Biting Behavior in Cats

I was happily stroking and petting my cat, Peppers, while he was sitting on my lap. Suddenly, he buried his razor-sharp teeth in my hand, not letting it go. After a lot of screaming, shouting and a firm cajoling, I managed to push him away. It was some very nasty behavior shown by him. Biting should never be accepted as a part of normal feline behavior. Let us discuss the causes and prevention methods of this habit.

Biting Behavior
Felines are not like dogs and are also not very difficult to train. Their eccentricities can drive a person insane. They tend to sleep for about 20 hours a day. Believe me, I find Peppers sleeping from 11 am till 10 pm. The only time he gets up is to have food and answer nature's call. They tend to show predatory behavior and will pounce on your ankles, as if trying to catch a mouse. They will push your hands away if you try to pet them lovingly. That doesn't mean they dislike you, it's just that they are not in the mood to share affections. When in a good mood, they will walk over and rub their body against you. These are all the strange cat behavior that you will understand over time. One such painful habit is biting. There are various reasons for this behavior.

A kitten, between 3 weeks to 8 months would be teething. This is when they have the strongest urge to bite. Help them with some chewable toys. This is the best time to make them learn when not to bite. If trained properly, you won't have a problem once they grow up. Training on this aspect of their behavior maybe a bit difficult, but persistence will help you achieve your goal.

The second reason for this annoying habit is raging hormones. That seems to be a problem with my Peppers too. He became highly territorial due to his male behavior. He would just pounce on me during his playtime and bite my hands as if they were grilled steaks. At last, I had no option but to neuter him which calmed down the hurricane of hormones within his body. Biting due to frustration, also reduced.

The third reason is declawing. Cats that have been declawed, direct their aggressive behavior like scratching to biting. They may feel defenseless as the claws are no longer present. If the cat suspects even a tiny threat he may resort to biting. The fourth cause could be loneliness. Your cat may need another feline companionship to overcome boredom. If you notice kittens, you will find that they often bite each other when playing. They don't get affected or hurt by these bites. The fur layer on their body may cushion the impact of the bite. Thus, he may try to bite you, as if playing with a feline companion. So, if possible get him a friend.

Sometimes, they may bite when trying to seek attention. You might be busy with your work, watching TV or maybe chatting with friends. Biting is his way of grabbing your attention. The cat maybe hungry or wants the litter tray cleaned.

How to Stop this Habit
The minute your cat starts biting you, give out a loud yell and say NO. You can even blow some air on his face and say 'NO' in a loud and firm voice. When he let goes of your hand, move away from his sight and go to the other room, if possible. When you ignore him during this act, he may think 'did I do something wrong?'

When your kitten bites you, give him a chewy toy. Cats who have been declawed need to be comforted and made understand that they are under no threat with you. If he suddenly bites while playing or petting sessions, you need to move your hands away. You need to observe his body language and know when the attack is expected. If you see him flicking its tail, and notice that the ears are laid-back and his pupils are dilated, he may have the evil idea of biting. The minute you see these signs, stop petting and move away. You can even keep a water spray around when interacting with him. The minute he tries to bite, squirt water from the bottle. This will sooner or later deter him from biting you.

Another option is to behave like a 'feline mom'. When your cat bites you, you need to grasp the scruff of his neck. Then, firmly but gently, push him towards the ground and say 'NO'. Make sure you hold him in this position for a couple of seconds. Then release and hope it is a lesson learned.

Believe me, controlling your pet from biting behavior is not a child's play. I have tried all these methods and to some extent I have been successful. Few of them are too stubborn and persistent. You may have to put in extra effort when training them. They are masters of their own and will do what they please. Do not panic or hate him when they bite you. They are just following their natural instinct. Once you get home a cat, with time you will be able to understand the different habits and what they mean. Patience, perseverance and constant efforts will help you change your pet's behavior.