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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / April 2005Love Bites?
Often when my kitty is lounging on my lap or on the couch with me, if my hands are near his mouth, he will sniff them an then sort of bite me, but not hard. Lately, I have been wimpering out loud when he does it to let him know that it hurts and he will stop usually. Is this behvior a sign of affection? His tail is not swishing or anything - in fact he seems totally relaxed, but I don't know if it's strange or if I should do something else to indicate that he should stop it. Thanks in advance. > Often when my kitty is lounging on my lap or on the couch with me, if > my hands are near his mouth, he will sniff them an then sort of bite [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Thanks in advance. My cat does this when laying on my computer desk next to me. Seems to be a last resort for getting my attention when I try to ignore him. He wants his head scratched and if I ignore him long enough after he has tried nuzzling my hand he resorts to this. I have scolded him several times for this and now the little bites are more gentle. Also cats do seem to get nippy when they are content for some reason.  SignaturePaul O. My sig line is my disclaimer to any advice given Absolutely clueless when it comes to cats Learning more every day, but still clueless oplholik@hotmail.com > Often when my kitty is lounging on my lap or on the couch with me, if > my hands are near his mouth, he will sniff them an then sort of bite [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > that it hurts and he will stop usually. Is this behvior a sign of > affection? Yes. It can also be dominance. It can also be a warning - "Stop petting me or you get the big teeth!" or it could be "Pet me more,please." Depends on the cat and the mood - you really just have to learn what he wants. >His tail is not swishing or anything - in fact he seems > totally relaxed, but I don't know if it's strange or if I should do > something else to indicate that he should stop it. > > Thanks in advance. If you want him to stop, then remove your hand from within biting distance. If you yell or scream he is likely to get more excited. Usually they will just grab on and then let go, though. -L. > > Often when my kitty is lounging on my lap or on the couch with me, if > > my hands are near his mouth, he will sniff them an then sort of bite [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > -L. My cat bites me if I whistle, comes up behind me on the sofa and has been known to bite my head. So I don't whistle! But if he hears whistling on the TV, i.e. the music to the X-Files, he still bites me... so I have to turn down the sound for the theme music if I'm watching the re-runs. He doesn't bite anyone else that whistles in the house, strange. > My cat bites me if I whistle, comes up behind me on the sofa and has > been known to bite my head. So I don't whistle! Hahaha, you Marcia, are a prime example of the genetic outcome of "only the strongest and smartest survive! :) But if he hears > whistling on the TV, i.e. the music to the X-Files, he still bites > me... so I have to turn down the sound for the theme music if I'm > watching the re-runs. He doesn't bite anyone else that whistles in > the house, strange. I need to see this cat. Got any pics? > > My cat bites me if I whistle, comes up behind me on the sofa and has > > been known to bite my head. So I don't whistle! [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > I need to see this cat. Got any pics? Are you implying that Lord Otis (one of his many given titles) is the boss in this house? If so, you'd be perfectly correct! Still - as he's older than me (well in cat years), it is only respectful that he gets to call the shots, that and the fact that I worship him, and tend to his every need, including his various medical ones. I will post a pic shortly for you to see his royal highness in his full splendour if he lets me use the computer without insisting on sitting his large bum in front of the monitor, that's another of his tricks. > > > My cat bites me if I whistle, comes up behind me on the sofa and has > > > been known to bite my head. So I don't whistle! [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Are you implying that Lord Otis (one of his many given titles) is the > boss in this house? My first comment is just my recognition that you're smarter than the average human! He bites you when you whistle so you don't whistle! I tell you, it's brilliant. You have no idea how many people post the equivalent of "Help! My cat bites me in the head when I whistle! How can I stop him!" :) >If so, you'd be perfectly correct! Or even if not, apparently! Still - as > he's older than me (well in cat years), it is only respectful that he > gets to call the shots, that and the fact that I worship him, and tend > to his every need, including his various medical ones. Now this is just a second testimony to your great wisdom and full pool of common sense. :) I too slave away for cats due to the same sort of total worship. >I will post a > pic shortly for you to see his royal highness in his full splendour if > he lets me use the computer without insisting on sitting his large bum > in front of the monitor, that's another of his tricks. I and my masters Cheeky and Buddha will eagerly await this event. We will give burnt offerings to the Upload Gods to help ensure the transfer of the photos. 