Input Needed Please

[Misty_Morning]

Ok. So two weeks ago I took in an abandoned cat and named him August West.

He is was already litter trained. He was obviously somebody's housecat.

He is such a sweetheart, and starved for affection.

But there is a serious problem.

August is a biter.

He likes to nip (bite) my ankles when I walk. He likes to nip when showing some affection.

And he bites really hard and draws blood when he wants to play.

He is beginning to understand "NO!", but it is still along way from getting him to stop, if ever.

Last night he latched onto my arm and bit. This was the worst occurence.

I am just about ready to give up and bring him to a shelter. But all the no kill shelters are full. And since he is a biter, his chances of surviving other shelters till he is adopted is not very promising.

I am also thinking of giving him back to my coworker. But that would mean he would then be at the mercy of the outdoors, and not having an owner taking care of him.

My 86 year old father will be returning in a few weeks, and I CANNOT have August biting him!

I need some suggestion for breaking this bad habit in a short period of time.



I'm at my wits end.

 

[jomar]

I know what Cesar would say, but I know nothing about cats. Is google not your friend on this one?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

August is an adult so this might not work but with kittens that we have had in the past whenever he tries to bite, stick your finger clear down his throat as far as it will go. He won't like that one bit and hopefully will figure out that he should keep his mouth shut.

 

[Guest]

Scruffing works well.

When he bites or scratches, grab him by the back of the neck like the momma cat would, say NO loudly and hold him down for a few seconds, then let him go. It'll piss him off, and he'll remember.

Is he neutered? If not, that needs to happen soon.

Is there another pet in the house or next door that is causing his aggressive tendencies?

They make some pretty cool cat toys that would keep him occupied for awhile. It sounds as if he needs a playmate.

Edited to add - a rough and tumble playmate. One of those electronic birds would keep him leaping and jumping, or some piece of feathered thing he can tear to shreds. He needs to be able to be a cat.

 

[Misty_Morning]

Scruffing works well.

When he bites or scratches, grab him by the back of the neck like the momma cat would, say NO loudly and hold him down for a few seconds, then let him go. It'll piss him off, and he'll remember.

Is he neutered? If not, that needs to happen soon.

Is there another pet in the house or next door that is causing his aggressive tendencies?

They make some pretty cool cat toys that would keep him occupied for awhile. It sounds as if he needs a playmate.

Edited to add - a rough and tumble playmate. One of those electronic birds would keep him leaping and jumping, or some piece of feathered thing he can tear to shreds. He needs to be able to be a cat.

Tried scruffing once, but he managed to twist around and bite again.

And he loves a toy that actually belonged to CC. Gonna have to get another one, cuz he's tearing it apart.

And I have a feather with a bell on a string...but that just seems to get him so worked up that he want to rough house with me when he gets bored with the toy.

And yes, he does need to be fixed.



I'm also thinking of calling the humane society and seeing if I can swap him for a younger cat. If I take a kitten, then a space will open for him....just thinking....

 

[Vermilion]

Getting him 'done' will fix quite a lot. He's a teenage boy, so at the moment he's just bursting with testosterone and energy - of course he's gonna want to fight and bite. Get him done, wait a week or two, if he's still biting *then* is the time to look at other options. In the meantime wear oven mitts to play and oven mitts to scruff him - or those chainmail oyster opening gloves...

x
V

 

[Vermilion]

ps - try getting a dog toy for him, cos they'll be tougher than cat toys and get some bitter apple spray and spray your arms with it before playing with him - it's like that bitter aloe stuff you use to stop humans biting their nails. It worked wonders when we were teaching the puppy not to bite toes - she hated the taste, but it's safe for animals and humans.

 

[Guest]

Tried scruffing once, but he managed to twist around and bite again.

And he loves a toy that actually belonged to CC. Gonna have to get another one, cuz he's tearing it apart.

And I have a feather with a bell on a string...but that just seems to get him so worked up that he want to rough house with me when he gets bored with the toy.

