My rambunctious Shadow

[fragrancehound]

Shadow was a stray cat I took in a few years ago. Actually I found him on Christmas day to be exact! He is 3 yrs. old and healthy but very rambunctious. Everytime I sit at my computer he bites my leg. For some strange reason he just doesn't like when I work at my computer. Other times I will sit on the floor with him and play and he will bite my hand. I don't know if I touched him the wrong way or something but man his biting hurts. It is not all the time but certainly enough. Other than the biting he is a very loving cat. Any suggestions on how to curb this bad habit?

I also have another cat, Magic, who is a 9 yr. old female and just the sweetest thing. She is very shy. My 2 babies tolerate each other but Magic is afraid of Shadow. He chases her and she runs and hides. He has never attacked or bitten Magic but she lets out these blood curdling meows that could make the hair on your neck stand up. Many times I have to intervene. I've tried playing with them together as well as separating them. I don't know what else to do. Ideas??

[jennielynn1970]

Has Shadow just started doing this, or has it been ongoing? Did he and Panther used to play a lot together? Do you think maybe he wants a younger cat to romp with??

My foster Furbee sounds like your Magic. She shrieks like she's being torn apart whenever any of the other cats even walk near her. I've had her with me for a year and a half now, and she's still this huge fraidy cat! She's the biggest of them all, but she is just not a social girl. She tolerates petting from me, and a few others, but will nip too. I think she just needs a home where she is the one and only cat, with some very laid back people who will give her time to settle in. When she was at the shelter I volunteer for she was petrified and wouldn't eat. At least it's better for her here, but until she finds a forever home, she's with the others... still love her to pieces though. She's sweet in her own ways, and would be a wonderful only pet, only she can't be that in my house, lol.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm not sure what to tell you because I also have a biter. My Starr will sometimes bite me very hard for no reason at all. He's never drawn blood but his teeth marks can be seen in my hand.

I have 3 older cats and 3 younger cats. Storm will be 11 in Jan.,Sunny is 6, Sky is 4, Starr and Pearl are 1, and Ziggy Stardust is a little over 6 months old. This mix seems to work well for me because there are enough cats that are willing to play with each other so others have the chance to rest and relax if needed. Maybe Shadow needs a play buddy so that Magic can then have a chance to rest and be left alone. Good luck.

[fragrancehound]

I'm not sure what to tell you because I also have a biter. My Starr will sometimes bite me very hard for no reason at all. He's never drawn blood but his teeth marks can be seen in my hand.

That is how Shadow is too! He has always been a biter since he has been with me although he does bite less now than he did when he first came to live here. Maybe it is a matter of trust with him?? I don't know how long he was on the street before I took him in so could be a factor.

I've thought about adopting another cat but quite frankly I am not ready yet emotionally or financially. I miss my Panther too much.

It's wierd because they both will sleep on the same bed but once they are wide awake ..oh man I have to play referee. It's tiring.

[KitCat]

My cat was a biter. I had to train him to know it's not acceptable. When he bites I scold him and take him off my lap. The other day he was aggressive so I put him in the room his litter box is in and left him there for a while. When he came out I could tell he knew he was punished because his body posture (belly low to the ground). Then I went over and petted him.

His training has worked out really well because he used to bite alot but now he just has a lapse now and then and I have to remind him it's not allowed.

I think if you let your kitty know it's not OK to bite he will be more gentle with the other cat also.

[mruffruff]

Mac will bite sometimes when I'm petting him. When he does, I yell "Ow!" and move away from him. He seems to 'get it' because he's been doing it less. He never bites hard, but I don't want him to think it's OK. He was an adult when I took him off the street a year ago.