Biting cat...any ideas?

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Our kitten is now five months old, and still bites when she's in a playful mood (most of the time). I go to pet her, and she bites. I pick her up to love her, and she bites. My other cats never behaved this way, and it's depressing. When she's sleepy or if it's her idea, she is the most loving, sweet kitty! But more often than not, she's nasty. Anyone know of any behavior-modifying techniques that might work? We really do love her. Oh, she doesn't draw blood, I might add.

By Vicki on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 11:24 am:

No advice for you, but I hope someone else does. I wonder if it would be like kids biting...say no and put the kitty down?? Good Luck to you, those little kitty teeth are sharp!!!

By Janet on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 11:30 am:

Oh, we are constantly saying "NO!" and putting her down, but she's like a little boomerang, always coming back for more. Trouble is, dh likes to wrestle with her and be rough, so she's getting mixed signals. I've lectured my family on this, but they don't listen either! I wonder when she gets spayed if it'll make her more mellow.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 12:10 pm:

Normal kitten behavior, some more so than others. Does she have a scratching post and/or cat toys that are acceptable to bite and scratch? A firm, "No biting," and then redirection to cat post or toys usually did the trick for us. However, like a toddler, sometimes it may take awhile for the message to sink in. I agree your DH's wrestling is sending her mixed messages. She needs to learn it's OK to play (bite, scratch) with acceptable items, NOT people. Tell DH to STOP. He won't want a full grown cat wrestling with his arm! LOL! That's what she'll do if he continues to encourage it. I doubt you'll notice a difference in behavior after spaying.

Cats really are just like kids, only with fur.

By Paulas on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 06:17 pm:

Oh boy, can I relate! We have a 9 week old cat that is doing the same thing. She body slams our feet and bites at our ankles..it hurts! I wish I had some suggestions for you.

Maybe you can help me...does your cat clean itself? Ours does a little but NOT nearly enough. She still stinks!

By Sunny on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 12:28 pm:

Our younger cat (she's not a year yet) we took in off the street a few months ago. One minute she was the most affection little thing, but catch her in a bad mood and she would bite! Well, she still bites sometimes, but hasn't bitten me since we first brought her in the house. I think it's because everytime she bit me, I would sternly say 'no' while keeping her restrained, then I'd put her down.It took awhile, but she won't bite me anymore!

When we were first married, I had a cat that liked biting ankles. He would "attack" when you least expected it and would sometimes draw blood. One day, he bit my Dh and I thought he was going to kill him, Instead he took the cat and, while holding it by the scruff of its neck, gave it a bath (no soap, just water). Do you know that cat NEVER bit anyone else again? LOL I don't know that I'd recommend it, but it did the trick.

By Janet on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 12:28 pm:

Paula, ours was barely weaned when we got her, so it took her awhile to figure out the finer art of grooming. But she did, and is extremely clean now. 9 weeks is still young, so give her some time.

By Breann on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 12:36 pm:

Our cat is about that same age and has lately been biting a lot too. Same as you described....not to be mean, but when he's playing.

By Vicki on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 01:16 pm:

Do cats loose kitten teeth like dogs loose puppy teeth?? LOL Maybe she is teething???