I grew up with cats. I am now 31 and my uncle just passed away and so
I got his 5 month old cat. This is the first time I have had a cat I
am soley resposable for. I have these two questions:
01. The cat likes to play with my hand and bite and basiclly wrestle
it. I remember some time ago I read that when the cat wants to wrestle
your hand to put a glove on. I tried this but then the cat just bites
up my arm in the fleash.
02. I live in a basemnet and it is important that the cat not get out.
Af course, the cat tries at every opportinuity. Any suggestions.
Thanks for your help.
wester@laway.net - 26 Dec 2004 09:19 GMT
>I grew up with cats. I am now 31 and my uncle just passed away and so
>I got his 5 month old cat. This is the first time I have had a cat I
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>your hand to put a glove on. I tried this but then the cat just bites
>up my arm in the fleash.
K. Good job there.. I can only suggest a gauntlet
>02. I live in a basemnet and it is important that the cat not get out.
>Af course, the cat tries at every opportinuity. Any suggestions.
Feh. They will try. Mine (boy and girl cats) gonna getchya. Ya.
>Thanks for your help.
sethra - 27 Dec 2004 07:27 GMT
Child, Living D. wrote in news:h2rss09p9vp0cch4mmpkadkt958h3f4av0@
4ax.com:
> I grew up with cats. I am now 31 and my uncle just passed away and so
> I got his 5 month old cat. This is the first time I have had a cat I
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> your hand to put a glove on. I tried this but then the cat just bites
> up my arm in the fleash.
Some suggestions:
Positive Reinforcement:
Get a variety of other toys and attempt to distract the cat with those
when it wants to bite. They don't all have to be the more expensive pet
shop toys, and sometimes the cat may like "found" toys more than
purchased ones; a couple examples of the absolute favorite cat toys in
our house are straws and little bits of ice.
Negative Reinforcement:
Say in a loud and stern voice, "NO!" when the cat bites, and/or use a
spray bottle filled with water. Putting on a glove and allowing the
behavior will only encourage it. Never strike the cat as punishment.
> 02. I live in a basemnet and it is important that the cat not get out.
> Af course, the cat tries at every opportinuity. Any suggestions.
Be quite observant, and use the spray bottle. Just about every cat will
try to "escape" at one time or another. Once the cat is more familiar
with the new surroundings this behavior may decrease.
The success will probably depend more or less on the cat's personality.

Signature
~sethra
sethra - 27 Dec 2004 08:05 GMT
Child, Living D. wrote in news:h2rss09p9vp0cch4mmpkadkt958h3f4av0@
4ax.com:
> I grew up with cats. I am now 31 and my uncle just passed away and so
> I got his 5 month old cat. This is the first time I have had a cat I
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> 02. I live in a basemnet and it is important that the cat not get out.
> Af course, the cat tries at every opportinuity. Any suggestions.
I just found this, which also has some good suggestions on it.
Source:
http://cats.about.com/od/faqsbehavior/f/scratchbitekit.htm
By Franny Syufy
<quoting web page>
Curing the Habit of Scratching and Biting Okay, so you didn't learn your
lesson the first time around. What do you do now when a couple of pats on
your cat's tummy are rewarded with bloody scratches? There are a few
things you can do to distance yourself from these play attacks:
Trim His Claws
Hey, Rome wasn't built in a night, and it will take quite some time to
retrain your cat. Meanwhile, you might as well protect yourself from
damage. Claw trimming should be done regularly, anyway. There is no need
ever to declaw a cat because of scratching behavior. Click here for a
detailed step-by-step instruction for trimming your cat's claws.
Use Soft Claws
(Or Soft Paws - the same product as sold by veterinarians.) Soft Claws
are plastic "Nail Caps" for cats, which take the sting out of scratching
and minimize damage to furniture.
Yell "Ouch"
Don't scream it, but say "Ouch" loudly and clearly. While you have your
cat's attention, slowly remove your hand from his clutches. Don't yank it
away or he'll think play is on, and he'll grab it again.
"Scruff Him"
This is one of the most effective forms of discipline of cats. It mimics
the punishment given a kitten by his mother when he became unruly. Grasp
him by the scruff of the neck and firmly push him down toward the floor,
while saying "No!" in a firm tone of voice. Hold him in this position for
only three or four seconds and release. Chances are, he'll slink away,
thoroughly chastened, to bathe and recover his dignity. But he'll
remember this lesson for a long time.
Redirect His Attention
Often playful biting of hands or feet occurs simply because your cat is
bored, and is looking for a play object. Give him 15 minutes of active
play with an interactive toy. Da Bird is a great choice. For two years it
has defended its position as the top interactive toy as well as the top
overall toy in my Top Picks. Alternatively, try a laser-beam type toy
that kittens can chase and pounce on, or even one of those "gloves" with
very long dangling "fingers."
<end quote>

Signature
~sethra