Biting

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

My newbie Snoopy has the habbit to bite when you scratch her tummy or chin. It doesn't hurt a bit, but it will when she groes up and keeps doing this . I am trying to learn her not to bite, but I am not sure how.
Now I tap softly on her nose while saying firmly "NO !!!".
Any advize on this?

[moosmom]

Sounds like you might be over stimulating her. The best thing to do when she bites is to stop, say "NO!!" loudly and walk away. This should help to deter her from biting.

The best thing to do with kittens her age is to play with her using kitty toys, albeit teaser wand, stuffed mice, etc. Avoid using your hands as this encourages her to bite and she'll think it's a toy.

Hope this helps!!

[Sonia59]

I would advise the same as Moosmom. Unfortunately I did not do it enough with baby Peppito and I played a lot with my hands with him, and now he is a "biter" (perhaps he would have been anyway).

At the shelter I see a lot of biting kittens, while other ones don't bite at all. Usually, saying a firm "NO" and playing with a toy with them helps a lot.

[Cataholic]

I may regret saying this, but, ALL my kittens were little biters like you said...and I didn't discourage or encourage it. Today, no one bites me (well, Gus does, but, he is still a kitten). Just my opinion.....

[treybabe]

My newbie Snoopy has the habbit to bite when you scratch her tummy or chin. It doesn't hurt a bit, but it will when she groes up and keeps doing this . I am trying to learn her not to bite, but I am not sure how.
Now I tap softly on her nose while saying firmly "NO !!!".
Any advize on this?

They bite like that for various reasons: like they just want to play with you and nipping can be play for them since they probably did it with their siblings...or she may be trying to tell you to touch her more gently or not scratch her tummy or chin. Or when you stop and she nips she could be saying, "More, please." And she could also be saying, "no more, please." Anyway, it is good to nip the nipping in the bud, so to speak, before she gets much older and it becomes an ingrained habit. Sounds like you are doing the right thing in your reaction and she should get the message that this is not acceptable behavior for her to be biting.

For two years I have had an adopted stray [three years old](from a rescue shelter) who did this frequently when we first got her, and still does every so often. I have always let her know that this is not acceptable in the same way you are doing. I also watch how I pet her. She likes to be patted rather than rubbed. And if I approach to make sure she is watching me first...like no surprises for her! With her I have to watch that I don't pick her up unless absolutely necessary, but she'll come up to me when she is ready for a lap session or just a little pat or stroke. My other two cats don't mind being carried at all and never nip when they are held, stroked, or rubbed especially under the chin. Each is so different.

Good luck...

[carrie]

The biting reflex when rubbed on the tummy is an instinctive behaviour. In domesticated cats it is stronger in some individuals than others. Saying, "No!" when the cat bites in this situation will have no effect on it's behaviour.....a bit like the doctor saying, "No!" when he taps your knee and expecting you to learn not to move your leg. It is strongly linked to sexual behaviour and the cat will either have a strong urge to react when it is mature or it won't. Neutering has no effect on the behaviour. It's a cat thing!!!!

[mamatimes9]

My kitten used to bite whenever I petted her, even though she liked the attention. I would tell her "NO bite!" and rub my palm over her face briefly. She learned not to bite, and my discipline did not hurt her, just startled a bit. Oh, and right after I would do it, I would continue to pet her nicely, if she didn't bite. She obviously wanted the petting, she just didn't know how to properly show her affection.

[Beauty17]

I thought that most kitties tended to bite or scratch if you messed with their bellies. Those that don't, I thought, were the exception - exceptionally mild. Just my thoughts. As in - your kitty is normal. That is their most vulnerable spot, and they are instinctively protecting it - or - they get over-excited and bite. As you say, your cat is being gentle. Usually if my cat is biting me and it hurts, I stop what I am doing - and cry out a bit and say, "Stop!" and she stops. But if I try to pull back before I make her stop, she just claws and bites more - it is too much like a game or a hunting thing.