Filing Cat's Fangs ??
Question:
Robert, I have a kitty that does this to me, too. He comes over for a petting, nips my hand, pets himself against my hand, nips me again. I pet him, then pause, then he nips me, harder each time. Then I say that’s enough. I don’t know why he does this. Perhaps, since cats are creatures of habit (and pleasure), he considers his nipping as a pleasurable habit and in his little walnut brain, he thinks, "Give a Nip. Get a Pet"…..or something. Teresa P.S. I hoped it was just a sick joke, too.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My cat Puff is a biter, big time. When I am sleeping he comes up to my face > and head butts me until I wake up. I then pet him as he so commands and he > starts biting on my arm. As I pet more he bites harder to the point it > leave indent marks in my arm. > It’s not often I say this, but I really hope this John character is just a > troll. > Robert M.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >: of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! >: But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >: or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? >: All suggestions considered— >Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could >scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could >possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could >ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could >step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and >that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over >you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why >have the cat, just kill her.
That makes sense. Then you could have her gutted and stuffed at a taxidermist.
Response:
If you own a cat, you need to own a bottle of antiseptic and a band-aid factory. My cat Harley loves to bite-playfully. When he gets pissed-I know it and leave him alone. When I get tired of his biting and attacking my arm-he knows it or at least realizes something is amiss as he flies through the air across the room. He then settles down and we get along just fine till he gets in my face again. I tend to agree with the poster who suggested you kill your cat and have him stuffed. You will be safe then. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >: of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! >: But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >: or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? >: All suggestions considered— >Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could >scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could >possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could >ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could >step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and >that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over >you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why >have the cat, just kill her. > That makes sense. Then you could have her gutted and stuffed at a taxidermist.
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered— > You can’t possibly be serious.
The sick thing is, I interned for a vet who did this once. Keep in mind this was the same vet that told a woman that the best way to stop her kitten from crying at night was to put a dog shock collar on him. The really sick part was that the woman actually called the connected store a few days later to find out how much one would cost. Sethran – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
I do hope you are not serious. Here are reasons why a cat bites. 1. It’s defending itself 2. It’s telling you you’ve touched sohewhere it didn’t like 3. It’s showing love and affection for you. 4. WHEN IT EATS you goof.. You take away some of his teeth and you liable to end up with sick kitty because it can chew properly My cat Puff is a biter, big time. When I am sleeping he comes up to my face and head butts me until I wake up. I then pet him as he so commands and he starts biting on my arm. As I pet more he bites harder to the point it leave indent marks in my arm. It’s not often I say this, but I really hope this John character is just a troll. Robert M.
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
Being of the supposedly smarter species you should find lots of stuff on cat behavior in your bookstores and all over the internet. Learn what your cat’s body language is telling you and you will learn the "biting imminent" signs. Knowing these signs is your key to modifying kitty’s behavior. When you see kitty is getting agitated/excited and heading towards the unwanted behavior of biting you can stop whatever event has caused the agitation and leave the room, or distract the behavoir with a toy in place of your hand. You have to redirect the behavoir towards an appropriate item such as a toy and be observant enough to not place yourself in a position where biting behavoir will occur. Remember too that positive reinforcement for desired behavior works very well when used consistently. Also, it may be of some help to try something like Bach’s Flower Remedy to calm the cat so that you may begin working with it. My experience with a biting cat: I had an extremely aggressive 5 week old foster kitten that I had bottle raised. She was a single orphaned kitten, no littlermates, which is most likely why she became aggressive. She would literally attack my face if I tried to lay down in her presence. The behavior shocked me, I was concerned that when she grew up and was larger she could do serious damage. I wound up keeping this kitten because I was afraid she would get bounced from home to home if she were to be adopted out. It was very hard and very frustrating to try working with her to redirect this agressive behavior. I had two tools to use in my favor: she did crave human companionship, and she did exhibit specific body language prior to attacks. Knowing these two things I used them for her training. While she was still tiny I would immediately leave the room when she attacked – one firm vocal "no" combined with a quick, calm exit. I would stay away for a bit then return to try again, always being consitent and leaving when attacked. As the behavior persisted I then began replacing my flesh with a toy which she was allowed and even encouraged to bite. All the while I never allowed her to initiate playtime activities; if we played with toys it was to be on my terms – this because of the attacking behavior. Then