ill top up her food & she will go outside, come back in follow me again, Ill reach to pet her as shes rubbing on me & meowing. My cat is 2 1/2 years old and is causing me some frustration. I live alone so I welcomed the company. Not sure if we can salvage him. But be careful to play safely. I wish he would just walk away when he’s had enough, though! Favourite answer. Those not-very-ticklish cats, they’re the exception. I won’t be rubbing him, I’ll be just leaving him to rest but they he’ll suddenly try to bite my leg and at the end time his claws will be engaged even though he’s not using them. Those techniques may work to discourage other behaviors, but retraining aggression with aggression is doomed to fail. Working with the cat, understanding the cat – goes a long way toward producing desirable behaviors. Good luck…it sounds like you have chance to be adopted by a great kitty. The classic moment when this happens is when a cat owner is stroking her cat too strongly or on the belly for instance. As I continued the conversation, she started moaning, whipping her tail, and the biting became stronger. She will purr and nudge my head and loves it when I carry her around the house. That actually sounds like play aggression to me, Cassy. We have a fully grown cat (had him for just over a year now. How can we teach her to stop being so aggressive. Sheesh :) – user2805 Aug 14 '14 at 14:43. My female cat is now 15yrs but I think she was taken away from her mother way too young before learning cat etiquette off her. He was part of a largs cat population. If you’ve ruled that out, I recommend working with a feline behaviorist. By maintaining eye contact with you, your dog is probably trying to make sure you're on the lookout for predators while he's relieving himself. I pictured the hide and seek game he mentioned. So again, I thank you…keep up the good work. It’s never painful as it never breaks the skin and it seems like there’s no intention to actually hurt me. She is super cute, but something similar is happening to us. When reasonable and possible cat lovers should work with bird lovers on conservation. My 10 year old cat stiii will nibble on my hand or arm. We’ve noticed an issue with “love bites” with our 4 year old male kitty. a Warning..to what? Thank you so much. If he is an only cat, he may crave the attention he and his litter mates and other cats provided each other. The ones that exhibit petting aggression – they’re usually the friendly ones, the ones that seek out petting. She'll be in the hallway and I'll walk past her and it doesn't matter if I acknowledge her or not but a lot of times she'll jump straight up and grab my hand or arm and slide back to the floor! I’ve tried the spray bottle but that doesn’t seem to scare her anymore. We went with a “pet pet pet that’s all you get” motto for a while along with using a brush sometimes AND increasing her play time…and number of times per day. Watching for escalating aggressive signals from your cat can thwart real cat bites. It’s just about learning their individual signs. Author: Bridget F. Bridget is a long-time cat owner, cat sitter, and cat lover with years of feline research and hands-on experience. But now that you point out the signs, her tail does go all crazy. She will clamber over anything to get into my arms and has actually attacked me at times when I put her down. She has since latched onto the back of my arm as I was walking by her cat tree getting ready for work. Like how bite her back? 7 Answers. While the play between the cats is a great way for both cats to burn off excess energy, I would also try structured play therapy for both cats. I am not sure if it’s because she felt I was not paying attention to her? I detest his behavior but there is one person in the family who doesn’t want me to put him down. We want to stress, however, that cat parents should avoid letting cats bunny kick their hands, arms, feet, or legs. My cat does this all the time! Note the type of bite the Kit is giving you. And bitten me twice trying to give her moist food. This sounds like play aggression. Other times he’ll be cuddling up to me before bedtime and will rub his head against my hand and bite me. When she gets aggressive with me she MEANS it it’s very clearly not play but I have never found a consistent reason for her triggers. I solved this by putting her down gently the very moment she growled, then walked away. It’s a common question many cat owners have. Please comment here using either Facebook or WordPress (when available). I do foster care for cats and the new one perplexes me. It’s not me. 4 or 5 times of this in one evening and I’d had