Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I am new to the cat forum, and have posted a couple of questions, but I have a concern, I think someone may be able to help me with.

I just adopted a young cat (about 6 or 8 months old) from the animal shelter. She is super affectionate, but will get these fits of biting, scratching. I think she is just playing, but I have a neighbor that had a young cat that did the same thing. Now he is an attack cat, and will tear up anything that approaches him, unless you have food. He wasn't ferral but he sure acts it now!
Sara, my new baby is probably just playing, but I don't want her biting.
Does anyone know how to gently stop this? My sister said to "tonk" her on the nose with your finger, gently. Well, I tried that, and for 3 days she was afraid of my hand. She is over that, but she still bites. I say "ouch!" and "Sara, no bite!" but she scurries off playing, and comes back to do it again.
I have only had dogs from puppies, and know how to train them, and have heard that cats are difficult to train... but I don't buy it. They are too smart.
Sorry for the long post. But thanks!
Jacqueline & Sara

First off, you should not use your hand for play. Use a toy with a long handle, otherwise she will associate your hand with playing that will turn to biting. WHen she becomes aggressive while playing, redirect her to another toy and/or squirt her with a water filled squirt bottle, make sure to have it on stream and not mist. You want her to fear the bottle, not you or your hand. Have it handy when you play. if she begins to get aggressive, tell her sternly (but don't yell) NO! and if she continues in the slightest, squirt her. It will startle her but won't hurt and she should get the message after a week. Reward her with treats when she plays nice. Never give her attention once she become agggressive. Ignore her, otherwise she will respond to your negative attention and continue to be aggressive to keep your attention. No!, a squirt and walk away. She'll get the hint. Give her plenty of loving at a later time. Let us know how things go!

Astilover gave you some excellent advice. Here's a webpage with more info on biting and aggression:

Good luck! I hope you can get the biting under control! Don't bonk your kitty on the nose anymore - it actually will increase her agression and make her feel anxious and insecure.

-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I found a website that gave the suggestion of how to train the cat as if you were an adult cat.
It worked!

If she bites, I place my thumb and forefinger on either side of her neck and "pin" her down, saying "NO BITE!" firmly. Hold her there for 3 or 4 seconds and release, and let her run off and try to regain her dignity. It took about 3 times, and now, when I say in the same voice, No Bite!, she gives kisses instead.
It was my fault to being with, because when I adopted her from the shelter, she didn't come with any warning not to play with her using my hand. It was the only way I could get her out from under the couch, at the time. I have learned sooo much since then.

She will still bite my hand if it is under a blanket, but not bare skin...
THanks all for your suggestions!

Jacqueline
& Sara!

I am so very happy for you! Now if I could just get MY kitty from being bad and peeing in the house (territorial issue).
Best of Luck!