8) > > "Mary" <marys@catlovernospam.com> wrote in message > news:<1112749432.9b6038674ba2226a6d74d828bdeb638e@teranews>... [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > this event. We will give burnt offerings to the Upload Gods > to help ensure the transfer of the photos. 8) Wow, I'm grateful! Mind you, I don't know how to solve the following problem: cat scratching post, impregnated with catnip sits next to sofa (best place for it), guess which one he prefers to scratch - that's OK as my sofa's old but I'm getting new ones soon and I don't want it to continue. The little devil knows it's banned behaviour and so doesn't do it in front of me. Grrr Mind you, I don't know how to solve the following > problem: cat scratching post, impregnated with catnip sits next to > sofa (best place for it), guess which one he prefers to scratch - > that's OK as my sofa's old but I'm getting new ones soon and I don't > want it to continue. The little devil knows it's banned behaviour and > so doesn't do it in front of me. Grrr Here is the single thing that stopped my cats from scratching the furniture: http://www.petcarecentral.com/cospetprodsc.html Like you, I put them by the favorite scratching places. They LOVE it! I think it is the angle, as the flat ones and the posts did not do it for them. I hope you can get it in the uk, if that is where you are. (Guessing from the email address and the photo caption!) > Mind you, I don't know how to solve the following > > problem: cat scratching post, impregnated with catnip sits next to [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > get it in the uk, if that is where you are. (Guessing > from the email address and the photo caption!) That looks great, I won't order it from the US as the shipping is too expensive, but will try and find one over here if I can - ta. He uses his scratching post when I'm around, only uses the sofa when I'm not. > > Mind you, I don't know how to solve the following > > > problem: cat scratching post, impregnated with catnip sits next to [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > expensive, but will try and find one over here if I can - ta. He uses > his scratching post when I'm around, only uses the sofa when I'm not. They are so crafty! :) I admit, mine might still use the furniture when I am not looking, but I have noticed no increase in damage. Hope you can find the Alpine Scratcher! Let me know the best price you can get in the UK (if you can find it there) and we'll compare what it might be shipped from here to there. Here it costs about $13 US. I imagine you could make one quite easily. When the scratchy insert is worn out and I could not get to PetSmart to get another, I have bought the flat kind sold in all our grocery stores and just used clear packing tape to secure it to the Alpine scratcher so it has the incline. Anyway, email me if I can help you. I do overseas mailings all the time. > Wow, I'm grateful! Mind you, I don't know how to solve the following > problem: cat scratching post, impregnated with catnip sits next to > sofa (best place for it), guess which one he prefers to scratch - > that's OK as my sofa's old but I'm getting new ones soon and I don't > want it to continue. The little devil knows it's banned behaviour and > so doesn't do it in front of me. Grrr This reminds me of the tale of Hayley and Bo. Hayley is a lady I work with and she has always wanted a cat but her parents wouldn't let her then she lived in the nurses home and then in a succession of flats that did not allow pets. But finally she and her BF moved into a flat that would allow pets and BF promised to buy her a kitten for Xmas. A few weeks before Xmas her BF was on his way home from work or whatever and he saw this pathetic little ball of fur in the middle of a busy road so he scooped the ball up, took the ball home and they took it to the nearest vet who annouced the ball was a female kitten, about 1 month old, basically healthy but very thin. Four months later the little ball of skinny fur is now named Bo and supervises the activities of her slaves from her own radiator bed. No-one knows why she was cowering in the road but she has found a forever home But I think Hayley has a few things to learn yet, a couple of weeks ago I asked after Bo and she replied "She's lovely but she's starting to scratch the furniture" "No problem" says I (all false confidence) "Time to get the squirt bottle out" (Definate false confidence there, Sarrasine would sooner get wet than stop what she's doing on principle and Redunzel uses the post to stand on so she can reach her favourite bit of the chair) "Oh no" says Hayley "I don't mind. The furniture is