as she got a bit older I could easily see the body language (barely twitching the tip of her tail, ears held ever so slightly flatter & to the sides, the eyes get a distinctive gaze, and the head pulls back just a bit) that warned of an impending attack and I would leave upon seeing these signs or I would give her a biting toy. She, Annie, was quite a challenge for me but I am glad I chose to keep her. I still call her my 180 degree kitty – one second the dearest, sweetest little kitty and the next a little monster – but now she has learned that biting human flesh and sneek attacks are not acceptable and I have learned when to leave her alone. I find that lots of play is good for my wild child – keeps her more relaxed! She is only 10 months old now, but we have learned to communicate by reading each other’s body language and I do not get aggressively attacked or bitten any more. There are times that I must reinforce the training as when she might try to gently attack my ankle, but now all I need to do is tell her "No." firmly but gently and she’ll run off in a hyper huff and go attack a scratching post or a big stuffed toy. Of course when she attacks the appropriately toy or post she gets big praise, and mucho positive reinforcement! What a gooooooood kitty! I have a friend who’s vet defanged her cats. I don’t ask her why or say anything about it because it was done over 12 years ago. I think its deplorable though. It is a mutilation by definition. It is my hope that sharing my experience may give you some insight and save your kitty from having it’s teeth filed – OUCH! Remember that if your vet files too far the nerve will be exposed and I imagine the tooth will likey have to be completely pulled in that case. Good luck. And may you have much patience and understanding as you work with your kitty.
Response:
You’re kidding, aren’t you? Keep your hands away from her teeth. And if you’re petting her and her tail starts to flick back and forth–stop petting her. tmm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered— > — > 
Have a gid day, eh??? John. 
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
You can’t possibly be serious. MG
Response:
: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount : of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! : But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing : or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? : All suggestions considered— Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why have the cat, just kill her. Or maybe… just maybe.. you could see why she’s biting you, maybe she has a sore spot you keep petting (a vet visit should clear this up. Specially possible if she keeps biting you when you pet a certain area). Or maybe she doesn’t want to be pet at that time. Maybe you’ll have to figure out when she wants to be pet. Maybe you’ll even have to train her to like being pet (I had a cat who didnt’ like being pet, but she wouldn’t mind it when curled up. So I pet her then. Eventually she got to like it so much now that she begs constantly for attention). Tigress — The root cause of problems is simple overpopulation. People just aren’t worth very much any more, and they know it. Makes ‘em testy. …Bev | _,,,—,,_ Tigress /,`.-’`’ -. ;-;;,_ http://havoc.gtf.gatech.edu/tigress ’—”(_/–’ `-’_) Cat by Felix Lee.
Response:
My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? All suggestions considered— — Have a gid day, eh??? John.
Response:
Robert, I have a kitty that does this to me, too. He comes over for a petting, nips my hand, pets himself against my hand, nips me again. I pet him, then pause, then he nips me, harder each time. Then I say that’s enough. I don’t know why he does this. Perhaps, since cats are creatures of habit (and pleasure), he considers his nipping as a pleasurable habit and in his little walnut brain, he thinks, "Give a Nip. Get a Pet"…..or something. Teresa P.S. I hoped it was just a sick joke, too.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My cat Puff is a biter, big time. When I am sleeping he comes up to my face > and head butts me until I wake up. I then pet him as he so commands and he > starts biting on my arm. As I pet more he bites harder to the point it > leave indent marks in my arm. > It’s not often I say this, but I really hope this John character is just a > troll. > Robert M.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >: of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! >: But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >: or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? >: All suggestions considered— >Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could >scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could >possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could >ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could >step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and >that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over >you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why >have the cat, just kill her.
That makes sense. Then you could have her gutted and stuffed at a taxidermist.
Response:
If you own a cat, you need to own a bottle of antiseptic and a band-aid factory. My cat Harley loves to bite-playfully. When he gets pissed-I know it and leave him alone. When I get tired of his biting and attacking my arm-he knows it or at least realizes something is amiss as he flies through the air across the room. He then settles down and we get along just fine till he gets in my face again. I tend to agree with the poster who suggested you kill your cat and have him stuffed. You will be safe then. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >: of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! >: But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >: or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? >: All suggestions considered— >Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could >scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could >possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could >ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could >step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and >that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over >you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why >have the cat, just kill her. > That makes sense. Then you could have her gutted and stuffed at a taxidermist.
