my kitty bites

[Freyja]

Hello

About a month ago I brought home two very sick cats. They are sisters and have always been together. I have been working with my vet to get them back to health. And it has been working! They are now both active and acting like cats finally. But the bigger of my cats bites when you pet her. When she does this I stop petting her and she begins to meow at me until I touch her again then she bites me again after just a few moments. I figure that if I don't pet her after she bites me then she will stop but now she will get in my lap and if I am petting the other cats she will bat my hand hard. And if ther doesn't stop me from petting her sister she will bite her sister and chase her off then sit on the floor at me feet and not let her sister near me. I don't understand if this is an act of aggression or possesion. It took me whole month just to get her to trust me and now it seems she won't share me. Any help in understanding this would be great. and also sorry this is so long. I finally got the diahrea under control and the vet was really pleased with their progress but now the one that bites has started to spit up this clear spit like stuff i was wondering if she might have a hairball, she has short hair.

[Medusa]

It does sound as though she's jealous and possessive and doesn't want any other cats to get attention. Do not allow her to continue to bite you. The next time she does that, firmly and loudly (don't shout) say "NO BITING!". If she continues, w/one finger LIGHTLY tap her across the nose and say it again. If it still continues, withdraw your attention from her. She has to get the message that biting is unacceptable. Do the same thing if she exhibits that behavior w/the other cats. As for the clear liquid that she vomits, my vet says to call him if any of my cats vomits more than twice. Sometimes they just have a sour stomach and one time doesn't get it all out; same w/humans. The clear liquid, though, could be bile, so keep an eye on her. It may be nothing but don't take a chance. She can become dehydrated very quickly, so just watch her, make sure she's drinking water and if she continues to vomit, call your vet ASAP. Hope this helps and please keep us posted on her progress. :)

[Freyja]

Thanks I have been telling her NO BITE when she does that. I am afriad to use any physical punishment like tapping her noise since she seems to have a fear of hands. Like I said they were both really sick when i got them. The vet was worried that they weren't going to make it. Their progress has been outstanding. It turned out that the clear vomit was a hairball and for 2 days she hasn't done it. Just scared me a bit because like I said when I first brought her home she was half dead. I will contunie to tell her no bite and withdraw affection when she does. Thanks you so much for the advice. When i brought her home she had a real trust issue with humans and I was just worried that it was more of an aggression but when she is getting her own way she is truly affectionate LOL.