awful, it was all left behing by the last people and it's worn out. We are going to get some new stuff but I don't mind if Bo rips this old stuff to bits....." Then she looked at me and started to look very worried and she uttered the memorable line that proves she still has a lot to learn... "They do grow out of it don't they?" (I told her yes when they were about 23) Lesley Slave of the Fabulous Furballs > Often when my kitty is lounging on my lap or on the couch with me, if > my hands are near his mouth, he will sniff them an then sort of bite [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Thanks in advance. Yes, he loves you. And what you are doing--the whimpering-- is exactly how to intelligently show him that biting hurts. Good job! We would love to see your kitty! You could post a link to a photo site here or post his photo in alt.binaries.pictures.animals. Yes, love bites! It's affection. I had a little cat named Jennifer who would do that from the time she was a kitten. She just sort of closed her mouth on my fingers, with hardly any pressure at all. I found it endearing and, since I lived alone and seldom had visitors, I chose not to discourage that natural behavior -- but I always made sure to warn visitors! Sandy > Often when my kitty is lounging on my lap or on the couch with me, if > my hands are near his mouth, he will sniff them an then sort of bite [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Thanks in advance. My cat has the ability to detect the minute my feet pop out of the bed sheets, for some reason Georgie has a thing for my big toes, if they happen to become uncovered Georgie is right there nibbling on them. I'm usually too tired to scold him, I've contemplated wearing slippers to bed but have just learned to keep my feet under the sheets. > My cat has the ability to detect the minute my feet pop out of the bed > sheets, for some reason Georgie has a thing for my big toes, if they > happen to become uncovered Georgie is right there nibbling on them. > I'm usually too tired to scold him, I've contemplated wearing slippers > to bed but have just learned to keep my feet under the sheets. Awww! Have we seen photos of Georgie? How old is he and might you tell his story? >> My cat has the ability to detect the minute my feet pop out of the bed >> sheets, for some reason Georgie has a thing for my big toes, if they [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >Awww! Have we seen photos of Georgie? How old is he and might >you tell his story? Georgie is my first cat, a pound cat, and I have had him since september. My 17 year old Jack Russell Terrier passed away last July, shortly after there was this cat that started coming around wanting inside. I never really had any exposure to a cat before but this fluff ball that kept visiting me really won me over. Before I was going provide him a home I put a collar and a little capsule with my name and a note on it. Shortly after I received a call from the cats owner saying that yes he does have a home. I was really kind of bummed out over it so I made my way to the spca and this lively tuxedo cat, Georgie, just stole my heart. The rest is history. "GrapplerGurl" <girlzrock@here.com> wrote : > >Awww! Have we seen photos of Georgie? How old is he and might > >you tell his story? > > Georgie is my first cat, a pound cat, and I have had him since > september. My 17 year old Jack Russell Terrier passed away last July, Oh I'm sorry to hear this. Jack Russell's are wonderful dogs! How did you keep up with him? Such bundles of energry. > shortly after there was this cat that started coming around wanting > inside. I never really had any exposure to a cat before but this fluff > ball that kept visiting me really won me over. They can do that, can't they? :) >Before I was going > provide him a home I put a collar and a little capsule with my name > and a note on it. Shortly after I received a call from the cats owner > saying that yes he does have a home. Aww. I was really kind of bummed out > over it so I made my way to the spca and this lively tuxedo cat, > Georgie, just stole my heart. The rest is history. We post photos on alt.binaries.pictures.animals. I'd love to see one of Georgie. I have a tuxedo named Buddha. I am putting a photo site together, then I'll post her photo. She has little white feet and a big white bib, a "bikini" and a messy white splotch on her nose. Welcome to the group! >We post photos on alt.binaries.pictures.animals. I'd >love to see one of Georgie. I have a tuxedo named [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >Welcome to the group! Thank you, little Georgie is up there now. The vet says he's under 2 years old. He's an indoor cat but he has numerous trees I've bought him that are positioned within cat's eye view of the birdfeeders so he's back and forth between rooms frequently. I'm thinking of adopting a friend for little Georgie, I'm just doing a bit of research on how to introduce a new cat into your home. I also have a vacation planned so I'll be doing this after July. Thanks for the response. > >We