Help! I've tried everything to make my cat stop biting me!

[ItalianRN]

I adopted a cat a few weeks ago. He is 1 1/2 yrs. old. He is absolutely precious except that he jumps on my dog's back & bites her neck. She is an 11 y/o small dog & passive. I spray my cat with water when he does this, but it doesn't seem to stop him from repeating this behavior at least once a day. I don't know what to do at this point. I don't want to return him to the shelter, but my dog is old & she cannot continue to be attacked in this way. She cries out everytime he jumps & bites her. What's really odd is that he tries to lie down next to her at times but she gets up & walks away from him since he started biting her. I'm at a loss.

I even took him to my friend's house & he jumped & bit her cat. We both believe that he is jealous. He is a very sweet cat, but possibly jealous of other animals. He is very affectionate & loving. If I can't get him to stop attacking my dog, I will have to bring him back to the shelter & I REALLY don't want to do that.

My friend suggested that I put him on Prozac for a while & see if that helps. I really don't believe in using meds on animals unless it is absolutely necessary. Can anyone help me? Do you think I should try the medication?

Please respond. Thank you.

[Medusa]

I adopted a cat a few weeks ago. He is 1 1/2 yrs. old. He is absolutely precious except that he jumps on my dog's back & bites her neck. She is an 11 y/o small dog & passive. I spray my cat with water when he does this, but it doesn't seem to stop him from repeating this behavior at least once a day. I don't know what to do at this point. I don't want to return him to the shelter, but my dog is old & she cannot continue to be attacked in this way. She cries out everytime he jumps & bites her. What's really odd is that he tries to lie down next to her at times but she gets up & walks away from him since he started biting her. I'm at a loss.

I even took him to my friend's house & he jumped & bit her cat. We both believe that he is jealous. He is a very sweet cat, but possibly jealous of other animals. He is very affectionate & loving. If I can't get him to stop attacking my dog, I will have to bring him back to the shelter & I REALLY don't want to do that.

My friend suggested that I put him on Prozac for a while & see if that helps. I really don't believe in using meds on animals unless it is absolutely necessary. Can anyone help me? Do you think I should try the medication?

Please respond. Thank you.

If you've tried spraying him w/water and saying firmly and loudly (though not yelling) NO! and your cat is still aggressive towards other animals then, yes, try the medication. I'm w/you; I didn't want to medicate my cats for any reasons other than medical. However, I now have 4 cats on Clomicalm which is used for inappropriate vertical spraying and also for aggression and anxiety. Some here on PT currently have their cats on Prozac and are seeing good results w/it. If it comes down to returning your cat to the shelter, which you've admitted that you don't want to do, or medicating him just so he mellows out (he won't be so drugged that he can't function; your vet will regulate his med until the dosage is right), then I think the choice should be obvious. Good luck w/this. I know how frustrating it can be but your kitty deserves a chance to show you that he can be a good boy. And your doggie deserves some peace, especially when you see that he wants to be friends w/your cat.

[catwhispers]

After doing a lot of research I found the following techinique which worked beautifully for me and I've posted it around the web in a few places. I just found one and cut and pasted here because it's a lot of typing to do from scratch each time. It's easier to do this technique if it's you the cat is biting, more diffiicult if it's the dog or someone or something else, but hopefully with some diligence and by at least stopping the cat from biting you, it will affect her behavior in other situations as well. Hey, it's worth a try. I like this technique becuase it is not only humane, and it not only teaches them to stop the unwanted behavior, it also, at the same time, teaches them more appropriate behavior. If you decide to give it a try, I wish you luck!

Here's what I cut and pasted ...

When I adopted my Deja Vu, she would often suddenly grab my hands with all fours, nails out, and start biting, kicking and scratching me with her back legs. She also would often attack my ankles when I walked past her.

I found the following technique after searching around the web, and although it seems to be a bit different than most I've seen, it worked beautifully. Within 3 days, whenever she had the urge to repeat the behavior, she would actually stop and look at me. All I had to do was wag my finger and say "uh uh uh" and she would stop and then play in a more appropriate way (more on that below). It took only a few more days for her to stop the biting and scratching behavior completely, both with hands amd ankles. She's been with me now for 3 years and never went back. Here's the technique, and I hope it works for you as well as it did for me.

