Biting Behavior in Cats
Of all the habits a cat can develop, this is one of the most nasty and unpleasant habits. In this article are some useful tips to minimize and possibly stop the habit.
Biting is not a ‘normal’ feline behavior. Below are some of the causes and prevention of this habit. Cats are not like dogs, thus they are not difficult to train. Cats can sleep for twenty hours a day. Sometimes, a cat will pounce on your ankle as if it were a mouse, to show its predatory behavior. When they push you away while you are petting them, it is not because they dislike you but because they are not in the mood to show affection. When they want to, they will rub their bodies against you and walk over you. Cats have a series of strange habits but with time you will understand them. Biting is a very painful cat habit but even this has its reasons.
- Teething
Kittens develop teeth between the ages of 3 weeks to 8 months. At this stage, their biting urge is at its peak and they need chewable toys. This stage is best to teach the cat not to bite because if they learn at this stage, there would be no problem once they are mature. This is a difficult aspect of the training but with persistence, you can succeed.
- Hormones
Raging hormones can also be the cause of this behavior. Tomcats are territorial and may pounce on and even bite you if you trespass. Neutering at this age can be a good idea.
III. Declawing
Declawed cats have a higher biting tendency because of redirected aggression from other behaviors like scratching. The absence of their claws makes them feel defenseless and they may resort to biting at even the tiniest threat.
- Loneliness
Cats which live alone can get lonely. It is common for kittens to bite each other when they play and due to their thick fur which acts as a cushion, the kittens are not hurt or affected by these bites. If your kitten is alone, it may take you as another feline companion and bite you when you play. Another feline around will reduce this tendency.
- Attention
A bite can sometimes be a call for attention. If you are too busy, whether with work or watching TV and your cat is hungry or has littered its tray, it may bite you to attract your attention.
How to Stop this Habit
Yell loudly and say a bold ‘NO’ to the cat the minute it first bites you. When saying NO, you can also blow air on its face. If your cat loves your company, ignoring it for a while can help him realize biting is not fun.
Chewy toys can also be of help if your cat bites you. Declawed cats especially need to be assured that you are not a threat to them. While petting or playing with your cat, you need to move your hands away if suddenly he bites you. From its body language, you can know when an attack is coming. Ears laid back, dilated pupils and a flicking tail are signs he is in a foul mood and you should move away. Cats hate water so a water spray can be a useful tool. If you squirt water on him when he tries to bite you, he will soon refrain from the act.
Alternatively, being a ‘feline mom’ may not be such a bad idea. Grabbing the scruff of its neck, gently but firmly pushing it to the ground and saying NO when it bites you can also teach your cat not to bite.
It is not easy to control a cats biting behavior. While the above methods may work on some cats, others are persistent and stubborn and require extra effort. Cats like to do as they please. They are their own masters and may bite you, not out of hate, but because it is their natural instinct. After some time,
however, they will better understand different habits and their meanings. Thus, in training your cat, you need to be patient and diligent.