Cat biting Cat

I have read and read and read here about what to do about my problem with my cats, but I need to discuss it with you all.

Samuel is my first cat. He is 1 1/2 years old. He and my Dachshund get along great. They have always played rough together, but still have been real buddies. The dog is 3. About 6 months ago, Samuel started biting the dog on the neck, but she was as lively as he was and was able to get away and hold her own. They are evenly matched.

Four months ago, Bob turned up on my back porch. He was almost dead from starvation and parasites and appeared to have been abused and dumped. The vet said that he is about 2 1/2, so he is about a year older than Samuel. I introduced Bob into the household very, very slowly and all seemed to be going well. After he had been here for about a month, Samuel bit Bob on the neck and Bob had to be on antibiotics and then after his recovery Bob and Samuel seemed to be doing fine again. A couple months ago, they even started playing together and rough housing, and seemed happy with their lives.

About a month ago, Samuel started biting Bob again. The only thing I can think of traumatic that happened at the time is that I shut Samuel's tail in a drawer that day. He was not severely hurt but has been a grump with Bob ever since. I have been letting them play and fuss and work things out, but as soon as Samuel bites Bob, I have been putting Samuel in his laundry room for a time out. After he calms down, I let him out again. The laundry room has been Samuel's personal room since I got him, so he owns that room.

I also bought a Feliway plug-in, but it doesn't seem to make much difference. It has been plugged in for a couple weeks.

Both cats are neutered and were both probably neutered since they were kittens. I got Samuel from the Humane Society. Both were also front declawed, which worked for us since neither is ever allowed out. I sort of figure that is part of what is causing the problem with biting, but that is how my cats came.

I really want to work this out without rehoming either cat. Does anyone have any more suggestions?

Here is a picture of what happens when Samuel loses his head.

Looks to me like he's just trying to play fight - you should SEE my two tumble around and bite at each other's faces, necks, bellies, feet, tails - it's a free-for-all, and they're just having fun!

Of course - looking at the picture some more, it may be male dominance behavior - just showing which one is the boss, is all. As long as there is no yowling or bloody battles, I really wouldn't worry much.

It looks just like male dominence behavior to me. The one on top is trying to show the other he is alpha. Is there ever major bloodshed besides that first time when the one had to be on antibiotics? If not I would just let them be. They will eventually NEED to work out who is alpha cat and you have to let them do it.

OK. I guess I fear, because Samuel bit Bob and made him need the antibiotics last summer. However, Bob is healthy now and he was in a bad way last summer.

I will let them work it out and see what happens. They should be pretty evenly matched since they are the same size.

That was a good picture - thanks for providing it - it shows exactly what my KiKi does, especially with "little" Simon. Only difference is KiKi is actually standing over his body straddling it.

One time they're playing, the next KiKi has decided that Simon needs some ?discipline? - and Simon just lays there and looks up at me until he's had enough, then he rolls over and out of the "hold" and pushes KiKi off.

I've been "crazy" a couple of times and actually stuck my finger inside of the "bite" where KiKi is holding Simon - to see what kind of bite is involved - and KiKi's really not "biting", it's more like he's "mouthing" Simon.

I think that after a while, KiKi actually does begin to "bite" Simon and that's why Simon gets aggravated and complains, & then rolls out of the hold. It seems that he couldn't get out of the hold so easily if KiKi was actually biting him hard ??? I'm guessing, but maybe it's like someone beginning to pinch you, then if the pinch gets painful, you do something to stop the pain ??? Like I said, I'm only guessing here.

Another kind of "biting" that's scary: KiKi will be grooming Phoebe, then hold her with his mouth - looks like a bite - her under her chin, by her throat, NOW, that's really scary - but as long as Phoebe's eyes don't show any pain I have learned this "action" seems to be okay - but I still hold my breath when he does it. After a brief second, he then continues to groom her.

BTW - they are all declawed, too.

Originally Posted by GloriaJH

Another kind of "biting" that's scary: KiKi will be grooming Phoebe, then hold her with his mouth - looks like a bite - her under her chin, by her throat, NOW, that's really scary - but as long as Phoebe's eyes don't show any pain I have learned this "action" seems to be okay - but I still hold my breath when he does it. After a brief second, he then continues to groom her.

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That's EXACTLY what Swanie does to Cindy. I hate it. Any idea why they do that?

Samuel does the after grooming biting on the dog!!!! However, they grew up together and know how to handle each other. They are best friends.