When they bite or attack, even though the immediate reaction is to pull your hand back or yank your foot away, or even yell out "no" or something similar (because it hurts!) try not to do that and try to stay calm. It works better that way.

Also, always do this as soon as they start biting. If you wait too long, they won't make the conection.

As soon as the cat starts to bite, as quickly as possible but in as smooth a movement as possible so as not to surprise or scare the cat, move your hand away from their mouth and around their body to grab the scuff of the neck (like the mother cat would to pick them up).

Then, still moving quickly but still smoothly so this is all one quick step and movement, firmly but gently push the cat's head down towards the ground (so their chin in on the ground), at the same time in a loudish, somewhat harsh tone saying something like "No" or "Bad Kitty" or whatever you say to discipline (supposedly this is supposed to be very much like what a mother cat does to discipline her kittens, which is why it is supposed to work so well, at the same time not scaring the cat). Just make sure you are firm and gentle. The position is what is important, you don't want to inflict pain or negative emotions.

Then, as soon as you do that, let go. The cat should have calmed down. You can pet the cat, but just oncee or twice and say something soft and nice, but then immediately pick up one of the cat's toys that is appropriate for her to bite and play with roughly (I recommend the stick type toys with things dangling from the ends because it keeps your hands away from them so there is no confusion as to what is appropriate to play with and not. I left one of those in every room while I was trying to train her.) and play with the cat for a couple of minutes. I do not agree with the idea of leaving the cat to teach it a lesson. What lesson?

The reason for this final step is that when they do the biting behavior it's a how cats play, and it probably indicates that a tthe moment they have a lot of energy that needs t be expended. They will play with people, with dogs, the way they are taught to play as kittens, and that play was training to hunt. This technique addresses that, gives them what they need, a way to expend energy and playfulness, but teaches them more appropriate ways of expending that energy. Sort of a "good games, bad games" lesson.

This worked so well for me, and to this day she feels free to go as crazy as she wants when I play with her with her toys, but will stop when it's just my hand, yet she is not afraid of my hands in the least. She just knows that hands are for petting and scratching backs and rubbing bellies and giving treats (especially a few drops of maple syrup, her favorite, go figure), and not for biting.

The reason I liked this technique is that it not only stopped the bad behaior, it taught her appropriate behavior at the same time. Now, 3 years later, you couldn't ask for a sweeter, more loving, amusing, playful cat that does not bite. Or scratch. Or attack. One who was a feral fed by neighbors before I took her in.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

[Medusa]

As soon as the cat starts to bite, as quickly as possible but in as smooth a movement as possible so as not to surprise or scare the cat, move your hand away from their mouth and around their body to grab the scuff of the neck (like the mother cat would to pick them up).

Then, still moving quickly but still smoothly so this is all one quick step and movement, firmly but gently push the cat's head down towards the ground (so their chin in on the ground), at the same time in a loudish, somewhat harsh tone saying something like "No" or "Bad Kitty" or whatever you say to discipline (supposedly this is supposed to be very much like what a mother cat does to discipline her kittens, which is why it is supposed to work so well, at the same time not scaring the cat). Just make sure you are firm and gentle. The position is what is important, you don't want to inflict pain or negative emotions.

I concur w/this totally. I watched my tortie cat Pigeon in action w/my rambunctious little 1/2 lb. 5 week old calico Puddy who charged her and tried to head butt her. Pigeon held Puddy's head down w/her massive paw and Puddy squirmed and squawked but Pigeon would not release her until she calmed down. Pidge wasn't Puddy's mom but she acted like one and the two of them became good buds after that.

[ItalianRN]

I've been using the Mother cat pin down & so far so good !!!! I've also used the thumb in the mouth & that has worked as well.

I just want to thank everyone for their help. I really would like this to work out. He's such a great cat. I just have to work on breaking the bad habits & we'll be okay.

[catwhispers]

I'm rootin' for you both! I hope it works out and please keep us posted!

Don't forget the follow through by playing with him afterwards. I really think it makes a difference.