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How do I get my cat to stop biting? She bites when she's had too much petting but also likes to leap out and chomp my leg when I pass her hiding spot.

Allie asked in Pets about 1 year ago | Report

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  • Alana_and_brown_dog_small
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    Depending on how and where you touch her, you can desensitize her. If you are gentle, begin touching her lightly and then pairing it with a food treat or feeding. Pet her in areas of her body she enjoys and then stop when she is still wanting more. Quick brief stroking is better than petting for too long. The chomping your leg as you call it seems like play -- albeit aggressive play. She seems young or pent up so I would play with her whenever you see her hiding or stalking with an interactive feather or string toy. Do this when you pass her hiding spots and then pair with a treat. You will make her expect good things when you pass and she will have an appropriate outlet to release her energy. Punishments, squirt bottles, yelling no, does not help and with make her pent up energy and/or negative associations of being pet or held worse.

    Alana Stevenson answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report
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  • Grisha-stewart-snow_small
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    AhimsaDogTraining

    Hi Allie,

    I'm not a cat trainer, but I have had a cat like this (before I knew what to do, even with dogs) so I can visualize the problem.

    One thing is to figure out her body language when you're petting her, what she does before the bite. Remember that the petting is mostly for your own entertainment, not for hers, and only pet her the minimum amount that would satisfy you, stopping when you see her start to get upset with it. Stiffening, rolling onto her back, etc. would be big signs, but look for smaller things, too.

    For the leaping by, you can get in the habit, for a while, of bringing a treat and tossing it behind her (away from you) every time you pass by. This should develop a pattern of looking away as you pass by, and also some happiness if she's upset that you're passing by.

    Or you might call her to you each time - to let her know the jig is up, that you know she's there, so the hunt is less fun.

    You might also look at the space physically and see if you can add a barrier, so she can access it from the back, say, but not leap out the front. That may make it a not-so-favorite spot, but it's worth a try.

    AhimsaDogTraining answered in Pets about 1 year ago | Report
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