New rescue cat a biter.

[TheDonald]

She's very loving and can't wait to jump on our laps whenever we sit down. Follows us around the house and generally seems to like us being her slave.

She just will turn and attack at no notice. She mostly doesn't cause much harm but has broken the skin a few times. No hissing or anything - I think it's either playful or just that she wants us to fuss her more!

She came from a busy home with small children and may not have been very well cared for. She's 18 months.

Our previous cat who we lost was very gentle and never bit or scratched so dd is upset by it. I've had a biter in the past so I'm less worried but would rather nip it in the bud because we sometimes have small children here.

She's only been with us 2 weeks tomorrow so she isn't going outside yet. I think she's bored so might be better when she can get out?

Any tips?

[Briette]

Mine are biters (and scratchers - also rescues). I just stop interacting with them when they do it; they're gradually improving. One of them sucks at biting so I don't really care but the other is a brute and can easily cause injury without meaning to, so I've learnt to anticipate when he's going to do it.

Sometimes it happens when a cat is overstimulated so even if they're enjoying a cuddle it might turn into a chomp - it's hard but little and often for strokes seems to keep them in their comfort zone. Otherwise it's often just for control and something that can be discouraged over time.

[BulletFox]

Proper biting?

My cat clamps her jaws around me when she's happy and sort of nibbles gently. I think it's a cat kiss but it did freak me out the first time she did it.

[MissFlashpants]

Our cat was like that for the first 6 weeks or so. Then all of a sudden he calmed right down. Now he only nibbles my toes when he’s hungry 🙄😀

[Icequeen01]

One of mine will do this when I am stroking him - it's almost as though he gets over excited. He will also bite me if he wants attention so I can't win 😀

[Want2beme]

One of mine's a scratcher and a biter. I've had her since she was 4 weeks old and she hasn't changed. I tried the pulling away and stop playing when she attacks, but it hasn't stopped her. She doesn't bite aggressively - which is good!

[Botanicbaby]

Aw this makes me feel sad for her that in her 18 months with previous family she may not have been well cared for

I think with rescue cats you have to be extremely patient, mine was a bit bitey at first. And still can be if petted too much. But she is nowhere near as bitey as she was. The rescue centre environment is so stressful for some probably most cats that it's no wonder she's following you around the house she will be loving it!
I wouldn't let her out yet and agree with PP to ignore her if she's in bite mode. She will learn that it doesn't get her attention or anything. Play games with her at the same time each day if possible and keep her stimulated whilst indoors.

[Fluffycloudland77]

It's over excitement, build up from one stroke on the head. None of them mind the head too much.

Then build up slowly. Shoulders, back, base of tail.

She might have been abused previously, albeit by a child. She might be getting in first.

[TheDonald]

Thanks everyone. Yes I do worry what she went through before. I do know she'd had 2 litters of kittens before she was neutered, both of which were taken to the rescue place. They persuaded previous owners to let them neuter her. She was only about 13 months then I think.

She's a lovely cat and she seems to love being with us. She's really good at night and sleeps at the foot of my bed quite happily.

I think it is overexcitement.

[Melfish]

Our old cat used to do this, I think she'd get over excited although she seemed to enjoy waggling her tummy for DH to rub before play biting his hand. She also used to bat us.
DD was always a bit wary of stroking her too much but Dcat was equally patient and would sit quietly next to her for ages. DCat was also good with her friends- she'd pop in to inspect them but she wasn't keen she'd go elsewhere however she never bit/batted them even playfully.

[TheDonald]

She's happy enough once she gets settled!

[Want2beme]

She's gorgeous and looks very content. I can see she loves her life with you.

[TheHodgeHeg]

My kitten is a biter. I think she has three different kinds of bites (maybe two).

First: playful, if she's in the mood to play she will play with whatever she can - including hands

Second: annoyed, if I try and pick her up or stroke her when she's not in the mood she'll bite (I can't work out whether this is her being playful or her saying to leave her alone)

Third: affectionate, she'll gently bite while she's being stroked.

For the playful and annoyed bites I'll give her a (gentle) tap on the nose and stop playing with her. The annoyed bites don't happen so much anymore because she's trained me when I can and can't touch her! She rarely bites when playing anymore unless her toy gets too close to hands or feet.

For affectionate bites I'll push my hand into her mouth. Again she rarely bites this way anymore.