Owners often ask themselves a question that worries the whole family: is it possible to stop a cat from biting? Or, if you are a pet owner for the first time, how to stop a kitten from biting?
This is usually how events develop: the whole family spent a long time choosing a pet, the small pet is already at home, toys and houses are bought. And suddenly the cute kitten turns out to be a hard-biting, scratching tyrant. Why does a kitten bite and scratch? Confusion and sigh: how can you not pamper your pet, he’s an accident! The scratches on the hands left by the kitten are patiently endured; the bully even amuses with his courage. But the older the cat gets, the more problems this behavior creates.
Predator cats love to bite and scratch, especially when they are playing or angry. For cats, this is a normal manifestation of emotions, if it is not repeated constantly and if the animals do not take it out on the owners. Moreover, if you react incorrectly to such games, the “biters” harbor a grudge and begin to take revenge. What to do if a cat bites? It is possible and necessary to stop a cat from biting: marks from claws and teeth are fraught with infection for humans. Therefore, the sooner education begins, the faster the effect will appear.
Why does a kitten scratch and bite?
The question of what to do if a kitten bites and scratches is asked by both experienced cat owners and those who decided to have a pet for the first time. Before reacting to a kitten’s cocky habits, it’s worth analyzing its behavior, the habits of family members, and possibly frequent guests. It happens that a cat bites hard because it doesn’t feel well, and its depressed state often finds expression in aggression towards others. An aggressive reaction may be revenge for shouting and swearing. Cats love silence and a calm atmosphere at home. Scratching does not mean that someone in the family is scolding the pet.
The kitten bites and gets angry even because someone is making noise in the apartment or people are quarreling. Therefore, if the family speaks in a raised voice, most likely, it will be the loudest member of the family who will be the object of the kitten’s aggression.
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Cats are patient, but can flare up and start gnawing, biting and scratching if they are not noticed. Therefore, when a kitten follows the owner with its tail, meows, looks into the eyes, asks to be held or offers to play, and then suddenly starts scratching, biting or gnawing on hands, the owner must show attention and at the same time make it clear to the pet that this is how to behave. it is forbidden.
A game
Hunting is a common occurrence in the wild for felines. For example, you can consider the way tigers hunt in the wild. They stalk, catch up, and suddenly attack a prey that can significantly exceed them in size and strength. Tightly grasping the victim with its front paws, they grab the scruff of the neck with their teeth, and with their hind paws they deliver sharp and strong blows, knocking them down. Unlike their counterparts, domestic cats do not need to get food on their own. The owner takes care of the pet, gives food, changes the tray, and provides the cat with everything necessary. But this is exactly how the basic natural instincts of cats are suppressed, and this inevitably affects the pet’s behavior. A domestic cat bites while being carried away by play, simulating hunting.
For example, it can track down a toy, rush at it, then carry the “prey” in its teeth for a long time, bite, roll with it and let go again. Hunting habits cannot be exterminated. The owner should not stop the cat from playing with objects. But the hunting instinct must be within certain limits and not affect family members. Jumping on people's backs from cabinets or playing with legs or arms is unacceptable.
The natural need of a getter prompts a cat, hiding in a secluded place, to carefully observe the actions of a potential victim, and then suddenly rush at it, biting or scratching. Overexcitement while playing with people is the most common reason why a kitten will bite and scratch. The kitten's playing with its legs or jumping on its shoulders amuses and causes affection at first. But later, when the pet grows up, the blows and bites will be very noticeable and can result in serious injuries. If this behavior is not stopped in time, it will become a rule and it will be extremely difficult to wean your pet. Moreover, even careful attempts to calm will cause resentment and an active attack in response.
If the prey twitches and tries to escape, the cat rushes at it, becoming more reckless. If a cat bites and the owner abruptly removes his legs or arms, the pet’s instinct kicks in and he begins to rush at the owner with renewed vigor. This nuance of behavior must be taken into account when stopping the game. The owner must accept this prank without fear or anger, do not run away, do not move his legs, do not pull out his arms. The calm behavior of the victim will surprise the pet, since it neutralizes the hunting instinct.
However, such behavior cannot be left unpunished.
Well-being
One of the most common causes of animal aggression is the owner’s touching the cat’s “forbidden places.” For example, in the area of the tail or belly, although it is easier to say where the cat allows itself to be stroked. The tail or belly are constantly vulnerable places, and the understanding of danger has been fixed for many centuries at the level of instincts. Sudden aggression in response to touching them is a normal reflex reaction of a pet. Over time, the cat may begin to trust and begin to expose its stomach. But even in those moments, you should expect light blows with “soft” paws.
