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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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We have a nineteen week old cat who just won't stop biting!!
Can be lying being stroked one minute and the next he's biting, griping round our arms and kicking with his back legs!!
It's getting bloody painful now and we're all walking round with a multitude of scars and teeth marks 
Never had a kitty before so we're at a loss here  Any ideas??
He's still very cute and lovable though  |
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He just thinks he's playing, which is all part of honing hunting skills.
When he does it.. just say no firmly and put him on the floor, gently of course. Keep doing that and eventually he'll get the idea 
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Simples,
when the cat does something you want, you reward it, by talk and soft slow gentle strokes,
when the cat does something you don't want, keep silent, don't yelp or react in any way, just stand up and walk away, the scratching and biting are for attention, the same as a baby crying for attention,
At the moment when it bites or scratches you yelp or shout or curse, so you are giving the cat attention, so its getting what it wants. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
Is there anywhere particular you touch him that triggers it?
A lot of cats don't like their stomachs touched. Even if they roll it isn't necessarily an invitation. Some don't like their tails touched. Some don't like hands approaching them from the front but are ok if the hand comes from behind them.
He may also be hurt. It would be a good idea to get him checked at the vet. Suddenly lashing out can be the result of pain or discomfort.
Does he start to flick his tail before he does it? That's a sign of irritation.
Pay attention to when he does it and watch his body language for signs warning he's not happy. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"Simples,
when the cat does something you want, you reward it, by talk and soft slow gentle strokes,
when the cat does something you don't want, keep silent, don't yelp or react in any way, just stand up and walk away, the scratching and biting are for attention, the same as a baby crying for attention,
At the moment when it bites or scratches you yelp or shout or curse, so you are giving the cat attention, so its getting what it wants."
Animals learn better and faster from praising good behaviour (positive reinforcement) than punishing bad. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Is there a specific place that you stroke that sets him off? x
sometimes on the sofa "
Lol......
But nope, doesn't matter where he's stroked it can set him off.
I'll look out for the tail etc though  |
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"Is there a specific place that you stroke that sets him off? x
sometimes on the sofa "
lol Been through it all with my 4 cats.. all old and non aggressive now. Except when my very large hairy dog tries to sniff their butts... he gets an occasional wallop from them  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Is there a specific place that you stroke that sets him off? x
sometimes on the sofa "
Haha!
I was thinking, most cats don't like their tummies stroked as that is where they are most vulnerable. Could be a natural reflex to protect himself.
I can touch my cats tummy but only because he now trusts me to x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I pay attention to my cats eyes, she can be loveable,cuddly for a limited time..purring away, then has enough and scratches or bites, but u can see the change in her eyes most of the time
I just put it down to her being bossy to be honest |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I pay attention to my cats eyes, she can be loveable,cuddly for a limited time..purring away, then has enough and scratches or bites, but u can see the change in her eyes most of the time
I just put it down to her being bossy to be honest"
Oh a feline Domme...I like  lol |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I am a dog person, never had a lot of time for cats, they can be very independent and only want cuddles, when they want cuddles.
"
You would love my Marmy cat, he thinks he is a dog  |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
People often mistake a cat rolling as an invitation to stroke the tummy, and then get savaged.
Cats can roll submissively, often when meeting strangers. They're saying "I'm a nice, friendly cat. Please don't hurt me." Going to stroke their tummy is an "attack" despite them offering peace so they'll fight back.
The submissive roll and the roll soliciting tummy rubs are different but it can be difficult to tell, especially if you don't know the cat well. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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To be honest , its about time and looking for the signs, I also have shire horses, gentle giants, but they dislike certain things, so you just have to watch for signs, the smaller the animal, the faster their reactions, |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"I pay attention to my cats eyes, she can be loveable,cuddly for a limited time..purring away, then has enough and scratches or bites, but u can see the change in her eyes most of the time
I just put it down to her being bossy to be honest"
Eyes, ears and tail are the main indicators of mood. |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"I am a dog person, never had a lot of time for cats, they can be very independent and only want cuddles, when they want cuddles.
We train dogs, cats train us! lol "
Dogs have owners, cats have staff.  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"People often mistake a cat rolling as an invitation to stroke the tummy, and then get savaged.
Cats can roll submissively, often when meeting strangers. They're saying "I'm a nice, friendly cat. Please don't hurt me." Going to stroke their tummy is an "attack" despite them offering peace so they'll fight back.
The submissive roll and the roll soliciting tummy rubs are different but it can be difficult to tell, especially if you don't know the cat well."
He often lies on his side showing his tummy, with all four paws out when we walk towards him |
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"I am a dog person, never had a lot of time for cats, they can be very independent and only want cuddles, when they want cuddles.