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered— > You can’t possibly be serious.
The sick thing is, I interned for a vet who did this once. Keep in mind this was the same vet that told a woman that the best way to stop her kitten from crying at night was to put a dog shock collar on him. The really sick part was that the woman actually called the connected store a few days later to find out how much one would cost. Sethran – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
I do hope you are not serious. Here are reasons why a cat bites. 1. It’s defending itself 2. It’s telling you you’ve touched sohewhere it didn’t like 3. It’s showing love and affection for you. 4. WHEN IT EATS you goof.. You take away some of his teeth and you liable to end up with sick kitty because it can chew properly My cat Puff is a biter, big time. When I am sleeping he comes up to my face and head butts me until I wake up. I then pet him as he so commands and he starts biting on my arm. As I pet more he bites harder to the point it leave indent marks in my arm. It’s not often I say this, but I really hope this John character is just a troll. Robert M.
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
Being of the supposedly smarter species you should find lots of stuff on cat behavior in your bookstores and all over the internet. Learn what your cat’s body language is telling you and you will learn the "biting imminent" signs. Knowing these signs is your key to modifying kitty’s behavior. When you see kitty is getting agitated/excited and heading towards the unwanted behavior of biting you can stop whatever event has caused the agitation and leave the room, or distract the behavoir with a toy in place of your hand. You have to redirect the behavoir towards an appropriate item such as a toy and be observant enough to not place yourself in a position where biting behavoir will occur. Remember too that positive reinforcement for desired behavior works very well when used consistently. Also, it may be of some help to try something like Bach’s Flower Remedy to calm the cat so that you may begin working with it. My experience with a biting cat: I had an extremely aggressive 5 week old foster kitten that I had bottle raised. She was a single orphaned kitten, no littlermates, which is most likely why she became aggressive. She would literally attack my face if I tried to lay down in her presence. The behavior shocked me, I was concerned that when she grew up and was larger she could do serious damage. I wound up keeping this kitten because I was afraid she would get bounced from home to home if she were to be adopted out. It was very hard and very frustrating to try working with her to redirect this agressive behavior. I had two tools to use in my favor: she did crave human companionship, and she did exhibit specific body language prior to attacks. Knowing these two things I used them for her training. While she was still tiny I would immediately leave the room when she attacked – one firm vocal "no" combined with a quick, calm exit. I would stay away for a bit then return to try again, always being consitent and leaving when attacked. As the behavior persisted I then began replacing my flesh with a toy which she was allowed and even encouraged to bite. All the while I never allowed her to initiate playtime activities; if we played with toys it was to be on my terms – this because of the attacking behavior. Then as she got a bit older I could easily see the body language (barely twitching the tip of her tail, ears held ever so slightly flatter & to the sides, the eyes get a distinctive gaze, and the head pulls back just a bit) that warned of an impending attack and I would leave upon seeing these signs or I would give her a biting toy. She, Annie, was quite a challenge for me but I am glad I chose to keep her. I still call her my 180 degree kitty – one second the dearest, sweetest little kitty and the next a little monster – but now she has learned that biting human flesh and sneek attacks are not acceptable and I have learned when to leave her alone. I find that lots of play is good for my wild child – keeps her more relaxed! She is only 10 months old now, but we have learned to communicate by reading each other’s body language and I do not get aggressively attacked or bitten any more. There are times that I must reinforce the training as when she might try to gently attack my ankle, but now all I need to do is tell her "No." firmly but gently and she’ll run off in a hyper huff and go attack a scratching post or a big stuffed toy. Of course when she attacks the appropriately toy or post she gets big praise, and mucho positive reinforcement! What a gooooooood kitty! I have a friend who’s vet defanged her cats. I don’t ask her why or say anything about it because it was done over 12 years ago. I think its deplorable though. It is a mutilation by definition. It is my hope that sharing my experience may give you some insight and save your kitty from having it’s teeth filed – OUCH! Remember that if your vet files too far the nerve will be exposed and I imagine the tooth will likey have to be completely pulled in that case. Good luck. And may you have much patience and understanding as you work with your kitty.
Response:
You’re kidding, aren’t you? Keep your hands away from her teeth. And if you’re petting her and her tail starts to flick back and forth–stop petting her. tmm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered— > — > Have a gid day, eh??? John.
