My cat keeps biting me....

[luamber]

I got my gorgeous 6 year old boy from the RSPCA nearly 9 months ago now and love him to bits. He seems happy enough, is increasingly affectionate and loves to play.  The only problem we have is with is biting. It's hard to explain, but he only bites after coming to us for some fuss and he doesn't bite intending to hurt us. He bites in a similar way to puppies do, he kind of 'mouths' us and holds (usually our hands or arms) in his mouth until we have to prise him off!  We've tried ignoring him when he does it, but don't seem to be getting anywhere.  He's not an aggressive cat at all, but we worry that he might bite someone a little bit too hard sometime soon....Any help much appreciated.....thanks!

[Englishbird]

Don't know if this will work because of his age but when mine were kittens and did that, we used to say 'ouch' quite loudly and pull away from stroking them (not for long).  It really worked, as it's what young animals do to each other to let them know they've gone a bit far and that hurts.  And i'm pleased to say i now have two 2 year old male cats who don't bite or scratch.

good Luck

[ursula62]

Have you checked his teeth? Cats often bite hard when they have toothache.

[luamber]

Thanks people!

Ursula62 - yes, he's recently had a through check up when he had his jabs a few weeks back and there doesn't seem to be a problem with his teeth (that said,  I'll have a quick look tonight just in case!)

I'd just love to know why he does it! My hands are covered in little toothy dents!

[dmsjps]

Maybe he just sees you as 'target practice'. My first cat I think I got too young (they told me she was 3 months old, but I don't think she was) and she used to attack me something savage; but then at bedtime or in the morning she would snuggle me like mad and wouldn't let go for anything.

 

The cats I have now came as brother & sister 9 years ago (when they were 12 weeks old) and they both have completely different personalities. The tom (although he hasn't been a 'tom' since he was 8 months old) picks on my husband and son if he has a 'paddy' and the she-cat picks on whoever she feels like picking on. They both 'pretend-bite' and it surely is affection and playing, because they don't actually sink their teeth in. It's just toy-fighting, as they would with their brothers or sisters if they were in the wild. I wouldn't worry about it, because it means they're sure of your affections and they feel safe living (and practising their skills) with you. If/when he does bite enough to hurt, then tell him it hurts so that he knows where to draw the line. You're doing a good job. Just carry on loving him the way you do; he knows which side his bread is buttered on.

[Jeandelta30]

My he cat is now aged 14 years and he still loves to bite me on my hand when he is being affectionate, yes it hurts sometimes and I still tell him off, but I am sure they are just love bites, he only does it with me as he thinks i'm his Mum (the little petal ;o) )

[ann_h]

 If he's biting gently, I would have thought it's unlikely he'll suddenly bite someone hard.

He does it because he loves you. A lot. Don't take this the wrong way, but it's a leftover of the mating instinct, like when humans kiss eachother it's a residual of mouth-to-mouth baby feeding.

So don't worry about it!