Veterinarians name several main reasons that cause irritation in pets:
- a cat disease that causes it to be aggressive. The owner should pay attention to the presence of symptoms such as loss of appetite, pain when touched, difficulty urinating or the appearance of discharge;
- The change of teeth in kittens lasts a short period. At this time, the kitten becomes especially biting. It is worth buying toys or treats that can be chewed for a long time;
- A cat's fatigue manifests itself in the fact that it is capricious and does not want to be touched. By biting, the cat makes it clear that it is not time to pet or pick up;
- Hormonal changes always affect a cat's mood, increasing irritability. The most common factors are pregnancy or breastfeeding. Sometimes sudden aggression indicates that the cat is pregnant.
If the reason for biting behavior lies in the well-being of the pet, then scolding it is pointless. You need to take the animal to a veterinarian, who will examine and identify the real cause of the irritability.
Behavioral reasons
Cats are mysterious and capricious creatures, sometimes so contradictory that it is not easy to understand their motivation. There are no universal recipes for how to stop kittens from biting and scratching from childhood. These are such individual manifestations that we can talk about general recommendations: what is welcome and what should not be allowed.
At first glance, an aggressive Briton may in fact simply lack a sense of security. Sensing danger, the pet hisses, arches its back and tail and, as a rule, runs away and hides. But if he has nowhere to run or is inflamed by his own fear, then he can expect an attack. The causes of fear can be very different: for example, a sharp sound, smell, movement. Sudden aggression can be triggered by the behavior of another pet or a stranger. Aggression in cats is part of adaptation. Thus, most cats are extremely sensitive to any move and unfamiliar surroundings. Even rearranging the furniture in the apartment can greatly irritate your pet. The cat just needs to be left alone and given time to get acquainted with the new environment; soon the understanding will come that the changes are not dangerous and do not pose a threat.
Competition is also a common cause of aggression in cats. The cause of the nervous state may be local cats that walk along the eaves or walk under the windows. Unable to drive away strangers, the cat begins to bite and can even attack nearby family members. The solution is to block the pet’s access to the windowsill. But if the reason is another pet living at home, then the task becomes more complicated. The territory becomes a battlefield, and it goes to both people and cats.
The cat scratches due to lack of personal space. If your pet doesn't have his own corner where he feels safe, he may become stressed and lash out. But a cat can also defend its territory: a part of the apartment that it considers its own can be protected from family members. If someone tries to force a cat out of a favorite place, the response will be aggression: in defense, the cat scratches.
Protection is more often caused by mistakes in upbringing, when the kitten was allowed to feel like the center of the house, and unacceptable behavior was encouraged by family members. Educational mistakes are a common factor that makes it difficult to wean a kitten from scratching and biting. The mother cat stops the ugly behavior of the kittens. When a kitten is taken away from its mother too early, the owner takes over the upbringing. In fact, the opposite happens: the family spoils the child, allowing him to dominate and bully. As a result, the kitten bites and attacks all the time. It becomes more and more difficult to wean off attacking, biting and scratching. The matter may go so far that the help of an animal psychologist is required.
Aggressive behavior in some breeds, for example, in the British, is inherited. There is an expression “a cat has a Scottish character.” Sometimes it’s scary to pet such a handsome guy! Breeders cull individuals with increased aggressiveness. If a kitten is picked up on the street, its behavior is unpredictable. The kitten may bite, hiss, be afraid, or hide. Or he may turn out to be affectionate and grateful for comfort and food.
The most difficult group of reasons to resolve is aggressive behavior associated with the psychological characteristics of a particular cat. This is expressed in the manifestation of strong dominance, revenge, and constant night activity. The reasons may be the specifics of the breed, and the psychological trauma of the pet due to poor breeding.
For your feet
To be fair, it is worth noting that human legs are much less likely to be attacked by pets than arms. Most cats ignore them, even if their tail is accidentally stepped on. Maximum - they will scream heart-rendingly and clap their paws. But there are such irreconcilable enemies of the master’s feet who cannot calmly see them - they immediately go into battle. Why does this happen?
There may be several reasons, but the main ones are boredom or irritation.
If your kitten attacks you because he's bored, get a laser pointer. When you see suspicious movement behind the curtain, point the pointer beam in front of you. The little robber will chase the bright dot and the path will be clear.
Have you noticed that your pet most often bites your leg in the kitchen? This is no accident. You are cooking something, rattling pots, constantly moving, but not paying any attention to him. How can you not get angry? If the kitten is a convinced silent person, then he demands a tasty piece.
An attack on the legs is always a demand for attention to oneself and one’s needs. When they are satisfied, the need to attack will disappear.
How to stop a kitten from biting?
You can raise a kitten if you build a method on a calm, good-natured, but timely reaction to inappropriate behavior. It will take patience and time. Hitting a kitten, throwing objects at it, or shouting at a kitten is absolutely forbidden. This will only make a difficult situation worse.
If you notice an attempt to scratch or bite arms or legs, it is recommended to take the kitten by the scruff of the neck and pull it to the side. Always, if a kitten bites, behaves as it pleases, or suddenly begins to rush, the owner is encouraged to use this effective method. If the first option does not help, you can immobilize the “biter” by lightly pressing it to the floor. Animals really don’t like dependent positions, as they feel helpless.
