My cat keeps biting us

[mummyhoney123]

My cat will be one years old in 2 weeks. We have had her since she was 9 weeks old. Over the past 3-4 months, she has started biting us for no reason. She'll walk up to you and just bite you. No reason. Don't even touch her and she bites. So, end of March we had her spayed - yes, we should have had her done when she was much younger but she doesn't go outside (her choice, shes terrified of the great outdoors). But her behaviour hasn't changed - its got worse if anything. We had her spayed purely because a few people said it would calm her down.

Getting close to rehoming her despite loving her to bits. We can't trust her as you dont know when she's next going to bite.
Any advice pelase

[cozietoesie]

Cast your mind back - what is she doing just before she comes up and bites you?

[mummyhoney123]

Anything from sleeping, eating, playing. It varies. It's completely random!

[SilveryMoon]

If I fall asleep on thhe sofa, my boy cat bites me on the head. Can really hurt!

No idea why. Not helpful I know

[cozietoesie]

Have you tried exclusion outside the room door (for a period say of 20 minutes or half an hour) when she bites? To indicate displeasure and a consequence.

[cozietoesie]

I'm thinking of Seniorboy when he was with my Mum. He would just bite her if she wasn't paying attention to him and she never chastised him or relegated him as a consequence. Just let him away with it. It took me a good week to re-train him to no biting when I got him.

[mummyhoney123]

That is something we should start to do. I don't think she is doing it to be nasty.

[cozietoesie]

No, I don't think they do it out of meanness. I think it's just boredom or over-stimulation - either directly or indirectly.

I'd be quite firm and utterly consistent with her. Any bite resulting in a firm 'NO' and then being picked up authoritatively and put outside the door. (Not outside the house - just removed from your presence. And there's no need to be too, too gentle about it. Obviously you won't throw her out but you can pick up and put down fast and firmly as well as using a firm voice. They know.)

Then just open the door after the 20 minutes or whatever and let her slink back in. No calling her in or anything - just act normally.

And repeat as necessary. Worth a try anyway. Good luck.



PS - and think about some more toys and games for her. Maybe she needs some extra play as well.

[mummyhoney123]

Ha, she has a million toys! She's not interested in them. Lids off bottles/deodrants are way more exciting for her. She will carry them to the top of the stairs, kick them down and chase them. She'll do this 30 times in a row.

[cozietoesie]

Ah - she's making games for herself. Other posters may have suggestions as to what else you can do.