My cat bit my mum, no clue what to do

[Biteycat]

My cat is about 6 years old, he lives with my mum (large grounds) and has always been a bit grumpy but he's, unfortunately, crossed a line now.

I think in general he likes to be left alone, however, he has a habit of seeking out cuddles/strokes and then will almost immediately attack you as soon as you touch him. He'll come to sit on your lap and (sometimes) if you move your hand (to pick up the remote/scratch your nose etc) he'll attack. He definitely loves tolerates my husband and me the most as he's always been ours, and in general is ok with us but still does the above on occasion.

Anyway, the other night he was sitting on my mum's lap, begging for strokes, she went to tickle his head and he properly bit her. She didn't think much of it but woke in the night in a lot of pain and in the morning needed to go to the hospital. Her hand is really swollen, she can't use it.

I'm really pissed off and have no clue what to do. What if he's like this around kids when we eventually have them? Is there anything at all I can do?

Some cats are arseholes. Any children will learn to stay out of his way.

Your cat is being a cat, there is nothing more to it. What do you want to do?

My cat is very bitey and needs the least excuse to swipe or bite. He was a rescue kitten and always been the same, he's 12 now so not going to change. I always warn everyone not to touch or approach him even if he looks cute and inviting.

Hope your Mum is ok but your cat is just doing cat stuff.
Chances are if you had kids the cat would stay well away

Cats gonna cat.
Seeing as he lives with your mum anyway (making him more her cat really, surely?), I don’t think you need to start worrying about any altercations with any potential future children.

Best tip would be leave him be and don't let him on anyone's knees.

You just need to tell all visitors not to touch him even if he indicates that he wants to be stroked, that he bites. IME cats not used to children avoid them like the plague

If he bites anyone else, take them for a tetanus shot.

Cats are arseholes but they're not trainable in the same way dogs are, especially at 6.

See this is what pisses me off. Such double standards!!! If this was a dog people would be shouting for it to be put down! But a cat - nope cats will be cats!

And yes cats can and do cause serious damage when they bite.

Most people won't call for a cat-sized dog to be put down, especially one who's only aggressive when they're being touched when they don't want to be.

Oh behave 🙄

They are totally different animals, with different needs and temperaments. You wouldn’t put a child down for biting, or a hamster. Stupid comment.

Don’t let him sit on your lap , feed it , keep stroking to a minimum .

It's not double standards, though, is it? You can't train a cat the same way you can train a dog. Plus, a dog is capable of killing a human. A cat not so much.

Do you realise how stupid you sound?

But... Cats and dogs are not the same animal?

Cats bite and scratch.. some are more tolerant than others but even the most docile cat will bite and scratch if the circumstance arrises. What a very silly comparison.

I am a cat sitter. One of my clients is very friendly when you go in, rubs around your legs and meows and chats. She approaches for a stroke. Nine times out of 10 she will then swipe at you. She's attacked my tights and ripped them. Other times she's a literal pussycat.

I just go in now, change the litter and the water and put her food down. I talk to her and say hello but don't interact physically any more.

I'd do that with this cat.

My neighbour’s cat is like this, he looks oh so sweet until he bites. DH b
will learn one day to leave the blasted animal alone 😊

One of my friends has a cat like that. He loves me and will swarm onto my lap whenever I go round. I just make sure I have long sleeves on that come down over my wrists so he can’t sink his teeth in when he tries to bite! Some cats are just bitey.

@biteycat I agree with the above posts that cats can just be assholes. Does anyone play with him? If he is biting hands when they move, he may see it as an indication to play. If he licks before biting, that can be an indication that he wants you to stop touching a certain area, etc. Is he an indoor cat or does he have outdoor access?

We rehomed a cat as of this concern with a baby on the way, although he only ever went for the ex MIL apparently. He has a lovely life in the country chasing mice from what we heard. He was a much happier cat without the worry of him ever getting pulled around by a kid and chancing an issue.

My gran had a cat like this. Only kitten born to her other cat which we think was to a feral.
She didn't like to be stroked and very rarely would sit near anyone. Never sat on anyone's lap. Hissed if anyone got too near.

We never reached out to her, just let her do what she was happy with. She lived a long and happy life without incident.

The cat just needs their space, no hands on.

My in laws cat is like this - we don't touch him or allow him on our laps. He stays well away from the grandchildren / strangers so no issues there. I suppose for your mum the question is whether she is happy to keep the cat on the basis that she won't be able to stroke him etc

Your cat is just being a cat.

My rescue landed me in hospital on the second day I had him.

Still love the arsehole, totally not his fault, and 2 years on we know his behaviour and what pisses him off.

Even our soppy moggy will have a go if she's wound up.

I'd do nothing except understand the cat better. Any future children will work it out between them and the cat.