasmom
Thank you for the additional feedback.
It's important to understand that she may become more or less tolerant as she matures socially. To avoid causing unnecessary stress, it's best to minimize picking her up until she's fully settled in her new environment and with the entire family.
Let her choose whether to approach or interact with you when interacting with her. You can offer a stretched finger or a loose, clasped fist. Alternatively, offer an open hand with the palm facing upwards, allowing her to smell or rub against the skin if she wishes to interact. Cats prefer choice and control, so we must respect their wishes if they choose not to interact.
When petting her, focus on touching around the head and face, and avoid sensitive areas like the belly, back, and tail. After petting, observe her response. If she moves towards you relaxed, continue with the interaction. If it moves away, stop the interaction.
Cats often prefer gentle petting with fingers or hands towards the fur, including scratching with fingertips under the chin and cheeks. Most cats favor short strokes, while others like slower, longer pats. Experiment to see which one she prefers.
Always be cautious, as even confident social cats may sometimes not be in the mood for petting.
I hope this helps!
Melina
Good Morning Melina,
Thank you for the good advice, she starting to follow me around the house if I go in the bathroom she pushes the door open and rubbing against my legs and wants to be petted. The woman who gave me her rescued her and said she was a love bug so far we haven't seen it, she is the only animal here and doesn't have to share her food she's been better with me but not with my husband I told him let her come to you. Maybe you feed her not just me she likes to play with him I've had her 7 weeks now and I guess she needs more time. . She gets plenty of love and attention, when I talk to her she turns away but when she wants to eat she runs to the kitchen and squeaks and dancing around for her meals. I will use your suggestion and see what happens. Thanks again.
Charlene
Well this week was better she rubs against my legs and walks in-between them, she came to me purring and wanted to be petted I was shocked. She follows me around the house and she once opened her mouth but I said no I'll bite you back and she stopped. I know she doesn't like to be home alone. She is still exploring the house but she seems to have changed for the better of course she could change on a dime to. Thank you for your advice I appreciate it.
@sashasmom Thank you so much for following my guidance and appreciation.
Sending lots of love and healing to you both.
Melina
ignore her when she bite or scratch give her the silent treatment and she will stop with the scratch and bite trust me works for me many times
@sashasmom
Congratulations on your recent adoption, and thank you for reaching out. I'm sorry to hear about the biting.
To enable me to provide you with the most accurate information, can you describe what type of interaction you're having with your cat and why you believe it's petting-induced? Is it only when you stroke her, or does she bite other times?
Thanks
Melina