Russian Blue Biting

[Simon Weston]

Hi All,

I hope this is the right place for this type of post - seems to be from the
messages I've read from the last couple of days.

About 2 months ago I adopted a female cat from the local Animal Adoption
Centre, she fits the description of a Russian Blue perfectly but does have
one very bad habit that is getting worse rather than better - she BITES !

Some background info in case its helpfull.
Her name is DAX & she's healthy, about 1 year old; I can't know for sure &
she seems very happy. She's an indoor cat, is spayed & declawed (all 4
paws) & has all her shots & she is very clean. She has a healthy appetite,
she eats a full cup of Purina One a day & wants more by the time I get home
from work ! She follows me all over the house & is very affectionate &
playful - especially likes the stalk & pounce game with a little ball
attached to a shoelace. I managed to train her not to eat my plants (at
least while I'm about) with a squirt bottle although trying to keep her from
my food plate is a little harder. Shoooing her away just turns into another
game.

The problem is that about when I try to pet or smooth her she has started to
bite, not hard & not all the time but it has started to get worse & although
I think that the DAX thinks she's playing it is making my girlfriend upset
as the cat bites her fairly hard - bit her toe in bed one morning !! She
has never drawn blood but I'm worried that if that ever happens my
girlfriend will freak & refuse to be around the cat.

Any advice would be appreciated. At the moment I'm using the strong 'NO'
whenever she bites me in any way harder than a playfull nibble.

Thanks,

Simon & DAX !

[Melody]

I got a petite black cat from the shelter and she too is declawed (which I
don't agree with, especially if you have small children). She bites also...
Basically it is their only line of defense since they have been raped of
their claws. After a year and trust she is better. She will hiss more than
the others. It's her communication method. Give her time and gentleness and
I bet she'll change. If you have small kids do her a favor and give her to
someone who can let her be safer. ~Melody

Simon Weston wrote in message <7518if$t7f$1...@krypton.nothinbut.net>...

[konengro]

Simon Weston wrote:
> About 2 months ago I adopted a female cat from the local Animal Adoption
> Centre, she fits the description of a Russian Blue perfectly but does have
> one very bad habit that is getting worse rather than better - she BITES !
>

> The problem is that about when I try to pet or smooth her she has started to
> bite, not hard & not all the time but it has started to get worse & although
> I think that the DAX thinks she's playing it is making my girlfriend upset
> as the cat bites her fairly hard - bit her toe in bed one morning !! She
> has never drawn blood but I'm worried that if that ever happens my
> girlfriend will freak & refuse to be around the cat.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated. At the moment I'm using the strong 'NO'
> whenever she bites me in any way harder than a playfull nibble.

Simon-
As Melody pointed out, many declawed cats are quick with their teeth,
since their first best line of defense is missing. It does, however,
sound like DAX is being more playful than aggressive.
I think you should discourage her from biting in any manner. Letting
her bite gently may simply confuse the issue with her. Give her toys she
can attack with all her ferocity (the bird on a string is a good one.)
When she bites, the best response is to scream, loudly and immediately.
Then stop playing with her altogether. A big NO works too, if you can't
reach those high registers. Stop playing. Walk away. Stop interacting
with her altogether. Tapping her on the nose or heiny or anything like
that is likely going to be seen by her as playful roughhousing. The
infamous squirt gun might work for anklebiting, but you don't want to
squirt her if she's nibbling fingers. She might decide to stay away from
you altogether.
You may also find that petting her reaches a point where she needs to
return the affection, and that, too will be a bite. Gauge her reaction,
and try not to let it get to the point where teeth meet flesh.
Regards,
--
Paul F. Hoff Milton, WA konengro*at*worldnet.att.net
Uncle Walter's Small Engine Repair and Keys Made
http://home.att.net/~konengro/

[Simon Weston]

Would the kind people who sent email replies to me please do so again if its
not too much trouble. Something was wrong with my email & I lost the
messages.

Thanks,

Simon & DAX