Can you stop a cat from biting?

[Aloethere]

We have a 9month old cat/kitten and he has an unfortunate habit of launching himself at me and biting. He gets in his hunting pose, wiggles his arse and pounces teeth first into what ever part of my body is closest. He really sinks his teeth in.
The thing is he only does it to me . I feed him, he sleeps on me every night, in the evenings he spends his time curled on my lap. Is there a reason he attacks me only? Is there anything I can do to stop it?
I don't know if it is relevant but he is a house cat, he is a sphinx so I can't really let him out. He is played with a lot, chases his laser for ages, plays fetch, catches flies, drags dds toys around the house so I don't know if it is related to boredom?

[rhiaaaaaaaannon]

No idea. My cat was a nightmare for it when he was younger but did grow out of it.

[Botanicbaby]

Not sure what to suggest other than making sure you ignore the behaviour and don't react at all. I know it's difficult. Maybe he will get the message.
My cat was bitey for a while & I would walk away not make eye contact for a bit and she stopped doing it. It might be attention seeking?

[Wolfiefan]

What do you do when he does it?
Sounds like he sees you as another cat to play with!
Is he neutered?

[RubbishMantra]

Can we please have a photograph?



Come to think of it, I've got a Devon Rex, which aren't supposed to going out cats. I let him out, and I've only known him to leave the (tiny) garden once. Don't let him out if he's not chipped and neutered though. Or you could teach him to walk on a leash and walking jacket. They can wriggle out of harnesses too easily.

[cozietoesie]

What do you do when he bites?

[Aloethere]

Thanks for the replies. When he bites I tend to move him away from me and ignore him. He is neutered. I was hoping it would go away when his nuts did but no such luck. He is spoilt for attention, he is a really needy cat. He follows me around everywhere, is pretty much permanently by my side and if I am not available he turns to either dh or the kids for attention which they give him in spades. Maybe I just need to be better at ignoring him when he is acting up? He just seems to lose it for a while and goes into attack mode.

[RubbishMantra]

I bought my little Devon Rex a jersey when he was wee, and hadn't yet grown his curly, yet somewhat sparse fur.

Have you tried a fishing rod toy like a Flying Frenzy?

[cozietoesie]

I've never had a Spynx but my own elderly boy is a bonded Siamese and they can be needy in spades! It gives you a head start, really.

It looks as if he just doesn't know his Rules so when he bites, I'd go further than just putting him down and ignoring him - I'd actually say No, pick him up brusquely (not violently) and put him outside the door of the room for 20 minutes or so. (The rest of the family must ignore him at this point as well - no playing-off people against each other.) Then when he's been in the sin-bin for his time, open the door and let him come in when he wants to. Absolutely no calling him - let him try to get back 'on terms' with you in his own time. Then, with luck, a chastened little individual should sneak onto your lap quietly. It ought to take two or three goes before he learns the 'new' behaviour. (It will be new to him of course if he's been biting to date with relative impunity.)

Don't worry, by the way, about him possibly disliking you for this. Strong rules actually seem to make them feel secure.

[Weedsnseeds1]

He's over- excited and you are his best mate, so he's expecting you to play fight back. Time out suggestion sounds like a good idea. They do grow out of it.