post photos on alt.binaries.pictures.animals. I'd > >love to see one of Georgie. I have a tuxedo named [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > to introduce a new cat into your home. I also have a vacation planned > so I'll be doing this after July. Thanks for the response. Thanks for posting the photo, I looked for it but it has not shown yet. I will check again after brunch. By the way, there has been a lot of discussion here about introducing cats, so a Google search might help. One of the most important things is how much space you have and how it is arranged. For example, when I introduced Cheeky and Buddha it was easier because we have three levels and they could each have one and meet in the middle when they wanted. I think it is a great idea to get Georgie a friend!! > >We post photos on alt.binaries.pictures.animals. I'd > >love to see one of Georgie. I have a tuxedo named [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Thank you, little Georgie is up there now. I have looked and looked but cannot find Georgie's photo. Did you see that it actually came through? No, they never came through, have to configure my newsreader to post binaries. BTW, the vet says that little Georgie is about 2 years old, perhaps a bit younger. I have a 3 bedroom rancher and live alone so there is plenty of room for another kittie. I have to go out of town in July so I'd probably be looking at anytime after that to introduce little Georgie to a roommate. >> >We post photos on alt.binaries.pictures.animals. I'd >> >love to see one of Georgie. I have a tuxedo named [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >I have looked and looked but cannot find Georgie's photo. >Did you see that it actually came through? > No, they never came through, have to configure my newsreader to post > binaries. Ah, okay, I thought it was me. Let me know when you get them up. It's kind of fun to create a free web site at yahoo.com or any of many free photo sites, too. >BTW, the vet says that little Georgie is about 2 years old, > perhaps a bit younger. I have a 3 bedroom rancher and live alone so > there is plenty of room for another kittie. That's optimal, and will make it easier. >I have to go out of town > in July so I'd probably be looking at anytime after that to introduce > little Georgie to a roommate. I wish I could have another kitty! It will be so much fun having another one. There have to be lots who need good homes around your area--they are everywhere. Keep us updated about the kitties you're looking at. And do search the archives for introduction information. When I introduced my two-year-old to my 7-year-old I was in a similar situation--lots of room and nooks and crannies--and could just give each her territory (no closed doors worked find) and let them find one another in their own time. Feeding time is the great equalizer! Though I fed them on different floors to avoid conflicts over the food, they (as all cats do!) learned the sounds of feeding time and would meet me in the kitchen. That is were all the first nose-sniffing happened. The dumbest thing we did was carry one cat into another cat's territory. Whichever cat was the "intruder" got highly agitated and fearful while the other was very vigilant. We never did that again and eventually they met on their own ground in their own time. You might want to think about a girl cat--only because (and this is my impression, not science!) I have noticed in this group that most of the bad conflicts in introductions are male on male. [Also I have a soft spot for girly cats, :) ] Yes, a girl cat is what I will be looking for. It probably won't happen until mid summer but there are the local spca and the cat rescue group "Katie's Place" so there are lots of cats. > Yes, a girl cat is what I will be looking for. It probably won't > happen until mid summer but there are the local spca and the cat > rescue group "Katie's Place" so there are lots of cats. Yes, unfortunately there are lots of cats available everywhere. I don't know if it makes a difference, but I adopted a 2 year old to keep my 6-year old company, rather than a kitten. I think the fact that Cheeky was less rambunctious than a baby would be helped the introduction. On that topic, I also chose a cat that had been at the shelter for some time. In her case, four months. I did this because I felt for the cats that were there for a while (it was packed, very little room to move about) and because I figured the staff could tell me about her as they had had some time to watch her. (This is why I would choose a no-kill shelter over the pound or spca.) And--such close quarters trains a cat to eliminate in the box, as there are few other places to eliminate unless they want to soil the places where they sleep and eat. It has worked out wonderfully. Cheeky cost $90 and of course came with all her shots and spayed. She is the most delightful cat I have ever had, so affectionate and smart! I hope you will keep us posted when the time comes to adopt. I'm excited for you! |
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