This is not a question you would usually see, but I am so desperate lately and have been asking anyone I can!
I have a 10 month old cat. She is fairly loving and sweet, likes attention, and not what I would call a "typical" cat. Lately I have been having increased problems with her aggression. I can be minding my own business, making a meal or something, and she will come up and bite my foot, bite my calf or bite my ankle. I have tried to see if it was because of a dirty litter box, no food or water..but that doesn't seem to be the problem. I started off simply as her coming up and biting, but now she has started to follow me around and do the same thing.
The aggression is not accompanied by hissing or a frantically moving tail from what I see. So, she doesn't seem to be upset when she does it. However, I am not ready to believe this is her version of playing, since she doesn't bite my live-in boyfriend at all. Well, unless she is truly pissed at him (and she shows signs of being very upset). She does not behave the same way around him as she does me. She seems to have this thing against me. It's upsetting, and frustrating.
We want to come up with a way of disciplining this cat who shows some form of aggression to it's owners. I have read books and such and have found no information to go on.
Do any of you have suggestions?
Dune
This is not aggression - it's a cat who asks for attention by biting. There are a couple of things you can do. Keep a spray bottle with water handy, and any time she bites, mist her in the face. It's very unpleasant but obviously won't harm her, and it should help her change her behavior. Once she runs off and calms down, go over and pet her and give her positive attention for not biting in that moment.
Also, give her lots of positive attention when she isn't biting you. When you see her sitting nicely, sleeping, looking out the window, etc., pet her and give her lots of praise.
Make sure she has toys she can bite and drag around. Cats have a natural hunting instinct, and if you get her some feathers on a rope she'll love it.
1One of my cats was a monster when he was a kitten. I did the whole spray with a water bottle thing until he would actually seek out the bottle for a quick drink. He would literally sit there and let me squirt it in his mouth. Very cute but not effective.
2He basically grew out of acting out and calmed down a lot after he was fixed. Having other cats around helped a lot too. He would spend his time hunting and ambushing them instead of ankles and toes.
It's really hard to discipline a cat. You basically have to have eyes on the back of your head and try to stop the biting before it happens. I'm sure you've seen your cats mean face before. Sounds crazy but if you stare down your cat and mimic that mean face she might back down or so my vet said anyway.
My cats are 6 and 7 and the water bottle still works when they develop new habits I don't approve of...
3My vet said to never spray them in the face because the water can get into their ears and cause infections. Anyway, I use a water bottle with my cats when they misbehave, and it works for one and not the other.
It does sound like your cat wants attention. Don't react positively to that behavior ever.
Do you spend lots of time with your cat hanging out? It might be lonely. I would personally never have 1 cat unless it was an adult used to being alone.
4my dog does the same thing when he wants attention. your cat doesnt bite your boyfriend unless she's mad because she doesn't care about getting attention from him. its you that she wants. i agree with luisa and the water bottle when she bites and then going over to her and being affectionate with her when she is being good. if this behavior continues consider getting a trainer.
5I spray my cat on her body, not the face. But this is only when she gets on top of the tables. Which are a no-no.
6My first cat did the same thing when she was little- about right at the age your cat is. After a trip to the vet (where they called her hostile!!
) , I got another kitten (vet's suggestion). Sure enough, she directed all her biting- which was really
playing- to him. They get along great and she no longer exhibits that behavior to me or anyone, is just the sweet cat she was before that stage. She and her brother are friends and dont fight
So in all, yes the cat needs attention, but what it probably really needs is
something to do when you arent there. I didnt want to get a second cat, but it has really worked out for the best- for me and them!!
7mine does the biting thing as well. i've noticed she does it to get my attention because she likes to play a lot. i either tire her out by playing 'belties' or i use a firm 'no!' her to get her to stop. when she notices i'm not in the playing mood, she'll give up until next time.
8yes some cats when they aren't "typical" cats need extra attention. I would go to a vet or a shelter and speak with someone that specializes in feline behavior and maybe they could help you. I also think that getting another cat to play with will make her less needy with you and she will be able to redirect her aggression with a companion.
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