enough, so the attention stopped. If your cat bites and won't let go, grit your teeth and push your hand and arm in toward the bite to prompt your cat to release you. Gently, slowly stand up and she’ll leap down. But after tonight I just am not sure he finally started rubbing on me at feeding in the past if he saw my hand he clawed and bite me but tonight he let me rub his head for at least two minutes but once I stopped and he saw my hand he attacked me and drew lots of blood. Two or three session a day, 10-15 minutes each. This may encourage them to bite. It's one of my most favorite things! I try to play with him as much as possible,but he still likes to grab my legs and bite. If not, I’d take him to a vet as soon as you can. I have a four year old female cat, calico tortoise shell and she is very generally loving and follows me everywhere for affection. What people don’t realize is that while the muzzle contains the greatest number of whiskers, cats actually have them all over their bodies, on their paws, head, back… They’re smaller and finer, so not as easily seen, but if you look closely, they’re there. I have gotten a small cat tree and many toys for her to play with. In my house, the rule is simple: my cats’ teeth do not touch me, ever. I have an old (17 years) orang, male cat and for the past several years he does this biting thing, seemingly randomly, while I pet only his head. Pulling away from the bite stimulates it to bite even more. Hope you have a great New Year. The reason for this is that I don’t want to be bit, and I know how cats learn. We have only had her since she was about a year or two old so do not know her history but she could well be from a feral stock as there are many feral cats here in Cyprus. So, this article is helpful. He’s not a very affectionate cat, he does his own thing and is 100% not a ‘lap’ cat (he’ll jump off within 30 seconds of putting him on your lap). Why does my cat grab on to my leg from behind? Every night I walk to my room and he follows me and goes to town while I read on my iPad. Or bites on my arm. I wonder why the cat doesn’t just leave if he has had enough petting. You may want to repost this question here: http://consciouscat.net/2017/10/04/ask-cat-behaviorist-mikel-delgado-mikel-answers-august-september/ Our resident cat behaviorist Mikel Delgado will answer all questions posted in comments next month. Many cats get more sensitive toward their tails – you may have seen a cat who would stick his rump in the air if you petted him at the base of the tail – that’s a high stimulation spot. You can try ignoring the nipping to see if she stops/looks for other ways to get your attention. One issue is whether a colony caregiver can physically even get to the, This is Freckles, a 16-year-old female tortie. Also, watch the eyes, A calm, relaxed cat’s pupils will be narrow. We may, Feral colony cats may be outsmarted by the new Tomahawk live trap. I was wondering why she does that as well as why she seems to only be nice to me never attacks me always lays on me and comes to me when I call her name she honestly is a sweetheart with a mean side, the only time she ever gives me a warning meow is when she is on my lap and I get up to move and she gets really upset, she does not attack me but she will act like she will and will touch me but does not have her claws out, but with others if she is sitting near them and they get up to leave and it messes with where she is laying or if she is on them and they get up to move she attacks them and hisses. With our cat…we also just let her sit with on and with us without petting. The answer to this question is quite straightforward. Also, we used a brush for a while so we could get a better (and safer) read on her. I have a male kitten I found back in August as a newborn. I’m not certain that it’s petting aggression, but I think at times it might be. There doesn’t seem to be a reason for it as he’s been stimulated with his favourite game to tire him out and now he chooses to treat beside me but thresh out of nowhere he bites. When I'm walking down my hallway my cat follows me as always, but she always attacks my legs with her 2 front paws. That sounds like extreme attention getting behavior, Erin. What is causing that behavior as well as the one I mentioned in the beginning of this. Swiping and grabbing at a leg usually has the same intent behind it. He's marking you and therefore claiming you all for himself. They will get attached. It’s a non-verbal form of communication and is common among cats when they want to show a bit of love to those around them. 81% Upvoted. Back when I was active, Animal rescuers can’t save them all (even though some people think they can) and the stress is taking its toll on those dedicated to trying. I was lying with my head on his shoulder and arm across his chest. Cat Products Recommended by Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy, https://consciouscat.net/2012/03/29/squirt-bottles-punishment-and-cat-behavior/, https://consciouscat.net/2018/01/24/cat-bring-gifts/, https://consciouscat.net/2016/04/13/prevent-correct-play-aggression-cats/, https://consciouscat.net/2018/04/11/ask-the-cat-behaviorist-with-mikel-delgado-cat-urinating-outside-the-box-cat-attacks-for-no-reason-difficult-cat-to-cat-introductions-and-more/, https://consciouscat.net/2018/02/21/ask-the-cat-behaviorist-february-2018/, http://consciouscat.net/2017/10/04/ask-cat-behaviorist-mikel-delgado-mikel-answers-august-september/, http://consciouscat.net/2016/04/13/prevent-correct-play-aggression-cats/. The number one purpose that staring at you while doing number two serves for dogs is protection and security. Sometimes domestic cats see ankles and feet as prey or the lower part of a person’s leg. Relevance. “Why does my cat wrap around my arm?” If either of those questions sound familiar, there’s a very good reason for it. Viewed 30k times 6. 6 comments. Struggling to remove the arm makes it worse as a cat will tighten her grip. Proximity mostly. Your advice would be greatly appreciated! So, when a cat grabs ahold of their toys or your hand (ouch!) One is my siamese seal point, Gracie. 2. Followed by my own cat-like crying. Answer Save. And, you have to understand how they tick, if you’re going to change their behavior. Here’s more on why spray bottles don’t work: https://consciouscat.net/2012/03/29/squirt-bottles-punishment-and-cat-behavior/ For aggression this extreme, I would recommend working with a feline behaviorist. He’s been like this since the day we got him…..! any improvement? When prey tries to escape a cat hangs on harder, digging her claws into the prey item so that she does not lose it. Cats will grab a person’s arm as a form of affection and/or seeking attention. Please click here and send me an email if you'd like your email address to be added to the list of PoC subscribers. So now we are completely avoiding each other. You didn't give many details so an answer will have to be very broad. Trying to distract a cat who is giving your arm a good killing is futile. Sung. My Cat slatted to lick my hand, then…she opened all the way up, and pressed her teeth against my skin. But how can I help him. He’s only 7 months old but it’s a concern, I don’t see what I could be doing to cause it as he’s not being stimulated and has already had his ‘hunting’ play to expel his energy. Why they make the choices they make, do the things they do—it's all enigmatic to us mere humans. This thread is archived. He is healthy but now I am getting fried of him and thinking of putting him down.. The cat has had issues with aggression as long as I can remember. The motive behind the often-called "bunny kick" depends on the immediate circumstances. She did not draw blood as I shook her off immediately when I felt her body tense up. Why Does My Cat Gently Bite Me? But I love all animals. Cat's are the best. He doesn't like ... Noah Stryker is a renowned bird watcher. In the morning she nips me out of bed and to the food bowls. Punishing your cat when they bite only sometimes gives them mixed signals, and they won’t understand why you’re angry. Sitting on top of whatever I happen to be working on (laptop, notebooks, newspapers) 3. Then the cycle would start again. It hasn’t happened often but it does hurt (thankfully no blood). My cat does the same. Thanks. We all know how the story goes: you’re stroking your kitty with a soft touch, and then suddenly out of nowhere, you feel their sharp teeth piercing your skin. After I gently scratch her head or ears, she will turn around and bite my hand and kick at my arm with her claws out. Try to distract her with a toy before she does. Hi! She is fixed, has all her shots, has a nice scratching post … toys, 2 litter boxes and anything and everything a cat could want. Exactly. Just since he got old. It has to be in a certain spot, usually close to my face and chest. Don’t be surprised if she wants right back up fairly soon – cats recover quickly, and the petting aggressive ones seem to be the ones that want the contact to begin with. I don’t let it go as acceptable, I will always make sure he associates it with a negative experience for him. I’m at a loss and I am becoming more and more concerned as he seems to be doing it more and more often. 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