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
You can’t possibly be serious. MG
Response:
: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount : of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! : But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing : or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? : All suggestions considered— Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why have the cat, just kill her. Or maybe… just maybe.. you could see why she’s biting you, maybe she has a sore spot you keep petting (a vet visit should clear this up. Specially possible if she keeps biting you when you pet a certain area). Or maybe she doesn’t want to be pet at that time. Maybe you’ll have to figure out when she wants to be pet. Maybe you’ll even have to train her to like being pet (I had a cat who didnt’ like being pet, but she wouldn’t mind it when curled up. So I pet her then. Eventually she got to like it so much now that she begs constantly for attention). Tigress — The root cause of problems is simple overpopulation. People just aren’t worth very much any more, and they know it. Makes ‘em testy. …Bev | _,,,—,,_ Tigress /,`.-’`’ -. ;-;;,_ http://havoc.gtf.gatech.edu/tigress ’—”(_/–’ `-’_) Cat by Felix Lee.
Response:
My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? All suggestions considered— — Have a gid day, eh??? John.
Response:
Robert, I have a kitty that does this to me, too. He comes over for a petting, nips my hand, pets himself against my hand, nips me again. I pet him, then pause, then he nips me, harder each time. Then I say that’s enough. I don’t know why he does this. Perhaps, since cats are creatures of habit (and pleasure), he considers his nipping as a pleasurable habit and in his little walnut brain, he thinks, "Give a Nip. Get a Pet"…..or something. Teresa P.S. I hoped it was just a sick joke, too.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My cat Puff is a biter, big time. When I am sleeping he comes up to my face > and head butts me until I wake up. I then pet him as he so commands and he > starts biting on my arm. As I pet more he bites harder to the point it > leave indent marks in my arm. > It’s not often I say this, but I really hope this John character is just a > troll. > Robert M.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >: of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! >: But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >: or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? >: All suggestions considered— >Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could >scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could >possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could >ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could >step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and >that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over >you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why >have the cat, just kill her.
That makes sense. Then you could have her gutted and stuffed at a taxidermist.
Response:
If you own a cat, you need to own a bottle of antiseptic and a band-aid factory. My cat Harley loves to bite-playfully. When he gets pissed-I know it and leave him alone. When I get tired of his biting and attacking my arm-he knows it or at least realizes something is amiss as he flies through the air across the room. He then settles down and we get along just fine till he gets in my face again. I tend to agree with the poster who suggested you kill your cat and have him stuffed. You will be safe then. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >: of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! >: But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >: or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? >: All suggestions considered— >Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could >scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could >possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could >ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could >step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and >that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over >you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why >have the cat, just kill her. > That makes sense. Then you could have her gutted and stuffed at a taxidermist.
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered— > You can’t possibly be serious.
The sick thing is, I interned for a vet who did this once. Keep in mind this was the same vet that told a woman that the best way to stop her kitten from crying at night was to put a dog shock collar on him. The really sick part was that the woman actually called the connected store a few days later to find out how much one would cost. Sethran – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
I do hope you are not serious. Here are reasons why a cat bites. 1. It’s defending itself 2. It’s telling you you’ve touched sohewhere it didn’t like 3. It’s showing love and affection for you. 4. WHEN IT EATS you goof.. You take away some of his teeth and you liable to end up with sick kitty because it can chew properly My cat Puff is a biter, big time. When I am sleeping he comes up to my face and head butts me until I wake up. I then pet him as he so commands and he starts biting on my arm. As I pet more he bites harder to the point it leave indent marks in my arm. It’s not often I say this, but I really hope this John character is just a troll. Robert M.