We train dogs, cats train us! lol
Dogs have owners, cats have staff. "
So true!! I am a well trained pet to my dog and cats tho  |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
Have a read up about cat behaviour.
Most cats hate being stared at as it's aggressive behaviour.
A slow blink is a sign to try to establish friendship and trust. If your cat slow blinks at you, return the blink. If you slow blink at them and they return it that's good. They may come to you in response to a slow blink.
Yawning is a sign of trust.
Cat psychology is fascinating. But not all cats follow all the 'rules'. Remember they are all individuals. |
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"Have a read up about cat behaviour.
Most cats hate being stared at as it's aggressive behaviour.
A slow blink is a sign to try to establish friendship and trust. If your cat slow blinks at you, return the blink. If you slow blink at them and they return it that's good. They may come to you in response to a slow blink.
Yawning is a sign of trust.
Cat psychology is fascinating. But not all cats follow all the 'rules'. Remember they are all individuals. "
lol usually they make the rules  But yea.. bang on with the rest. Pointing at them is really threatening too. xx |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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He's going through the terrible two's....its just a wee phase. All 5 of mine were biters....used to clamp onto my forearm and bite and scratch it to blazes. Now they are all wee treasures. How many kitties qualify you as "mad cat woman"? Am i there yet? Be honest....... |
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"He's going through the terrible two's....its just a wee phase. All 5 of mine were biters....used to clamp onto my forearm and bite and scratch it to blazes. Now they are all wee treasures. How many kitties qualify you as "mad cat woman"? Am i there yet? Be honest....... "
lol I had 5 till one died.. pretty sure I'm a mad cat woman... but does it still count if i got a big dog too? |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"He's going through the terrible two's....its just a wee phase. All 5 of mine were biters....used to clamp onto my forearm and bite and scratch it to blazes. Now they are all wee treasures. How many kitties qualify you as "mad cat woman"? Am i there yet? Be honest....... "
Yup...you're there |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Have a read up about cat behaviour.
Most cats hate being stared at as it's aggressive behaviour.
A slow blink is a sign to try to establish friendship and trust. If your cat slow blinks at you, return the blink. If you slow blink at them and they return it that's good. They may come to you in response to a slow blink.
Yawning is a sign of trust.
Cat psychology is fascinating. But not all cats follow all the 'rules'. Remember they are all individuals. "
Do you think he could have deep rooted psychological problems after us thinking he was a girl, calling him Lola and buying him pink everything?? lol
A trip to the vets revealed he was a boy, we were all in shock and he came home as Bruno |
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"Have a read up about cat behaviour.
Most cats hate being stared at as it's aggressive behaviour.
A slow blink is a sign to try to establish friendship and trust. If your cat slow blinks at you, return the blink. If you slow blink at them and they return it that's good. They may come to you in response to a slow blink.
Yawning is a sign of trust.
Cat psychology is fascinating. But not all cats follow all the 'rules'. Remember they are all individuals.
Do you think he could have deep rooted psychological problems after us thinking he was a girl, calling him Lola and buying him pink everything?? lol
A trip to the vets revealed he was a boy, we were all in shock and he came home as Bruno "
Sacha Baron Cohens career never recovered since |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"He's going through the terrible two's....its just a wee phase. All 5 of mine were biters....used to clamp onto my forearm and bite and scratch it to blazes. Now they are all wee treasures. How many kitties qualify you as "mad cat woman"? Am i there yet? Be honest....... "
I reckon it's as much a state of mind as an actual number of cats |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"Have a read up about cat behaviour.
Most cats hate being stared at as it's aggressive behaviour.
A slow blink is a sign to try to establish friendship and trust. If your cat slow blinks at you, return the blink. If you slow blink at them and they return it that's good. They may come to you in response to a slow blink.
Yawning is a sign of trust.
Cat psychology is fascinating. But not all cats follow all the 'rules'. Remember they are all individuals.
Do you think he could have deep rooted psychological problems after us thinking he was a girl, calling him Lola and buying him pink everything?? lol
A trip to the vets revealed he was a boy, we were all in shock and he came home as Bruno "
Haha! No as long as you feed him and look after him and provide love on his terms he won't care what you call him. He'll probably ignore it most of the time unless it suits him anyway! |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"The little fecker is feral....Get rid!
He is young, its what they do...
Next time you stroking him, wear an oven glove "
Haha, reminds me of that episode of Friends when Racheal got a cat and handled it with an oven glove lol |
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By *ee VianteWoman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
My mum rehabilitated a feral kitten with a screw loose a few years ago. He had to be kept caged and handled with ferreting gauntlets for a while.
At 13 weeks he bit right through her index finger.
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