And yes, he does need to be fixed.

I'm also thinking of calling the humane society and seeing if I can swap him for a younger cat. If I take a kitten, then a space will open for him....just thinking....

Neutering is a big part of it. He has all of those overactive hormones and he's used to being an outside cat. Teeth and claws are necessary.

How big is this boy? Use two hands to scruff, if necessary. Don't be afraid to grab a big hunk of skin and fur - they have a large amount there.

Grab his scruff, shove down, place your other hand on top of his head and push. If you grab high enough on his neck he cannot reach to bite.

Or, wear an oven mitt on your one hand to protect it while shoving.

You don't need to hold him for long, just long enough to show him you're boss.

If he's this aggressive, you can't even pet him for long because he'll become overstimulated almost immediately. A few pats, then put him down, give him a toy he can chew on. Give him treats if he doesn't bite.

You know, two of the strays we adopted were initially very aggressive. Once neutered, they settled, lost that wild edge, became much more loving.

Your boy is still learning.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

Cat pheromones. The diffuser plug-in type. It works really well.

 

[Safe_Bet]

August is a biter.

He likes to nip (bite) my ankles when I walk. He likes to nip when showing some affection.

And he bites really hard and draws blood when he wants to play.

Maybe you should feed him once in a while?

And yes, he does need to be fixed.

I knew you couldn't keep a male in your house for long without cutting his balls off - I KNEW it!

Seriously, you should talk to your vet and see what he suggests. You and certain "un-named people" have already bonded with the little shit, so you KNOW you aren't really gonna get rid of him! But you also can't let him be biting on your Dad. Get his ass fixed as a Christmas present to yourself and hang his little balls on the tree as an ornament!

 

[Misty_Morning]

Some really good suggestions.

I'm gonna see about getting him fixed asap.


Any other suggestions in the mean time?

I don't want to be defeated.

 

[Misty_Morning]

Cat pheromones. The diffuser plug-in type. It works really well.

Never heard of that....gonna go look at Petco tomorrow.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

I don't want to be defeated.

I'm not going to say it.
I'm not going to say it.

I'm not going to say it.

Ok, I'm going to say it.

Definitely not by another pussy.

 

[Misty_Morning]

Some really good suggestions.

Ummm..I wasn't refering to the hanging of his balls on the tree.....

 

[Safe_Bet]

I'm not going to say it.
I'm not going to say it.

I'm not going to say it.

Ok, I'm going to say it.

Definitely not by another pussy.

*Snerk*

 

[Misty_Morning]

I'm not going to say it.
I'm not going to say it.

I'm not going to say it.

Ok, I'm going to say it.

Definitely not by another pussy.

Hey, I am the first to admit that I am pussy whipped.

 

[Guest]

Some really good suggestions.

I'm gonna see about getting him fixed asap.


Any other suggestions in the mean time?

I don't want to be defeated.

You're a good person to try to work with him through this. Cats can be so frustrating.

Got a small pillow or something similar he can shred?

Every time he's aggressive, toss the pillow his direction and try to get him to attack that. Transfer that energy onto something else. If he won't initially go for it, sprinkle catnip on it and stand back.

Praise him when he bites the pillow, give him a treat, say his name in a loving way.

I wouldn't pet him very much at this stage. It'll just be an invitation for rough play. But he'll get there.

Our two knucklehead boys are very loving now - nap snugglers, purr heads.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

So, Misty, when you've solved your animalistic issues, can we turn this into a pussy problems thread?

I mean, for saving web space, and all that, you know. . . . Leaving only our on line carbon fingerprints.

 

[Misty_Morning]

So, Misty, when you've solved your animalistic issues, can we turn this into a pussy problems thread?

I mean, for saving web space, and all that, you know. . . . Leaving only our on line carbon fingerprints.

Dear god....you have no idea the pussy issues I have....