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
Being of the supposedly smarter species you should find lots of stuff on cat behavior in your bookstores and all over the internet. Learn what your cat’s body language is telling you and you will learn the "biting imminent" signs. Knowing these signs is your key to modifying kitty’s behavior. When you see kitty is getting agitated/excited and heading towards the unwanted behavior of biting you can stop whatever event has caused the agitation and leave the room, or distract the behavoir with a toy in place of your hand. You have to redirect the behavoir towards an appropriate item such as a toy and be observant enough to not place yourself in a position where biting behavoir will occur. Remember too that positive reinforcement for desired behavior works very well when used consistently. Also, it may be of some help to try something like Bach’s Flower Remedy to calm the cat so that you may begin working with it. My experience with a biting cat: I had an extremely aggressive 5 week old foster kitten that I had bottle raised. She was a single orphaned kitten, no littlermates, which is most likely why she became aggressive. She would literally attack my face if I tried to lay down in her presence. The behavior shocked me, I was concerned that when she grew up and was larger she could do serious damage. I wound up keeping this kitten because I was afraid she would get bounced from home to home if she were to be adopted out. It was very hard and very frustrating to try working with her to redirect this agressive behavior. I had two tools to use in my favor: she did crave human companionship, and she did exhibit specific body language prior to attacks. Knowing these two things I used them for her training. While she was still tiny I would immediately leave the room when she attacked – one firm vocal "no" combined with a quick, calm exit. I would stay away for a bit then return to try again, always being consitent and leaving when attacked. As the behavior persisted I then began replacing my flesh with a toy which she was allowed and even encouraged to bite. All the while I never allowed her to initiate playtime activities; if we played with toys it was to be on my terms – this because of the attacking behavior. Then as she got a bit older I could easily see the body language (barely twitching the tip of her tail, ears held ever so slightly flatter & to the sides, the eyes get a distinctive gaze, and the head pulls back just a bit) that warned of an impending attack and I would leave upon seeing these signs or I would give her a biting toy. She, Annie, was quite a challenge for me but I am glad I chose to keep her. I still call her my 180 degree kitty – one second the dearest, sweetest little kitty and the next a little monster – but now she has learned that biting human flesh and sneek attacks are not acceptable and I have learned when to leave her alone. I find that lots of play is good for my wild child – keeps her more relaxed! She is only 10 months old now, but we have learned to communicate by reading each other’s body language and I do not get aggressively attacked or bitten any more. There are times that I must reinforce the training as when she might try to gently attack my ankle, but now all I need to do is tell her "No." firmly but gently and she’ll run off in a hyper huff and go attack a scratching post or a big stuffed toy. Of course when she attacks the appropriately toy or post she gets big praise, and mucho positive reinforcement! What a gooooooood kitty! I have a friend who’s vet defanged her cats. I don’t ask her why or say anything about it because it was done over 12 years ago. I think its deplorable though. It is a mutilation by definition. It is my hope that sharing my experience may give you some insight and save your kitty from having it’s teeth filed – OUCH! Remember that if your vet files too far the nerve will be exposed and I imagine the tooth will likey have to be completely pulled in that case. Good luck. And may you have much patience and understanding as you work with your kitty.
Response:
You’re kidding, aren’t you? Keep your hands away from her teeth. And if you’re petting her and her tail starts to flick back and forth–stop petting her. tmm – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount > of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing > or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered— > — > Have a gid day, eh??? John.
Response:
> My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount >of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! > But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing >or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? > All suggestions considered—
You can’t possibly be serious. MG
Response:
: My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount : of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! : But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing : or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? : All suggestions considered— Well, let’s see, first you are going to have to declaw her cause she could scratch you. Then you’ll have to defang her. But why stop there? She could possibly bruise her with her toothless mouth or her little teeth could ahrm you, tape it shut and put a tube down it to feed her. But she could step on you when you are laying down at precisely the wrong place and that could hurt. Better put her in a little cage so she can’t roam over you. And that tail could whip you, let’s cut it off too. By that time, why have the cat, just kill her. Or maybe… just maybe.. you could see why she’s biting you, maybe she has a sore spot you keep petting (a vet visit should clear this up. Specially possible if she keeps biting you when you pet a certain area). Or maybe she doesn’t want to be pet at that time. Maybe you’ll have to figure out when she wants to be pet. Maybe you’ll even have to train her to like being pet (I had a cat who didnt’ like being pet, but she wouldn’t mind it when curled up. So I pet her then. Eventually she got to like it so much now that she begs constantly for attention). Tigress — The root cause of problems is simple overpopulation. People just aren’t worth very much any more, and they know it. Makes ‘em testy. …Bev | _,,,—,,_ Tigress /,`.-’`’ -. ;-;;,_ http://havoc.gtf.gatech.edu/tigress ’—”(_/–’ `-’_) Cat by Felix Lee.
Response:
My Siamese has a nasty habit of biting me if I pet her. No amount of discouraging helps. O.K., you say, don’t pet her !! But hey, what are cats for ? Any suggestions for grinding or filing or otherwise dulling these little weapons ??? All suggestions considered— — Have a gid day, eh??? John.
Response:
Related Posts