Bengal biting - where’s the ‘off’ button

[TC176]

I posted about Rodney, our rescue half Bengal recently. He’s 7 months old and we’re his 5th home. We’ve had him for just over 3 weeks now, he was a bit bitey when we first got him, but that calmed down reasonably quickly. He was very loving and affectionate to DH and I. Last night we settled down to watch tv and Rodney suddenly attacked DH quite viciously biting his hand and arm. There was no warning, his body language didn’t change, we told him to stop and I hissed at him, stood up and walked away. He then let go of DH and jumped up my leg, scratching me and making my leg bleed. I shouted at him to stop, and he took himself off. I don’t think he meant to hurt me though, was just using his claws to get a grip on my trousers.

We were so pleased that he’d stopped attacking hands and feet, and last night was upsetting because it was so unexpected. We’re ready to accept it might happen again, so does anyone have any tips as to how we can protect outselves? I have visions of us both clad in suits of armour while we watch tv.

I thought we were very cat savvy, but obviously aren’t. We’d be very grateful for any advice or to hear your experience if you have or have had a feral or bitey cat, and whether it calmed down eventually.
Apologies for long post, didn’t sleep last night for worrying about it. Rodney, by the way, is happy, well fed and settled in with us. This photo was taken just now.

We had a Bengal but I never sprayed him with water.

I threatened to make him into mittens sometimes but that’s Bengal ownership for you.

[quote CailleachO]@icedcoffees Perhaps you could offer an alternate suggestion? Have you ever had a Bengal? We had one who lived for 15 years. They aren't your ordinary house cat. [/quote]
Of course they're not your average house cat, but that doesn't mean you go around spraying them in the face with water

Personally I don't think bengals or bengal mixes make suitable pets (for the average home) in the first place and they certainly shouldn't be going to homes where the owners think it's acceptable to spray them
with water for behaving the way they're supposed to behave!

Is he playing or biting?

I have an ex-feral Arabian Mau who has bitten me and meant it when distressed (trip for iv antibiotics) but also likes biting when he plays.

Having experienced the difference between the two there is a big difference between what he considers a friendly play bite, and a serious bite. However his friendly bites are a lot harder than those of a domestic moggie and frankly painful and unappreciated.

I am now an expert in whipping my hand away but over months we are getting there. There is no way of telling him off as he is so fucking entitled so it's just building his confidence and the two of us learning how to live with each other.

You could try clicker training him? Click and reward when he's being calm. Punishing an animal just teaches him to fear you. Shouting at him also will not help. Get some toys on strings to redirect him to if he's looking playful so he doesn't get the idea to start attacking you to get his energy out.

Can I just say I've only ever sprayed my cat on the back - my mum says face as it shocks them. He doesn't do it now at all so not done it in several months as the water stopped him.

Would you suggest spraying a child with water if they made a mistake? Or would you have a think about whether there's a better way to handle it that doesn't involve fear?

O he’s beautiful - 5 homes in 7 months poor little chap .

Hi everyone, thanks for all your replies. It’s been a busy day here, Rodney’s been out exploring and DH and I have been on tenterhooks in case he got lost. We would never spray him or hurt him. He’s got more toys than the average toddler. We’ve realised that it was DH’s shout of surprised pain when Rodney bit him that probably spooked him, so we know to speak softly if he pounces again. And yes, we know he’s had a rough start and we’d never do anything to hurt or frighten him. He’s come on so well in the little time we’ve had him and is such a lovely loving boy. It’s great to read other peoples experiences. Today he’s explored the garden some more, it’s fantastic to see him running across the grass. I’ll no doubt be back with another plea for help before long, but thanks again everyone. Here’s a photo of him catching a leaf.

And another one as he surveys his kingdom.

And another as he surveys his kingdom.

Ahh bless you OP, I think you'll be just fine.

Ps what a gorgeous garden you have.

How lovely to hear an update, OP. I hope your boy continues to thrive in his new home.

We have a beautiful but bitey boy, he's 13 now and we've had him since he was 8 weeks old. He's definitely calmed down but will still have a go sometimes to show us he's still got it!

We pretty much live alongside him and accepted many years ago that he was never going to be a cuddly boy. That being said, we absolutely adore him, he's increadily well kept and it works just fine for us.

We have a daft 2 year old Sproodle who more than makes up for the lack of cuddles!

Hi Everyone
Sorry I haven’t responded before, thanks for all your responses. Rodney’s been here 4 weeks now and is allowed out during the day. We live in a quiet area with very few cats, and he knows this is home. Will always come back if called as he gets a Dreamie cat treat.

We have Feliway plug ins, quite honestly they’ve made no difference. We were told by the rescue centre that he had to be a single cat. He’s calmed down a lot in just a month and loves racing around the garden, climbing trees from which he had to be rescued. He’s so gorgeous and loving 90% of the time, it’s just that 10% usually in the evening when he turns into a bitey monster. Although he’s only playing he’s bigger and stronger and it hurts. We don’t shout, just say ‘Rodney, no’ and get up and walk away, but he’ll push the envelope and try to hang on. We’ve got loads of toys and do try to distract him. I think I’d just like someone to say hang on in there, it does get better. I appreciate we’ve only had him a month and he’s had a rotten start. Here’s a photo to make up for another winge!

Ha! Rodney knows he's landed on his feet. Lucky boy to have such caring owners!

Just keep doing what you are doing. Kittens are like toddlers on steroids!! Once he knows that he is safe and settled it will calm down!

You can gently grab his scruff, he’ll relax long enough for you to extricate your hand.

Dh used to do that when I was being used as a chew toy.

Well 10% is not so bad (my Bengal is 50/50, although he's calmed a lot as he's got older).

It will get better, hang in there🤞

@Fluffycloudland77
Thanks for the tip about gently grabbing the scruff of his neck, we’ll try that, and will report back. And for everyone’s encouragement, it has made such a difference.

Here’s another photo. We’ve realised he’s got gold glitter in his coat, only noticed it today in the sunlight.

He is gorgeous, I haven’t had a Bengal, but my last tabby cat, was very grumpy, definitely not a lap cat! He bit everyone expect for me, he was a mummy’s boy. The minute his tail started to swish you knew what was coming! He was also very vocal, spoilt and ruled the roost. We lost him May 2018, at 18 years, still miss him.

It’s called Ticking. Mine had it too 🙂

One of mine glitters in the sun, but it’s really hard to capture in photos

Hi all,
So lovely to see your responses and hear about your experiences. Rodney’s calmed down a lot now he’s allowed out, still a bit play bitey but realising it hurts us. Spraying him with water would not be something we would consider, he’s like a child to us who had a rotten start leaving his mum too early, then being beaten up by the cat he was bought as a companion for. We’re so glad we were lucky enough to adopt him. He’s learning every day and I’m sure he knows now that we’re his mum and dad who would never hurt him - bit twee, sorry. Today he mastered how to come back in through the cat flap. So proud! We live in a very quiet, low cat neighbourhood and we’re not near a main road so hopefully he’ll be safe. I have invested in some denim leggings and thicker tops so his attempts at playing aren’t quite so painful. Thank goodness I don’t see anyone other than DH very often. I look like an older version of Waynetta Slob. Here’s Rodney having a zuzz this morning.

@MyTwoBengals
Gorgeous cat

Thank you TC.

Rodney is gorgeous too. 😻He reminds me of my previous cat who was a Bengal cross as well.
I hope he gets over his biting and has a long and happy life with you.