 

[epiphany65]

In addition to all the great advice in previous posts my suggestion would be to get a bottle of Bitter Apple. It comes in a bottle with a pump spray and is very distasteful, but not harmful. I've tasted it and I'm fine (okay, I can hear you laughing -- now cut it out!). You should be able to get it at any pet store and probably online. Spray some on your hand and fingers, then offer them to the little critter. It may take a few sessions, but after a while he'll realize that mommy's hands don't taste so great and leave them alone. This, in addition to chew toys may help. I'd try the previous suggestions first, but Bitter Apple might be worth a shot. It's classic aversion therapy and worked with my dog when he was a puppy and chewing on furniture. Another non-lethal means of reprimanding cats is a spray bottle of water. Give them a blast in the face to correct their behaviour when, and ONLY when, you catch them in the act. It's harmless, and although it may sound cruel, it pisses them off and gets the point across without any real harm or pain.

 

[Nirvanadragones]

Dear god....you have no idea the pussy issues I have....

Well, then this thread will have a long life.

 

[epiphany65]

Well, then this thread will have a long life.

Do I see a plot bunny on the horizon?

 

[Misty_Morning]

In addition to all the great advice in previous posts my suggestion would be to get a bottle of Bitter Apple. It comes in a bottle with a pump spray and is very distasteful, but not harmful. I've tasted it and I'm fine (okay, I can hear you laughing -- now cut it out!). You should be able to get it at any pet store and probably online. Spray some on your hand and fingers, then offer them to the little critter. It may take a few sessions, but after a while he'll realize that mommy's hands don't taste so great and leave them alone. This, in addition to chew toys may help. I'd try the previous suggestions first, but Bitter Apple might be worth a shot. It's classic aversion therapy and worked with my dog when he was a puppy and chewing on furniture. Another non-lethal means of reprimanding cats is a spray bottle of water. Give them a blast in the face to correct their behaviour when, and ONLY when, you catch them in the act. It's harmless, and although it may sound cruel, it pisses them off and gets the point across without any real harm or pain.

Yeah, I am a firm beliver in the sray bottle. It worked really well in the past.

Currently using it to break his infatuation with my kitchen chairs.

But, a few nights ago, I think he bit me to get back at me for spraying him.

In that instance, it was a war of wills.


BTW, my arm is aching and tingling from his last bite. It's starting it get red and inflamed. I may need to go to a walk in clinic tomorrow cuz I am thinking that it's infected.

I always think of a friends cousin that worked in a vets office and got bit by a cat. She spent 3 weeks in the hospital getting IV antibiotics. So, I am not gonna take any chances.

 

[epiphany65]

Well, then this thread will have a long life.

Yeah, I am a firm beliver in the sray bottle. It worked really well in the past.

Currently using it to break his infatuation with my kitchen chairs.

But, a few nights ago, I think he bit me to get back at me for spraying him.

In that instance, it was a war of wills.


BTW, my arm is aching and tingling from his last bite. It's starting it get red and inflamed. I may need to go to a walk in clinic tomorrow cuz I am thinking that it's infected.

I always think of a friends cousin that worked in a vets office and got bit by a cat. She spent 3 weeks in the hospital getting IV antibiotics. So, I am not gonna take any chances.

Sorry, but in a war of will against a cat you're gonna lose. Us humans are no match for them.

Yeah, get that arm seen to right away -- better safe than sorry. My sister got scratched by a cat years ago, so bad she almost needed stitches. It took weeks to heal.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

The best thing for teaching aversion to a cat in my book is a squirt gun. Squirt him a couple times every time he bites and see if that doesn't stop him pretty quick.

Some cats seem to bite, not out of hostility, but out of some weird, distorted nursing reflex. A kind of, "I love you so much, I hate you," type thing. Our cat Alice is like that. Just when she's purring the loudest and is the most blissed out is when she's most likely to suddenly put the jaw on you for no apparent reason, like she just can't help herself. Strangely, she tends to bite women more than men.