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Hi everyone,
Does any of you experienced any biting episodes. Dexter is 7 months, really active but he seems to think biting is ok. Let me tell you this cat bites hard !!! Never punctured the skin but will not release his grip until he got to do the jack rabbit punch with his back legs.
I don't think he is doing this to be mean…. Any idea how to curb this ? Will he grow out of it ? I am not really sure who to handle this.
Hi there, firstly congratulations on a healthy and active MC baby! But you are right to be concerned - play-biting can go too far and can hurt. It is perfectly normal kitten play, but they don't always know where to draw the line, so you have to show them. What I do is to say in a very stern voice 'hey - be nice, be nice' and they soon stop or let go, even if they have that wild look in their eyes. If that doesn't work at first, yell out 'Owwww!' as if you're in total agony and act really, really hurt. Then totally detach and leave the room. Dexter should understand your tone, and the fact that you have stopped the game and left him alone, will help to make your point. Make sure the rest of your household do the same. Sometimes if one family member thinks it's funny to play rough and have his sleeve shredded, (sorry, but it is usually a bloke!) the behaviour will continue, and this could make things difficult with visitors....
Good luck and don't forget to post some pictures of your babe!
You could also try keeping a water pistol or water sprayer close by. If he starts playing up a quick squirt might make him think twice about doing it. I've used the water pistol trick with some success in the past. It doesn't hurt them and they also dont associate you with giving them punishment. They soon understand that biting has an unpleasant consequence! Hope this helps
A stern 'no sylvie!' and then a bit of ignoring for a few minutes seems to be working with sylvester- he's 2, a bit too old for biting!
Hey, Bubbies. I completely agree with Howlinbob - it's perfectly normal and natural, but drawing the line is important. I don't mind a bit of gentle nibbling but it must be gentle, and I take exactly the same approach as HB - I will always say "Gently" in a low, slow and calm voice. Freyja will usually stop the nibbling, eye me, and then lick the bit she's just chewed.
With Wicca I usually have to resort to agonised howling, followed by some time where I won't even look at her. She's thicker skinned than Freyja and it's taking a bit longer for her to get the hint, but she does stop quicker than she used to.
Apparantly, the ouch bit works as it's similar to how cats show each other their displeasure - a growl/hiss/yelp, followed by the injured playmate walking off and ignoring the other one.
Pyrate is a biting maniac, cannot seem to engage without biting me and everything else. Also has very sharp claws and paws everything so we clip his nails. Both kittens like to lick my chin then bite, so I don't let them near my face.
Since Pyrate does not seem to be 'growing out' of the biting, will have to gently correct. Boy does he love mouthing everything! Barbossa a little but not as obsessed.
Thank you all. I will try to post picture of my kitty. I will try the trick with pretending he is hurting me since I know the water bottle dosent do anything. He likes to be sprayed with it.....kind of crazy
What a stunner Dexter is & he looks as if he is going to be huge,bad boy,never,not with that super looking face,don't believe you mum....!
Wow, he's a looker with his long pointy ears! Love the white patch on his nose.:nod:
I agree with the others... a stern vocal warning followed by a bit of ignoring. It works over here as well.