It is recommended to lightly pat the scruff of the neck, repeating the method of punishment used by the mother cat for the kittens. At the same time, each time you need to pronounce a prohibiting word in a calm voice - for example, “you can’t.” It is worth setting aside time for games so that the kitten spends energy without injuring family members; it is worth buying a slide with shelves and a variety of toys. When a kitten behaves well, it is necessary to reward it with a treat or play, especially after it has stopped biting.
Don't encourage aggression, encourage affection
There is one simple and very effective way to re-educate an aggressive kitten. During the period of his malicious antics, you can do this:
- ignore and silently leave the room, which will allow the pet to think about its behavior and draw appropriate conclusions;
- if the cat starts biting your hand or scratching, do not hit him, but use a regular spray bottle with clean water, such protection works effectively, because, as you know, almost all cats are afraid of water.
To ensure that your domestic cat correctly understands your position and changes its behavior, try to reward it for good deeds and good behavior. At such moments, it doesn't hurt to treat your furry friend with his favorite treat.
Gradually, the kitten will understand that in order to receive the desired reward, it is enough to simply be a kind and obedient pet. This method works quite effectively and allows many owners to rehabilitate aggressive animals in the fastest possible time.
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How to stop a kitten from scratching?
If a kitten bites and scratches in play, the owner needs to deal with the situation and show the pet that this should not be done. There are two options. The first is based on the fact that cats do not like loud and unexpected sounds. Therefore, if the kitten begins to throw and scratch, you should try clapping your hands loudly. Over time, the pet will develop a reflex: if I release my claws, I will get an unpleasant sound. Another method is based on a response unpleasant sensation in the form of splashes of water. If you lightly spray a kitten with a spray bottle while trying to scratch, the effect will be lightning fast. In addition to these options, you can try smearing the attack areas with strong-smelling products, such as essential oils or lemon zest. Cats cannot tolerate strong odors, so the desire to attack and scratch disappears.
Aggression during play
Many kittens, even the kindest and most gentle ones, can show aggression during joint games with their beloved owner. This happens for one reason - the animal starts playing and loses control of its actions. However, such unpredictability in a kitten’s behavior can lead to very unpleasant and even painful consequences for humans.
If your cat exhibits aggressive behavior during play, follow these tips from experienced experts:
- abruptly interrupt the game with the command “no” (loud and confident voice);
- do not hit the kitten, it is better to distract it with a stream of water released from a spray bottle or a children's water pistol;
- freeze for a few seconds, and the cat will instantly lose interest in you and release its grip.
Methods for adult cats
Animal psychologists practice an integrated approach. Remove factors that irritate cats and create a comfort zone. Don't tease the cat. Avoid sudden movements and sounds in the presence of a cat so that its hunting instinct does not turn on.
It is easier to educate if the rules include conditional punishments. For example, punish for every bite. This way the cat will develop an association: a bite is a punishment. If one bite is punished and another goes unnoticed, the cat will continue to act out. Use a sharp sound or water as punishment. There must be a minimum gap between punishment and misconduct. The cat will develop an association between the bite and the immediate sharp pop or spray of water from a spray bottle. If a British cat tries to bite, you must immediately spray it, loudly adding: “You can’t.”
Recommended age for weaning a kitten from its mother
The optimal age for a kitten that they plan to adopt is 2-2.5 months. Such pets are more intelligent, independent and can already recognize the intonation in the owner’s voice.
Instinctively, both small and adult animals use their claws and teeth as a defensive response. A person can correct an animal's behavior with patience and persistence.
Character is formed in childhood, and if attacks on owners are not immediately stopped, then it will be very difficult to correct the behavior of an already adult animal.
Punishment and training are not suitable here; cats are only able to perform those actions that they themselves want.
Signs your cat is about to become aggressive
Cat attacks happen more often than they should because many owners fail to recognize signs of impending aggression in cats.
Defensive posture
A frightened cat may adopt a submissive or defensive posture, which entails:
- Erect fur
- Tucked-in tail
- Squatting position
- Hiss
- Flattened and pointed ears
- Don't meet your opponent face to face
Offensive posture
When a cat takes this position, it tells you that it is about to attack. Avoid cats that show the following signs:
- Faces the enemy face to face
- The tail is straight and pointed downwards
- Fur costs
- Steps forward
- Looks your opponent straight in the eyes
- Growls
- Rectangular ears
What else do veterinarians advise?
Sterilization is often the only way to avoid cat temperament. A safe operation changes the animal’s hormonal background, making it more balanced, sometimes even more affectionate.
If you are faced with the problem of unexplained outbursts of aggression in your pet, you should remember that everything happens for a reason. We need to figure out what is bothering the cat, why it needs to protect itself and from whom. The first symptoms of anger will help relieve your calmness, love and care in all forms. At the slightest suspicion of a health threat, ensure that your pet visits a specialist.
