cats that bite......

[paisleyII]

we have a cat, only had her 3 weeks. she is really gentle and mellow but she just bit dh which is a shame as she was on his lap. i didn't see what happened, he could have been getting on her nerves as he sometimes plays with her more roughly than i do although i think she likes it a bit rough at times (!). question - is it normal for even the most lovely gentle of cats to give you the odd nip from time to time as a way of saying leave me alone? i have no experience of owning a cat prior to this one so am still a learner, thanks

[peggotty]

Yes it's normal. Your dh and you will learn to read the signs that she's starting to get pissed off ( they can be quite subtle with cats and sometimes non-existent!). But with my female cat, I notice that when I'm stroking her and she's not enjoying it anymore she stops 'reacting' to me petting her i.e stops rubbing her head against my hand, stops purring etc. Then if I don't get the message, her tail will give a couple of lashes from side to side and I feel her tensing up. Eventually she'll give me a warning meow then scratch or bite. But it rarely happens cos I know the signs now . Tbh your dh should maybe stop the 'rough' playing especially with a cat who you've only had for 3 weeks - it's still early days in your relationship with her. HTH

[Fluffycloudland77]

My cat lies on his back pummelling my forearm with his back legs whist gripping his front kegs round my elbow and tries to bite my elbow.

Was he touching her tummy or the base of her tale? Both trigger points ime. It's a sexual thing they want attention there but were not cats and it's all a bit too weird for them so they lash out.

Apart from my cat who loves tummy fuss weirdo.

[peeriebear]

My cat does that too Fluffy. She's only playing because the claws on her hind feet are retracted :o I still end up with a mass of tiny nicks and scratches, and trying to extricate one's hand results in the trap tightening.

[paisleyII]

i think he was touching her head. i haven't dared to stroke her tummy as i know cats can turn and go for you however soft they appear to be, i have always seen cats as killers tbh. she behaves in a way as if she wants me to but i don't take the bate (she rolls around on her back so her tummy is in full view). i would love to give it a stroke but value my hands too much :)

[suburbandream]

My cats do this sometimes when they have had enough stroking - not very hard but just as a warning. My boy cat hates having his back legs touched when you stroke him and will definitely let you know!!

[Fluffycloudland77]

I have to say ime adult animals are much more tolerant of children than adults, we get nips but children just get a pained look and the cat/dog walks off for a bit of peace.

I think they know that kids dont know any better, youtube has videos of babies hugging cats and the cats just have such a look on their faces.

[crazynanna]

My kitten nearly 9 and a half weeks is getting to the scratchy biting stage,but she pins her ears right back until they are nearly flat to her head she looks so scary. Does that mean she is going to be a bit vicious? She has plenty of loving times,though,with purring and snuggling into my neck.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Flat ears mean she's a bit more serious but not vicious. Spitting and screaming is when it's all going to kick off and luckily mine have always saved it for the poor vet.

If you look at her eyes the pupils will widen untill theres no iris left almost. That means really excited.

Dont forget cats have tough skin so when they play with litter mates it's ok but our soft skin cant quite take it and we get scratched.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

My ginger boy nips me if I stop stroking him. Although he did get my toes a couple of days ago. I wasn't stroking him with my feet.
Grey head is another story. He just wanders over and has a bite.Whether we've been touching him or not

[GeraldineAubergine]

My cat is nine and a bit indescriminate about biting, he will do it if you breathe wrongly near him. He's always been like this I'm accepting of it now. He's sometimes nice, which makes up for it. (kind of).